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lattelibrarian's review
5.0
My coworker: Hey, this is a heavy book, don't read it before bed.
Me: Ooh, okay, gotcha.
Me, at 10 pm: /finishes the entire book
This was a book I didn't expect to absolutely love. It's filled with unfamiliar territory for me, such as boy main characters, rehabilitation centers, addiction. And yet the unfamiliar was made familiar the more that Zach dealt with and learned to understand his emotions. This is just a hugely touching, shocking, tormented, lovable book. How can it be all those things at once? I'm not sure, but it is.
In this rehabilitation center, there are other addictions that others face, there are roommates, counselors, therapists, friends. There's pain and sadness and anger, but there's also peace, adjustment, forgiveness. People leave when they feel ready. People leave because they don't feel ready. Hellos and goodbyes are equally heartbreaking. But oh, my god, will this book tear you apart. The first few chapters left me in a state of shock. The rest of the book had me sobbing in bed.
The slow reveal to Zach's past appeared to me to be incredibly well done--the not wanting to remember to finally being ready enough to confront the past, the reason why he was found drunk, passed out on the side of the road, why he's afraid to ever ask about his family, why some things make him dissociate. And the friends he makes along the way, Adam, Sharkey, and Rafael--RAFAEL, WE MUST TALK ABOUT HIM. I love him so, so much. Not all men--you're right, Rafael would NEVER. He is too sweet, caring, kind to ever let anything bad happen. I feel conflicted calling him a perfect man, given spoiler reasons, but he is truly one unforgettable character.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster is really something else. It's along the lines of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini, but with a much different tone. If you're looking for a book that will completely wreck you, this is it.
Review cross-listed here!
Me: Ooh, okay, gotcha.
Me, at 10 pm: /finishes the entire book
This was a book I didn't expect to absolutely love. It's filled with unfamiliar territory for me, such as boy main characters, rehabilitation centers, addiction. And yet the unfamiliar was made familiar the more that Zach dealt with and learned to understand his emotions. This is just a hugely touching, shocking, tormented, lovable book. How can it be all those things at once? I'm not sure, but it is.
In this rehabilitation center, there are other addictions that others face, there are roommates, counselors, therapists, friends. There's pain and sadness and anger, but there's also peace, adjustment, forgiveness. People leave when they feel ready. People leave because they don't feel ready. Hellos and goodbyes are equally heartbreaking. But oh, my god, will this book tear you apart. The first few chapters left me in a state of shock. The rest of the book had me sobbing in bed.
The slow reveal to Zach's past appeared to me to be incredibly well done--the not wanting to remember to finally being ready enough to confront the past, the reason why he was found drunk, passed out on the side of the road, why he's afraid to ever ask about his family, why some things make him dissociate. And the friends he makes along the way, Adam, Sharkey, and Rafael--RAFAEL, WE MUST TALK ABOUT HIM. I love him so, so much. Not all men--you're right, Rafael would NEVER. He is too sweet, caring, kind to ever let anything bad happen. I feel conflicted calling him a perfect man, given spoiler reasons, but he is truly one unforgettable character.
Last Night I Sang to the Monster is really something else. It's along the lines of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Vizzini, but with a much different tone. If you're looking for a book that will completely wreck you, this is it.
Review cross-listed here!
bellsb00ksandwritings's review
5.0
I am trying to find the right words to describe how much this book moved me, but I know I will never succeed.
What a beautiful story. It broke my heart into a million pieces, but at the same time it had the power to heal it in a way I hadn't thought possible.
This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads, not only of this year but in general as well. And even though I already knew it after reading Ari & Dante, Benjamin Alire Sáenz is now officially one of my favourite authors.
What a beautiful story. It broke my heart into a million pieces, but at the same time it had the power to heal it in a way I hadn't thought possible.
This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads, not only of this year but in general as well. And even though I already knew it after reading Ari & Dante, Benjamin Alire Sáenz is now officially one of my favourite authors.
jwinchell's review
4.0
this was the first YA lit I remember tearing up over. Zach's story is excruciating, and I couldn't put it down.
lucelrod's review
5.0
I really don't know what I was waiting from this book before read it. I mean I'm just taked it because its from Ari and Dante's author but it was the right choice. I'm just fallen in love with this book, all the emotions and situations are real and serious.
I have never be in addictions or something like that but I know how is the life of addicts all their feelings are mixed and the loneliness the anger and sadness frecuently breaking their lifes.. A very good story, Im just want to go into the book for hug Zachary and tell to Rafael that he's one of the most beautiful humans in the world. I definitely will read a lot more of Benjamin Alire Saénz, he's a master for the writing, a master who expose real teenagers (and not too teenagers) problems and the feelings wich comes with these
I have never be in addictions or something like that but I know how is the life of addicts all their feelings are mixed and the loneliness the anger and sadness frecuently breaking their lifes.. A very good story, Im just want to go into the book for hug Zachary and tell to Rafael that he's one of the most beautiful humans in the world. I definitely will read a lot more of Benjamin Alire Saénz, he's a master for the writing, a master who expose real teenagers (and not too teenagers) problems and the feelings wich comes with these
justwanna2read's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mikeinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Me sorprendió. Este libro a un poco menos de la mitad porque encontraba al personaje muy depre, y sentía que en ese momento no me aparecía leer algo así. Ayer lo retomé y fue ver el libro con otros ojos.
Zach está en este lugar oscuro porque lo que tuvo que vivir fue fuertísimo e internalizó que el no merece nada y que el no es bueno, y hasta ahí entiendo, pero no me van los personajes negativos, y tuve conflicto con ello, sin embargo, al ser un libro tan cortito, las cosas no se quedan pegadas tan rápido.
El autor hace que te encariñes de sus personajes, es increíble, durante la lectura no fui mayor fan de Zach, pero al final del libro lo amaba y sentía tanto por el
Zach está en este lugar oscuro porque lo que tuvo que vivir fue fuertísimo e internalizó que el no merece nada y que el no es bueno, y hasta ahí entiendo, pero no me van los personajes negativos, y tuve conflicto con ello, sin embargo, al ser un libro tan cortito, las cosas no se quedan pegadas tan rápido.
El autor hace que te encariñes de sus personajes, es increíble, durante la lectura no fui mayor fan de Zach, pero al final del libro lo amaba y sentía tanto por el
swah's review
4.0
Solid 4.5
I found the ending to be a tad unrealistic and out of place, but I understand that everyone loves books that end on a happy note. Other than that, very well written story that I read in less than two days.
I found the ending to be a tad unrealistic and out of place, but I understand that everyone loves books that end on a happy note. Other than that, very well written story that I read in less than two days.
terrabme's review
4.0
At first this book was a really slow read for me and I didn't think I'd like it (or finish it), but it turned out to be a pretty good read. I'm leaning towards more of a 3.5 star rating, but it's too high to be a three star book.
readwithpassion's review
5.0
Zach is eighteen years old and in a rehabilitation center as an alcoholic, and he doesn't remember how he got there. He doesn't speak much, and it hurts to remember his past, so he feels trapped. This was an incredibly dark novel. It has a lot of angst, which I normally don't enjoy reading, but the main character has reason and justification for these emotions in relation to his past.