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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review on my blog: http://bookchick2013.blogspot.com/2014/10/review-truth-about-alice-by-jennifer.html
"It's true. ASK ANYBODY."
I loved this book. Knowing that this sort of stuff really happens was... hard. It is hard to imagine this can happen to a single person and reading it from all the points of view (the bully, the bystander, the ex-friend, and the witness) was interesting. As a reader, you always want to know what other people's perspective is on the story and I definitely got to know. The story was one you don't want to miss. It's heartbreaking and interesting: something many realistic books lack.
Alice was called many names. Honestly, in the end I was expecting something totally different then what really happened. I'm not going to mention anything, as this is spoiler free. However, I'm sure those of you who have read it know what I'm writing about.
I loved this book and it's characters. They were so typical stereotypes; and that made it so interesting! It was amazing that there were stereotypes because everyone at school is put into stereotypes and usually act the type! So why try to pretend that doesn't exist in school? I loved the fact that the author had her characters this way!
Kelsey was something else; I couldn't believe how she treated her FRIEND. I was appalled at how she could just say things about Alice and think it's ok because she wasn't the one being picked on. She always thought she knew what it was like to be bullied, but that is not excuse to bully someone else. If she knew what it was like, she wouldn't be doing it to her friend.
Kurt was my favourite point of view to read from. He was interesting and had so many secrets surrounding him. I loved how loyal he was to his friends and the little secret between him and "other" (no spoilers, I promise) was so great! I was happy that someone would actually do something for his friends!
Elaine was the popular girl with the infamous party. If I'm not mistaken, she had an eating disorder. Her mother made her count carbs and go to weight watchers with her and I felt bad for her to be honest. No teenager should have to do that and watch her weight because you're still a kid!
Josh was the best friend to Brandon, aka the guy "Alice Franklin killed." Did she really kill him? You have to read to really know. I loved reading Josh's point of view, but I started to feel he had feelings for Brandon. I couldn't really tell if they were more friend feelings, or boyfriend type feelings but they were definitely there. I think the only problem I had with Josh was that he trusted Brandon so easily, as he should, but if he even felt a small amount of concern for Alice, why didn't he ask her?
In a wrap-up, this book is amazing. If you are a teenager you should read it. Whether your Elaine, or Josh, or Kurt, read it. You will appreciate it. Honestly, if I had a say, I'd make all teenagers read it. It is heartbreaking and makes you rethink the way you treat people.
"It's true. ASK ANYBODY."
I loved this book. Knowing that this sort of stuff really happens was... hard. It is hard to imagine this can happen to a single person and reading it from all the points of view (the bully, the bystander, the ex-friend, and the witness) was interesting. As a reader, you always want to know what other people's perspective is on the story and I definitely got to know. The story was one you don't want to miss. It's heartbreaking and interesting: something many realistic books lack.
Alice was called many names. Honestly, in the end I was expecting something totally different then what really happened. I'm not going to mention anything, as this is spoiler free. However, I'm sure those of you who have read it know what I'm writing about.
I loved this book and it's characters. They were so typical stereotypes; and that made it so interesting! It was amazing that there were stereotypes because everyone at school is put into stereotypes and usually act the type! So why try to pretend that doesn't exist in school? I loved the fact that the author had her characters this way!
Kelsey was something else; I couldn't believe how she treated her FRIEND. I was appalled at how she could just say things about Alice and think it's ok because she wasn't the one being picked on. She always thought she knew what it was like to be bullied, but that is not excuse to bully someone else. If she knew what it was like, she wouldn't be doing it to her friend.
Kurt was my favourite point of view to read from. He was interesting and had so many secrets surrounding him. I loved how loyal he was to his friends and the little secret between him and "other" (no spoilers, I promise) was so great! I was happy that someone would actually do something for his friends!
Elaine was the popular girl with the infamous party. If I'm not mistaken, she had an eating disorder. Her mother made her count carbs and go to weight watchers with her and I felt bad for her to be honest. No teenager should have to do that and watch her weight because you're still a kid!
Josh was the best friend to Brandon, aka the guy "Alice Franklin killed." Did she really kill him? You have to read to really know. I loved reading Josh's point of view, but I started to feel he had feelings for Brandon. I couldn't really tell if they were more friend feelings, or boyfriend type feelings but they were definitely there. I think the only problem I had with Josh was that he trusted Brandon so easily, as he should, but if he even felt a small amount of concern for Alice, why didn't he ask her?
In a wrap-up, this book is amazing. If you are a teenager you should read it. Whether your Elaine, or Josh, or Kurt, read it. You will appreciate it. Honestly, if I had a say, I'd make all teenagers read it. It is heartbreaking and makes you rethink the way you treat people.
This was a short, quick read told from multiple points of view. It can be a little painful to read at times. The bullying of Alice is a bit extreme. But it felt true to life, and even though most of the characters will stereotypical, it didn't feel forced or anything.
Most of the characters were not likable at all, but there were a couple that you were able to root for at least. I liked that the plot was told from the POV of a few different characters because it kept things fresh and kept the story moving. I think this would be a good read for teens.
Most of the characters were not likable at all, but there were a couple that you were able to root for at least. I liked that the plot was told from the POV of a few different characters because it kept things fresh and kept the story moving. I think this would be a good read for teens.
4.5 stars actually
Jennifer Matthieu uses multiple POVs to paint a detailed--and authentic-- portrait of Healy High's school slut.
I mean really, Alice is a total skank. She did two guys in one hour at a party. She had an abortion. And she was sexting the Healy High star quarterback when he lost control of his car and crashed. So she totally deserves everything that's happening to her. Losing friends. The slut stall. Hanging out with that total dweeb weirdo.
Two of my "aw hell no" buttons are in this book. First of all, multiple POV. (Shakes head) Why do authors do it? I hate having no one to hang my emotional hat on, so to speak. But in this book, not only were the voices distinct, but they were compelling, starting off with the surface slut-shaming and then slowly unraveling to raw, adolescent angst and anger underneath. And I didn't mind the POV switching at all. Matthieu worked some kind of magic there.
The other button would be the whole slut shaming thing, treating sex, and adolescent sex in particular, as dirty, shameful, and double-stereotyping. Here again this book pulls a fast one. Through the eyes of the POVs (popular girl, star football player, dweeb) we get not only a complex portrait of Alice and her quite empathetic and mature reaction to the hazing she endures, but also of her main tormentor, the quarterback who died.
Above all, this novel is an attempt to answer "why?". Why would teens do this to eachother? How could it get this far? What's behind all the hateful actions and words? And how do we survive it?
The only reason this doesn't get the 5 star rating from me is that I felt let down by the last chapter. It made things too neatly tied up in a bow, and the glimpse into Alice's inner emotional world made the complex one I'd built up from seeing her through other's eyes too simplified. It was the easy, clean way out, and I like the messy, complicated way better. Or at least it feels more true to me.
Not a book for the younger YA crowd, but definitely worth reading for older girls. Just so they can see what certain stereotypes can do to other girls.
Jennifer Matthieu uses multiple POVs to paint a detailed--and authentic-- portrait of Healy High's school slut.
I mean really, Alice is a total skank. She did two guys in one hour at a party. She had an abortion. And she was sexting the Healy High star quarterback when he lost control of his car and crashed. So she totally deserves everything that's happening to her. Losing friends. The slut stall. Hanging out with that total dweeb weirdo.
Two of my "aw hell no" buttons are in this book. First of all, multiple POV. (Shakes head) Why do authors do it? I hate having no one to hang my emotional hat on, so to speak. But in this book, not only were the voices distinct, but they were compelling, starting off with the surface slut-shaming and then slowly unraveling to raw, adolescent angst and anger underneath. And I didn't mind the POV switching at all. Matthieu worked some kind of magic there.
The other button would be the whole slut shaming thing, treating sex, and adolescent sex in particular, as dirty, shameful, and double-stereotyping. Here again this book pulls a fast one. Through the eyes of the POVs (popular girl, star football player, dweeb) we get not only a complex portrait of Alice and her quite empathetic and mature reaction to the hazing she endures, but also of her main tormentor, the quarterback who died.
Above all, this novel is an attempt to answer "why?". Why would teens do this to eachother? How could it get this far? What's behind all the hateful actions and words? And how do we survive it?
The only reason this doesn't get the 5 star rating from me is that I felt let down by the last chapter. It made things too neatly tied up in a bow, and the glimpse into Alice's inner emotional world made the complex one I'd built up from seeing her through other's eyes too simplified. It was the easy, clean way out, and I like the messy, complicated way better. Or at least it feels more true to me.
Not a book for the younger YA crowd, but definitely worth reading for older girls. Just so they can see what certain stereotypes can do to other girls.
Rumors make people think unkindly of others but are these rumors necessarily true?
This is basically what the book is about. It is told from different perspectives but the subject matter is the same --- Alice Franklin.
I felt sorry for Alice, because from what I read she was just a troubled young girl trying to be her own person. She wasn't a slut. She wasn't a label. But because of other people's insecurities, other people's pride and jealousy, she was defined by false labels.
Among all the characters in the book Kurt was my favorite. He was a genuinely good person. He had stood by Alice and he believed that she was worth so much more than how she was treated.
I felt bad for Kelsie, but it was her own insecurities that made her such a foul friend. I could only hope that she finds it in her to stop seeking popularity and start developing good personal values; to accept her past and move forward. After all, she is supposed to be a Christian.
As for Elaine and Josh, I did not really like their characters. But I do hope they eventually become better individuals.
Anyway, this book was good. I was happy with the ending especially since it was told through Alice's point of view.
This is basically what the book is about. It is told from different perspectives but the subject matter is the same --- Alice Franklin.
I felt sorry for Alice, because from what I read she was just a troubled young girl trying to be her own person. She wasn't a slut. She wasn't a label. But because of other people's insecurities, other people's pride and jealousy, she was defined by false labels.
Among all the characters in the book Kurt was my favorite. He was a genuinely good person. He had stood by Alice and he believed that she was worth so much more than how she was treated.
I felt bad for Kelsie, but it was her own insecurities that made her such a foul friend. I could only hope that she finds it in her to stop seeking popularity and start developing good personal values; to accept her past and move forward. After all, she is supposed to be a Christian.
As for Elaine and Josh, I did not really like their characters. But I do hope they eventually become better individuals.
Anyway, this book was good. I was happy with the ending especially since it was told through Alice's point of view.
I liked the first half more than I thought I would but then it sort of ran out of anywhere to go. Nice writing though.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good listen. I sadly don't have much else to say about it as I didn't connect with the characters and the ending was a little unsatisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death
Very quick read. Sucks you into the teen nonsense straight away.
I thought The Truth About Alice was just okay. I was intrigued by it, since I've seen it floating around, and decided to give it a read. I do like that it's a different take on slut-shaming and bullying, and that you see how other people see Alice. And I really like how Mathieu plays with the stereotypes- the popular girl hosting the party (Elaine), the former best friend (Kelsie), the best friend of the guy who died in a car accident because of Alice (Brandon), and the nerd who has a crush on Alice and is the only person willing to talk to her (Kurt). These are the people who tell Alice's story before we finally hear from Alice herself at the end of the book. I found myself hating pretty much all of the characters (except for Kurt who is pretty awesome, and Elaine, the popular girl because at least she owned it). I feel like we don't really get to know who Alice really is, because we pretty much see her through the eyes of other people. It makes me wish we got more than one chapter at the end of the book from her perspective.
I kind of don't blame her for not speaking up (at least that we see) because I'd probably do the same thing in her position. It is sort of frustrating, but her classmates also seem like the sort of people who wouldn't care what really happened, if they're anything like Elaine, Kelsie and Brandon. While the idea of multiple narrators was interesting, especially given that we don't really see Alice's side, something about it didn't completely work for me.
Rating: 2 stars. It was just okay, and it was an interesting way to tell a story that also didn't work as well as it could have.
Merged review:
I thought The Truth About Alice was just okay. I was intrigued by it, since I've seen it floating around, and decided to give it a read. I do like that it's a different take on slut-shaming and bullying, and that you see how other people see Alice. And I really like how Mathieu plays with the stereotypes- the popular girl hosting the party (Elaine), the former best friend (Kelsie), the best friend of the guy who died in a car accident because of Alice (Brandon), and the nerd who has a crush on Alice and is the only person willing to talk to her (Kurt). These are the people who tell Alice's story before we finally hear from Alice herself at the end of the book. I found myself hating pretty much all of the characters (except for Kurt who is pretty awesome, and Elaine, the popular girl because at least she owned it). I feel like we don't really get to know who Alice really is, because we pretty much see her through the eyes of other people. It makes me wish we got more than one chapter at the end of the book from her perspective.
I kind of don't blame her for not speaking up (at least that we see) because I'd probably do the same thing in her position. It is sort of frustrating, but her classmates also seem like the sort of people who wouldn't care what really happened, if they're anything like Elaine, Kelsie and Brandon. While the idea of multiple narrators was interesting, especially given that we don't really see Alice's side, something about it didn't completely work for me.
Rating: 2 stars. It was just okay, and it was an interesting way to tell a story that also didn't work as well as it could have.
I kind of don't blame her for not speaking up (at least that we see) because I'd probably do the same thing in her position. It is sort of frustrating, but her classmates also seem like the sort of people who wouldn't care what really happened, if they're anything like Elaine, Kelsie and Brandon. While the idea of multiple narrators was interesting, especially given that we don't really see Alice's side, something about it didn't completely work for me.
Rating: 2 stars. It was just okay, and it was an interesting way to tell a story that also didn't work as well as it could have.
Merged review:
I thought The Truth About Alice was just okay. I was intrigued by it, since I've seen it floating around, and decided to give it a read. I do like that it's a different take on slut-shaming and bullying, and that you see how other people see Alice. And I really like how Mathieu plays with the stereotypes- the popular girl hosting the party (Elaine), the former best friend (Kelsie), the best friend of the guy who died in a car accident because of Alice (Brandon), and the nerd who has a crush on Alice and is the only person willing to talk to her (Kurt). These are the people who tell Alice's story before we finally hear from Alice herself at the end of the book. I found myself hating pretty much all of the characters (except for Kurt who is pretty awesome, and Elaine, the popular girl because at least she owned it). I feel like we don't really get to know who Alice really is, because we pretty much see her through the eyes of other people. It makes me wish we got more than one chapter at the end of the book from her perspective.
I kind of don't blame her for not speaking up (at least that we see) because I'd probably do the same thing in her position. It is sort of frustrating, but her classmates also seem like the sort of people who wouldn't care what really happened, if they're anything like Elaine, Kelsie and Brandon. While the idea of multiple narrators was interesting, especially given that we don't really see Alice's side, something about it didn't completely work for me.
Rating: 2 stars. It was just okay, and it was an interesting way to tell a story that also didn't work as well as it could have.