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Reviews
The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon—and me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart
stephxsu's review
5.0
E. Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books are, quite simply, some of the best studies of high school platonic and romantic interaction that ever exist. What I love about Roo and the books about her are how thoroughly and realistically complex the characters are. Teens do a lot of crazy things in high school, and there are never easy explanations for their motivations. Similarly, Roo is constantly trying to analyze her behavior and decide whether she is being a normal teenage girl or a horrible person.
This kind of three-dimensional psych study isn’t just limited to Roo, however. All of the other people in Roo’s life—with the exception of the adults—are prime candidates for loads of discussion. What makes them do what they do? Are they right to put so much blame on Roo for things going badly, or are they themselves also partially at fault? All the questions that teens subconsciously must answer in high school, and yet rarely have the ability to voice as clearly as Roo does.
The excellence doesn’t stop there, either! E. Lockhart not only creates wonderful characters, she also writes humorously. Roo has a habit of using footnotes liberally to either go off on tangents that usually involve cinema knowledge or to make a funny and/or informative note. The result is a book that is easy yet fun to read.
Due to E. Lockhart’s insightful observation about the behaviors of teenagers in a small school, as well as Roo’s admittedly dramatic life, the Ruby Oliver books would make great presents for teen girls who read a lot of manga but not many actual novels. The situations involving friends and love interests will be familiar to them, and the language will be accessible and enticing. And at the same time, there are plenty of smarts in this book to win anyone’s heart. If you want to relive those painful high school years of confusing and crazy emotions, this is a great series to pick up.
This kind of three-dimensional psych study isn’t just limited to Roo, however. All of the other people in Roo’s life—with the exception of the adults—are prime candidates for loads of discussion. What makes them do what they do? Are they right to put so much blame on Roo for things going badly, or are they themselves also partially at fault? All the questions that teens subconsciously must answer in high school, and yet rarely have the ability to voice as clearly as Roo does.
The excellence doesn’t stop there, either! E. Lockhart not only creates wonderful characters, she also writes humorously. Roo has a habit of using footnotes liberally to either go off on tangents that usually involve cinema knowledge or to make a funny and/or informative note. The result is a book that is easy yet fun to read.
Due to E. Lockhart’s insightful observation about the behaviors of teenagers in a small school, as well as Roo’s admittedly dramatic life, the Ruby Oliver books would make great presents for teen girls who read a lot of manga but not many actual novels. The situations involving friends and love interests will be familiar to them, and the language will be accessible and enticing. And at the same time, there are plenty of smarts in this book to win anyone’s heart. If you want to relive those painful high school years of confusing and crazy emotions, this is a great series to pick up.
labunnywtf's review
1.0
The thing about great YA novels is that it doesn't matter how old you are. You can appreciate them at any age.
I got about halfway through this book before I realized, and almost said aloud into my empty house, "I am too old for this shit."
I'm too old. I'm too old to understand why Ruby can't woman the fuck up, and speak to her friend. Why can't she woman the fuck up and stand up for herself. Why can't she woman the fuck up and stop needing her fainting couch with every single boy who shows an interest in her?
I'm not even saying woman the fuck up and get over her anxiety and panic attacks, because that is the best part of this series, is the way panic attacks and anxiety are handled by the author. The descriptions are great, and I can see this being a great series for anyone who has ever had a panic attack.
But FOR FUCK'S SAKE. I can't date Noel because Nora likes him and I can't tell Nora I want to date Noel because then Nora won't want to be my friend just like Kim did although Kim was a bad friend and stole my boyfriend and then everyone vilified me for it which is why I can't be a bad friend to Nora WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP, FIND SOME OVARIES AND MOVE FORWARD. FIND BETTER FRIENDS.
When she yelled at the guy for hurting the pygmy goat, I actually was SUPER happy and saw personal growth and then back slide, back slide, back slide. What the hell?
Yeah, I'm way too old for this series. So, I'm done.
I got about halfway through this book before I realized, and almost said aloud into my empty house, "I am too old for this shit."
I'm too old. I'm too old to understand why Ruby can't woman the fuck up, and speak to her friend. Why can't she woman the fuck up and stand up for herself. Why can't she woman the fuck up and stop needing her fainting couch with every single boy who shows an interest in her?
I'm not even saying woman the fuck up and get over her anxiety and panic attacks, because that is the best part of this series, is the way panic attacks and anxiety are handled by the author. The descriptions are great, and I can see this being a great series for anyone who has ever had a panic attack.
But FOR FUCK'S SAKE. I can't date Noel because Nora likes him and I can't tell Nora I want to date Noel because then Nora won't want to be my friend just like Kim did although Kim was a bad friend and stole my boyfriend and then everyone vilified me for it which is why I can't be a bad friend to Nora WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP, FIND SOME OVARIES AND MOVE FORWARD. FIND BETTER FRIENDS.
When she yelled at the guy for hurting the pygmy goat, I actually was SUPER happy and saw personal growth and then back slide, back slide, back slide. What the hell?
Yeah, I'm way too old for this series. So, I'm done.
steph01924's review
3.0
I have been waiting forever for this book at the library! I guess it was good thing to have a bit of a break between Ruby's neuroses, because sometimes she can get a bit repetitive.
I enjoyed this third installment. There was much less about Jackson (and the 'finale' of that relationship was quite satisfying. Bout time.) and more Noel. I liked Ruby taking charge of some parts of her life: getting her new job, getting her old job, the bake sale (ugh, marshmallows ARE nasty) and her frank talk with Nora, to an extent.
Sidenote: Ruby's mentions of Rabbit Fever kept reminding me of Georgina Nicholson's Red-Bottomosity.
I loved the little insight into Dr. Z's personal life and Ruby's 'internal' conversation at her one therapy session when she wants to question Dr. Z on what she saw.
I enjoyed this third installment. There was much less about Jackson (and the 'finale' of that relationship was quite satisfying. Bout time.) and more Noel. I liked Ruby taking charge of some parts of her life: getting her new job, getting her old job, the bake sale (ugh, marshmallows ARE nasty) and her frank talk with Nora, to an extent.
Spoiler
(Did Nora really like Noel first? I mean, maybe Ruby wasn't crazy about him right away, but I feel like she's been 'aware' of him for awhile, whereas Nora didn't know him well until the three started hanging out. I could be wrong. But that part irked me when Nora was all, I've liked him way longer than you!)Sidenote: Ruby's mentions of Rabbit Fever kept reminding me of Georgina Nicholson's Red-Bottomosity.
I loved the little insight into Dr. Z's personal life and Ruby's 'internal' conversation at her one therapy session when she wants to question Dr. Z on what she saw.
eatingwords's review
5.0
I just love Ruby Oliver.
She became more mature and I could empathize with her in this novel. She grew up a lot and as she began to reminisce about her current state of life I just thought how much she grew up in just three novels.
Also, the comical things and side plots are just hilarious. Her parents are so cool. As well as Dr. Z.
I will definitely read the last (?) book in the series pretty soon.
She became more mature and I could empathize with her in this novel. She grew up a lot and as she began to reminisce about her current state of life I just thought how much she grew up in just three novels.
Also, the comical things and side plots are just hilarious. Her parents are so cool. As well as Dr. Z.
I will definitely read the last (?) book in the series pretty soon.
cburgbennett's review
3.0
haha, these books really do hit the spot. They are incredibly witty and heartbreaking. I liked this one more than the other two. I felt like Ruby Oliver was finally figuring out what she wanted in her life. This book is brutally honest/true. No one's life is perfect. No one is perfect. But you can always fix your mistakes even if people won't forgive you.
*Like the other two there is swearing in this book.
Spoiler
She finally realized that her ex-boyfriend Jackson is a total 100% jerk. And that her two ex-best friends aren't nice people either, but that she still can respect them. She realized that she loves Noel, and that this will hurt her friend Nora. She tries to be a good friend but fails.*Like the other two there is swearing in this book.
paul_1312's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I honestly know nothing other than these books that is better to brighten your mood, whether I'm going through something, having trouble with my own (grown up) love life or mental health or both... Ruby Oliver will be there to make it all a little lighter. Lockhart is a genius force to be reckoned with!
nlbohr22's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yousrabushehri's review against another edition
4.0
A lot of reviews on this book kept saying that this third book in the series is a little bit of a drag, and that the end was the best part. I honestly thought the entire book was fantastic and was very "Ruby Oliver". I loved it.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
My review for books 2-4 in the series can be found here.