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junotranscends's review
3.0
This was...an interesting book. Not interesting-bad or interesting-good, necessarily. Just...head-tilting interesting.
Cover: 3/5 I'm not a fan of the cover. I like the fish hooks, but the font is really not at all eye-catching and it looks messy. And, while the hooks are neat, I think it gives the book a far more ominous feel than it really has.
Characters: 4/5 I really adored Polly and Odd. Their interaction was interesting and realistic, and I enjoy watching them connect in this strange way. Romance? Well, there isn't any exactly, which didn't bother me. The very subtle, blink-and-you-miss-it pieces that are present are perfect.
Plot: 2/5 this is where the book felt short for me. So many questions left unanswered! I could have easily kept reading, and just felt...I don't know. We were given these interesting characters, learned about them, got close to them, and that was it. No real plot. And it wasn't a character-driven book in the sense that it felt complete how it was. I reached the end and wasn't satisfied because the book felt unfinished.
Writing: 4/5 Beautiful. Poetic and yet easy, reminds me of Hannah Moskowitz except not quite as sharp. Admittedly, the beginning of the book had me scratching my head so much as to what the point of everything was, that I only kept going because the writing was beautiful.
Overall: 3/5 I enjoyed it, and the writing was fantastic and the characters, interesting. I just wish there were more in the other areas.
Cover: 3/5 I'm not a fan of the cover. I like the fish hooks, but the font is really not at all eye-catching and it looks messy. And, while the hooks are neat, I think it gives the book a far more ominous feel than it really has.
Characters: 4/5 I really adored Polly and Odd. Their interaction was interesting and realistic, and I enjoy watching them connect in this strange way. Romance? Well, there isn't any exactly, which didn't bother me. The very subtle, blink-and-you-miss-it pieces that are present are perfect.
Plot: 2/5 this is where the book felt short for me. So many questions left unanswered! I could have easily kept reading, and just felt...I don't know. We were given these interesting characters, learned about them, got close to them, and that was it. No real plot. And it wasn't a character-driven book in the sense that it felt complete how it was. I reached the end and wasn't satisfied because the book felt unfinished.
Writing: 4/5 Beautiful. Poetic and yet easy, reminds me of Hannah Moskowitz except not quite as sharp. Admittedly, the beginning of the book had me scratching my head so much as to what the point of everything was, that I only kept going because the writing was beautiful.
Overall: 3/5 I enjoyed it, and the writing was fantastic and the characters, interesting. I just wish there were more in the other areas.
lferneau's review
5.0
I love the way this author puts her words together, every word means something and isn't just on the page to take up space. Great characters, perfect pacing...
immanythings's review
Another great coming of age and facing the who that we become in times of uncertainty. Odd Estes, is an interesting character and well as Polly. Polly faces so much as she is supposed to be enjoying this part of her newfound graduation freedom. But Polly like the other victims did not see it coming, MRSA. For her, a simple flaw on her skin, a pimple, and she lost an eye. the other had great losses as well. This was a good read and I would recommend for older teens.
heykellyjensen's review
4.0
Woolston's writing is so fresh and always subtle enough to leave a huge impact at the end. I'm going to walk around thinking about this one for a while.
On the surface, it's a story of how MRSA (any disease, really) impacts people. Deeper, though, it's a story of how people impact people.
One of the things I love about this book is how much science is infused into the story. It's not a science book, but it uses science to ground the narrative and the characters. The only knowledge I ever had about antelopes was that they are documents (Google, kids), but now I know oh so much more. The entire conception metaphor with the antelope merges right with Polly's story.
What a smart little book.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/catch-release-by-blythe-woolston.html
On the surface, it's a story of how MRSA (any disease, really) impacts people. Deeper, though, it's a story of how people impact people.
One of the things I love about this book is how much science is infused into the story. It's not a science book, but it uses science to ground the narrative and the characters. The only knowledge I ever had about antelopes was that they are documents (Google, kids), but now I know oh so much more. The entire conception metaphor with the antelope merges right with Polly's story.
What a smart little book.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/catch-release-by-blythe-woolston.html
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Erin
Cover Story: Spine-tingling
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Straight To The Gut
Bonus Factors: Fishing, Road Trip, Edward Gorey
Terrifying Factor: MRSA
Relationship Status: Unlikley Besties
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Spine-tingling
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Straight To The Gut
Bonus Factors: Fishing, Road Trip, Edward Gorey
Terrifying Factor: MRSA
Relationship Status: Unlikley Besties
Read the full book report here.
swirlnswing's review
3.0
I have to be honest: the premise of this book is among the strangest I’ve read in a long while, which is rather impressive if you knew some of the books I’ve read and generally enjoyed. I say that because the catalyst to this entire story is this: A high school girl and a few other unfortunate souls contract MRSA. Don’t know what MRSA is? Well, it’s the flesh-eating disease. And poor Polly’s face was mauled rather terribly by it.
The writing moves easily, even when depicting some rather gruesome detail (i.e. Polly’s scarring), but it took me a while to understand where the novel was going, as well as what its intent was. The story itself follows Polly as she and an acquaintance, aptly named Odd, go on a fishing trip. They are not romantically inclined, not really, but maybe they are. They are imperfect and human, and through their story, Woolston showcases the human condition when faced with overwhelming odds. Do you collapse inward? Do you blame the world for the things you’re fighting? How can you express yourself when no one will listen? What kind of future can you make for yourself when every plan you made is shattered and tossed aside in a moment’s time?
My favorite parts of this story are the quiet ways that Woolston showed but did not tell. Whether she was referring to the maybe/maybe not strains of romance developing between Polly and Odd or the nearly silent revelations Polly has regarding her lot in life and how she wants to view both herself and her future, it’s smartly done. And, I really loved the way that Polly’s growth was steady but almost imperceptible, unless you were paying close attention.
So, why only 3 stars, you ask, instead of a more shining rating?
Quite simple, really: It took me a very long time to become invested in either of these characters. Polly required significantly less time than Odd, but still, it was well after the halfway point of the novel that I felt any kinship with her, which made the book difficult to enjoy, as she’s the narrator. However, particularly with regard to the last handful of chapters, by the end of this book, I was happy with the resolution and character growth, and felt confident that both Polly and Odd would enjoy their futures, both in the small ways they will likely interact and apart.
Interesting read, interesting characters, and at the end of the day, an interesting premise.
3.5 stars.
The writing moves easily, even when depicting some rather gruesome detail (i.e. Polly’s scarring), but it took me a while to understand where the novel was going, as well as what its intent was. The story itself follows Polly as she and an acquaintance, aptly named Odd, go on a fishing trip. They are not romantically inclined, not really, but maybe they are. They are imperfect and human, and through their story, Woolston showcases the human condition when faced with overwhelming odds. Do you collapse inward? Do you blame the world for the things you’re fighting? How can you express yourself when no one will listen? What kind of future can you make for yourself when every plan you made is shattered and tossed aside in a moment’s time?
My favorite parts of this story are the quiet ways that Woolston showed but did not tell. Whether she was referring to the maybe/maybe not strains of romance developing between Polly and Odd or the nearly silent revelations Polly has regarding her lot in life and how she wants to view both herself and her future, it’s smartly done. And, I really loved the way that Polly’s growth was steady but almost imperceptible, unless you were paying close attention.
So, why only 3 stars, you ask, instead of a more shining rating?
Quite simple, really: It took me a very long time to become invested in either of these characters. Polly required significantly less time than Odd, but still, it was well after the halfway point of the novel that I felt any kinship with her, which made the book difficult to enjoy, as she’s the narrator. However, particularly with regard to the last handful of chapters, by the end of this book, I was happy with the resolution and character growth, and felt confident that both Polly and Odd would enjoy their futures, both in the small ways they will likely interact and apart.
Interesting read, interesting characters, and at the end of the day, an interesting premise.
3.5 stars.
dtaylorbooks's review
4.0
Aside from the fact that I would be perfectly content living in a bubble as I now see little squiggly germy death on every door handle, I hate it when I'm at a loss for words on a book. Like stomp my feet, hold my breath until the words come hate. Considering that'd be counter-productive I won't do it. But it doesn't make me happy.
There is nothing bad about CATCH & RELEASE. Not a thing. Except it might make you a disciplined germaphobe to an extreme. But aside from that, there's nothing even remotely wrong about it. The voice is perfect. And I mean perfect. Woolston has captured Polly's voice so amazingly that that's all I can say about it. It's amazing. Reading Polly's words you get a sense of the person that she used to be before MRSA. There's a hint of it still lingering but it's all dripping in bitterness and disdain because of what she's lost. There were times where I was getting frustrated with how she was thinking and reacting to things but you catch yourself. Instead of spiraling the thought about her being an overreacting drama queen, the words hitch in your brain and you can't help but ask yourself, 'if you lost a third of your face, including one of your eyes, how would you feel?' It would be hard enough for an adult to cope with something like that but a teenager? At the beginning of the book Polly's consigned herself to her couch for the rest of her life. Her life is over. By the end she's been, well, released, and you watch her transform from someone who hides, who throws in the cards, who wants revenge, to someone that just releases all of that anger and hatred and bitterness and starts over. And you can feel how monumental that step was.
I was less than thrilled with Odd but his reactions to things become clearer at the end of the story so I won't ruin that one. But it's funny with Odd because the story is in Polly's voice so you see him as she sees him and at times he can be a dick. But then you get to see Polly through Odd's eyes and it's when you can get out of her head and see from another angle how she was acting and how it was perceived by others that maybe it was a little over the top. Considering this was viewed by another MRSA survivor that lost his leg, he could relate to her pain and as such is in a position to tell her to get over it, in his own unique way.
The dirt and grime and grit that they slough through on their trip is something palpable. Especially when Polly gets her period. I'll leave you to that. But you get a sense that as they travel along, they're picking up more and more crap but leaving just as much of it behind. They're both coming to terms with what's happened to them but they're doing it in the only way they each know how. As the road before them becomes less and less visible, they each take their own paths and any fear that's there manifests and then fizzles as one steps up to help the other. You can't help but watch the steps up they take, some of the tumbles that result, but the ultimate moving on that they're both doing.
Before this runs the risk of de-evolving into a nonsensical meandering of a review I'll end it here. I'll conclude with the offering of awesomeness to that which is CATCH & RELEASE. While I loved it, I wasn't in love it with, hence "just" a four rating. It is truly awesome but it didn't quite hit me in my cockle region to rank it higher. But it's more than just your average contemporary novel about teens coming to terms with themselves and finding their place in life. These teens had something monstrous happen to them and as a result were effectively pushed out of society to deal with it on their own. Which they did. And they're forcing their way back in. You can't help but feel moved as you read it. And just a little squicked out. I'll be honest. I micromanage my papercuts now.
There is nothing bad about CATCH & RELEASE. Not a thing. Except it might make you a disciplined germaphobe to an extreme. But aside from that, there's nothing even remotely wrong about it. The voice is perfect. And I mean perfect. Woolston has captured Polly's voice so amazingly that that's all I can say about it. It's amazing. Reading Polly's words you get a sense of the person that she used to be before MRSA. There's a hint of it still lingering but it's all dripping in bitterness and disdain because of what she's lost. There were times where I was getting frustrated with how she was thinking and reacting to things but you catch yourself. Instead of spiraling the thought about her being an overreacting drama queen, the words hitch in your brain and you can't help but ask yourself, 'if you lost a third of your face, including one of your eyes, how would you feel?' It would be hard enough for an adult to cope with something like that but a teenager? At the beginning of the book Polly's consigned herself to her couch for the rest of her life. Her life is over. By the end she's been, well, released, and you watch her transform from someone who hides, who throws in the cards, who wants revenge, to someone that just releases all of that anger and hatred and bitterness and starts over. And you can feel how monumental that step was.
I was less than thrilled with Odd but his reactions to things become clearer at the end of the story so I won't ruin that one. But it's funny with Odd because the story is in Polly's voice so you see him as she sees him and at times he can be a dick. But then you get to see Polly through Odd's eyes and it's when you can get out of her head and see from another angle how she was acting and how it was perceived by others that maybe it was a little over the top. Considering this was viewed by another MRSA survivor that lost his leg, he could relate to her pain and as such is in a position to tell her to get over it, in his own unique way.
The dirt and grime and grit that they slough through on their trip is something palpable. Especially when Polly gets her period. I'll leave you to that. But you get a sense that as they travel along, they're picking up more and more crap but leaving just as much of it behind. They're both coming to terms with what's happened to them but they're doing it in the only way they each know how. As the road before them becomes less and less visible, they each take their own paths and any fear that's there manifests and then fizzles as one steps up to help the other. You can't help but watch the steps up they take, some of the tumbles that result, but the ultimate moving on that they're both doing.
Before this runs the risk of de-evolving into a nonsensical meandering of a review I'll end it here. I'll conclude with the offering of awesomeness to that which is CATCH & RELEASE. While I loved it, I wasn't in love it with, hence "just" a four rating. It is truly awesome but it didn't quite hit me in my cockle region to rank it higher. But it's more than just your average contemporary novel about teens coming to terms with themselves and finding their place in life. These teens had something monstrous happen to them and as a result were effectively pushed out of society to deal with it on their own. Which they did. And they're forcing their way back in. You can't help but feel moved as you read it. And just a little squicked out. I'll be honest. I micromanage my papercuts now.
amdame1's review
2.0
Polly and Odd are survivors of a MRSA outbreak. They weren't really friends before, but now they are considered outcasts by everyone else who think they may still be contagious. In addition, they have some physical deformities as a result of the illness, which also sets them apart. One day Odd invites Polly to go fishing. Her mom urges her to go, even though Polly would rather not. Turns out, Odd has some other plans in mind and they end up on a crazy road trip involving fish, an old Cadillac, marshmallows, and a loaded gun. Some swearing and graphic language. The characters and story line never really seem to come together; it also seemed preachy and didactic throughout.
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