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hrh_victoria's review against another edition
4.0
We read this book in an upper-level course on memory in the 20th century American novel. I was impressed by Danticat's portrayal of a lone twin coping with grief and the glimpses we get of Giselle's mind. We never get a solid resolution in this book, but I think that works in its favor, considering the book's message.
twopurplebookends's review
4.0
A beautifully written and narrated book. I will definitely pass this along to my daughter.
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
5.0
Book #86 Read in 2015
Untwine by Edwidge Danticat (YA)
In graduate school, I read a book by this author and loved it. Several years ago, I read another YA book by her and loved that too. Therefore, this one was a no-brainer to request for review. It did not disappoint. Isabella and Giselle are identical twins. On their way to a school concert, the unthinkable happens and the twins, along with their parents, are in a horrific car crash. One twin lives; one twin dies. How does the family cope with this? How does the surviving twin move on with her life?
This book is well written and shows insight to the complication of family and how tragedy can bond people together. While a quick read, this book packs an emotional punch on many levels. The family is one that readers will care about and want to see them heal. I think high school girls and adults would enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Untwine by Edwidge Danticat (YA)
In graduate school, I read a book by this author and loved it. Several years ago, I read another YA book by her and loved that too. Therefore, this one was a no-brainer to request for review. It did not disappoint. Isabella and Giselle are identical twins. On their way to a school concert, the unthinkable happens and the twins, along with their parents, are in a horrific car crash. One twin lives; one twin dies. How does the family cope with this? How does the surviving twin move on with her life?
This book is well written and shows insight to the complication of family and how tragedy can bond people together. While a quick read, this book packs an emotional punch on many levels. The family is one that readers will care about and want to see them heal. I think high school girls and adults would enjoy this book.
I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
toksyk27's review against another edition
5.0
Edwidge Danticat books almost ALWAYS read like poetry to me. This YA story of grief and tragic loss is so beautifully written. Especially love her portrayal of middle class Haitian immigrants and 'Little Haiti' community in Miami
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
This is dark character driven YA, an exploration of grief and loss and family.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
Man, this was a very emotional read. I thought it dragged on for a while, but overall was a sweet story about sisters, love, life, and losing a loved one.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
I actually coughed up the cash to buy this book in hardcover, because it just looked so beautiful. The light blue background, the tree branches, the hearts, the poetic title...it spoke to me.
Of course, the morning I put the book into my work bag also happened to be the same morning I failed to tightly seal my coffee thermos, which was—you guessed it—also in my bag.
You win some, you lose some.
Fortunately, by lunchtime the book had mostly dried, so no reading time was lost in the tragedy. And not even java-tinted pages could detract from how incredibly beautiful this book is, in design but more importantly in content and voice.
Isabelle and Giselle are twins, teenage girls in the back seat of their parents' car on their way to a school concert. Their car is broadsided, and Giselle wakes up in the hospital with only murky memories of the crash and what happened after. She isn't able to move or speak, so she's left to puzzle everything out alone in her head: what happened to the rest of her family? Why are the police saying the wreck might not have been an accident? And why do the doctors keep calling her Isabelle?
I don't really go in for super-sad, sappy fare. If Untwine had just been a book about a girl who suffers a tragedy, I would have abandoned it quickly with no remorse. No cover is beautiful enough to keep me invested in a sobfest. But the mystery element of the book is surprisingly well-developed and compelling. I wanted to know what really happened as badly as Giselle did, and the answers, when they came, were poignant and heartbreaking and still somehow satisfying.
I've been curious about Haitian-American Danticat's writing probably ever since [b:Breath, Eyes, Memory|5186|Breath, Eyes, Memory |Edwidge Danticat|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423684958s/5186.jpg|459447] was on Oprah's list years ago, but never made the time to check her out. I think Untwine was the perfect introduction. There are moments of real beauty in her prose. If she can write this lovely a book for a young adult audience, I can't imagine not liking her adult fiction offerings.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Of course, the morning I put the book into my work bag also happened to be the same morning I failed to tightly seal my coffee thermos, which was—you guessed it—also in my bag.
You win some, you lose some.
Fortunately, by lunchtime the book had mostly dried, so no reading time was lost in the tragedy. And not even java-tinted pages could detract from how incredibly beautiful this book is, in design but more importantly in content and voice.
Isabelle and Giselle are twins, teenage girls in the back seat of their parents' car on their way to a school concert. Their car is broadsided, and Giselle wakes up in the hospital with only murky memories of the crash and what happened after. She isn't able to move or speak, so she's left to puzzle everything out alone in her head: what happened to the rest of her family? Why are the police saying the wreck might not have been an accident? And why do the doctors keep calling her Isabelle?
I don't really go in for super-sad, sappy fare. If Untwine had just been a book about a girl who suffers a tragedy, I would have abandoned it quickly with no remorse. No cover is beautiful enough to keep me invested in a sobfest. But the mystery element of the book is surprisingly well-developed and compelling. I wanted to know what really happened as badly as Giselle did, and the answers, when they came, were poignant and heartbreaking and still somehow satisfying.
I've been curious about Haitian-American Danticat's writing probably ever since [b:Breath, Eyes, Memory|5186|Breath, Eyes, Memory |Edwidge Danticat|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1423684958s/5186.jpg|459447] was on Oprah's list years ago, but never made the time to check her out. I think Untwine was the perfect introduction. There are moments of real beauty in her prose. If she can write this lovely a book for a young adult audience, I can't imagine not liking her adult fiction offerings.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
missy06's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25