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the_reading_goblin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
Going into The Movie Version I didn't really know what to expect, from the author as well as the book in general, I just knew the synopsis drew me in and I had to know more. When I began reading I initially liked the relationship between Amelia and Toby, how they were there for each other, knew what the other wanted, and especially loved the movie quotes where they randomly said a quote and waited for the other to correctly name where it was from.
Now before I get to the actual review part, it's going to be vague and hopefully not spoil it for those who have yet to read The Movie Version. First of all I really enjoyed reading this book, I loved seeing family dynamics that felt real, working parents at thier own business working long hours, older siblings (Amelia & Toby) expected to look after thier younger twin brothers when thier Grandmother wasn't available. Everything in thier life is going great, but Amelia goes away during the summer for a job and when she comes back her brother is a completely different person. He sits in his room smoking pot, isn't bothered with school, and just isn't the person she knows. But she doesn't want her parents to find out and covers for him a lot, especially when he disappears for twenty four hours with no contact with anybody. What follows is a story of shock, sadness, but also hope, that there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel.
For me Amelia definitely made some bad choices, she chose to ignore the problem, refused to acknowledge what was really going on, and did anything she could to make herself busy, even joining a video club and drivers ed. I think her feelings were misguided in some instances, and a lot of that went towards Epstein, her summer boyfriend and occasional hookup. But she also accomplished a lot of things. She overcame her fear of driving which does a lot for herself and her brother later in the book, and also learned that she can't deal with everything herself, that it's OK to talk about what she is feeling.
Final Verdict
The Movie Version was a book I really enjoyed, and although it didn't blow me away it definitely drew me into the story. I liked the characters and how the whole situation was dealt with in a very tasteful but informative way.
Now before I get to the actual review part, it's going to be vague and hopefully not spoil it for those who have yet to read The Movie Version. First of all I really enjoyed reading this book, I loved seeing family dynamics that felt real, working parents at thier own business working long hours, older siblings (Amelia & Toby) expected to look after thier younger twin brothers when thier Grandmother wasn't available. Everything in thier life is going great, but Amelia goes away during the summer for a job and when she comes back her brother is a completely different person. He sits in his room smoking pot, isn't bothered with school, and just isn't the person she knows. But she doesn't want her parents to find out and covers for him a lot, especially when he disappears for twenty four hours with no contact with anybody. What follows is a story of shock, sadness, but also hope, that there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel.
For me Amelia definitely made some bad choices, she chose to ignore the problem, refused to acknowledge what was really going on, and did anything she could to make herself busy, even joining a video club and drivers ed. I think her feelings were misguided in some instances, and a lot of that went towards Epstein, her summer boyfriend and occasional hookup. But she also accomplished a lot of things. She overcame her fear of driving which does a lot for herself and her brother later in the book, and also learned that she can't deal with everything herself, that it's OK to talk about what she is feeling.
Final Verdict
The Movie Version was a book I really enjoyed, and although it didn't blow me away it definitely drew me into the story. I liked the characters and how the whole situation was dealt with in a very tasteful but informative way.
dearsayuri's review against another edition
3.0
"It doesn't get easier[...] You just get more used to it."
Find all my reviews on my blog
I would like to thank Amulet Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
To be frank, I am not sure how to describe The Movie Version. I had quite a few problems with it right from the start. I expected it to be a light and quirky read as the description suggests. In fact, there is pretty much nothing close to what the blurb promises. I just wish I knew what I was getting myself into because there is so so so many things out of place in The Movie Version. However, despite being such strange and low-key disturbing novel, I liked it. I want to sleep on it a few more days to actually let it in. I guess, that is the beauty of it. The Movie Version takes time to process.
I do not want to throw big words around but I do have a first-hand experience with mental illness. I am no stranger to seeing how people react to it. The peculiarity is that they have different reactions. And they are not perfect. And you never know what to expect. However, despite having enough knowledge about whole mental illness business I was deeply annoyed with Amelia.
"He said mental illness could devastate a whole family. Am I devastated? Because mostly I'm speechless."
I honestly felt like I was counseling myself into accepting her behavior and her as a person. I struggled to see her as not just Amelia Anderson at that moment but as a girl who she used to be before. I think that's the reason (beside all of the obvious ones) why I was so hostile towards her. I did not get to know the before Amelia. Same applies to Toby. If only we got a decent introduction to those two before, the story could have been so much more heart-breakingly beautiful.
Despite finding Amelia very unlikable, I could see her as a human. You know, she did not exactly have it perfect but it was still great. Now, things were changing and considering that she was practically oblivious to her brother's mental illness, it hit her hard. However, I did not expect her coming out of it gracefully with no wounds and being stronger than ever. This is not the movie version, it's life. You are going to come out of this situation affected, one way or another. That's the truth and I was glad to see it in The Movie Version.
Praise heavens, Amelia's mental growth by the end of the book was incredible. I thought, hell yeah, she made it! The novel did not get instantly better because Amelia Anderson managed to "get her house straight". The novel got better because I saw the reality of what was happening. Finally.
"Toby used to say you should do things like it was the movie version of your life. Like, would people pay to watch it? But lately I think the movie version isn't right. Not everything has to be full of action. You can appreciate all the regular, nonexciting times, too."
I think almost entire first half of the book was forced. I can't put my finger on it but there was just something off. It felt like Emma Wunsch tried to glue a bunch of absolutely unrelated things together and they just did not add up. It did not feel real even a tiny bit. Now, I have a theory. Emma Wunsch did it on purpose to emphasize the transition from Amelia's movie version life to real life. I am not sure if I am counseling myself into it again or talking the real deal. Up to me, I guess.
All in all, I do admit Amelia's reaction was realistic. However, that's pretty much all I could like about The Movie Version. I was angry at Amelia most of the time. I did not feel bad for her. I could blame her for a lot of things. However, that is my personal opinion and in the end, I would want my friends to read The Movie Version. Just to learn from a bad example of Amelia Jane Anderson and for the sake of awareness.
djc16's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book as a coming-of-age novel and as an exploration of mental health issues. This has really come to the forefront of YA in the last couple of years in particular, with books such as Am I Normal Yet?, Nothing Tastes As Good and Under Rose-Tainted Skies’ all tackling and talking about real issues. Along with Juno Dawson’s non-fictional Mind Your Head, there is now a wealth of information and relatable stories out there on YA bookshelves tha must really give hope and inspiration to young people with their own mental health issues.
The Movie Version‘s main feeatures are a strong narrative from the first-person perspective of AMelia, and dynamic characters, most notably her brother Toby. Toby is a hero, a role model and a best friend to Amelia, and we get frequent flashbacks, written in scripted form, showing how caring, generous and random Toby has been with Amelia and their younger twin brothers throughout their childhoods and into adolescence.
The book is split simply into two parts – before and after. It’s unfair to spoil what causes that split but the signs are there from early on. Toby and Amelia’s worlds revolve around watching and quoting movies, to the point where they imagine what the ‘movie version’ of their everyday lives would look like. We also hear Amelia’s inner monologue gently ribbing Netflix categories, the best being when she creates a specific Netflix list catered to her dog’s taste in movies.
Things begin to disintegrate however, leaving Amelia and Toby somewhat isolated from each other. I found these parts particularly effective, as we begin to learn more about the character of Amelia, as she is forced to wean herself off relying on Toby. Both characters are so engaging and entertaining that I haven’t even mentioned their eclectic bunch of friends, including Toast and Muppet. Amelia’s friend, Ray, is probably the best written of their friends, an understated character with her own struggles in life.
The Movie Version is a great read, with satisfying character arcs for our main characters. There’s aso hundreds of movie references in there too, particularly in the first half of the book, which were clever and funny. It reminded me that we do often quote movies and TV at a rate that is not really reflected in this medium!
A recommended read, difficult at times because of the more serious subject matter that emerges, but again it’s a powerful portrayal by a contemporary YA author, dealing with real issues.
The Movie Version‘s main feeatures are a strong narrative from the first-person perspective of AMelia, and dynamic characters, most notably her brother Toby. Toby is a hero, a role model and a best friend to Amelia, and we get frequent flashbacks, written in scripted form, showing how caring, generous and random Toby has been with Amelia and their younger twin brothers throughout their childhoods and into adolescence.
The book is split simply into two parts – before and after. It’s unfair to spoil what causes that split but the signs are there from early on. Toby and Amelia’s worlds revolve around watching and quoting movies, to the point where they imagine what the ‘movie version’ of their everyday lives would look like. We also hear Amelia’s inner monologue gently ribbing Netflix categories, the best being when she creates a specific Netflix list catered to her dog’s taste in movies.
Things begin to disintegrate however, leaving Amelia and Toby somewhat isolated from each other. I found these parts particularly effective, as we begin to learn more about the character of Amelia, as she is forced to wean herself off relying on Toby. Both characters are so engaging and entertaining that I haven’t even mentioned their eclectic bunch of friends, including Toast and Muppet. Amelia’s friend, Ray, is probably the best written of their friends, an understated character with her own struggles in life.
The Movie Version is a great read, with satisfying character arcs for our main characters. There’s aso hundreds of movie references in there too, particularly in the first half of the book, which were clever and funny. It reminded me that we do often quote movies and TV at a rate that is not really reflected in this medium!
A recommended read, difficult at times because of the more serious subject matter that emerges, but again it’s a powerful portrayal by a contemporary YA author, dealing with real issues.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
For a more complete review, visit my Bickering Book Review vlog here: https://youtu.be/zhCgbSpqH34
Amelia never plays the leading role in her life that is Toby's job. He has star quality that everyone is attracted to. Amelia constantly re-imagines her life where she is the star, instead of Toby. Amelia just may get the chance to be center stage, when Toby starts exhibiting some strange behavior and collapsing in on himself. Is it drugs, is it depression, is it something more, why is Toby acting so strange? This is a novel about coping with the mental health of a family member, while also finding room for yourself.
While I think the point of this novel was to catapult Amelia to starring in her own life, but that doesn't happen. I think there is no real character movement throughout the novel. Amelia interacts with her brother in a way that I don't find believable. The concept behind this book was interesting, I just don't think it was achieved.
Amelia never plays the leading role in her life that is Toby's job. He has star quality that everyone is attracted to. Amelia constantly re-imagines her life where she is the star, instead of Toby. Amelia just may get the chance to be center stage, when Toby starts exhibiting some strange behavior and collapsing in on himself. Is it drugs, is it depression, is it something more, why is Toby acting so strange? This is a novel about coping with the mental health of a family member, while also finding room for yourself.
While I think the point of this novel was to catapult Amelia to starring in her own life, but that doesn't happen. I think there is no real character movement throughout the novel. Amelia interacts with her brother in a way that I don't find believable. The concept behind this book was interesting, I just don't think it was achieved.
emmaa_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really care for this book. The main character has a brother with schizophrenia. Her family has to learn how to treat him and go on with a normal life. With all this going on she tries to maintain a relationship with a guy who lives far away and tries too hard.
There was nothing grabbing at me to make me want to keep reading. The way it was written made me believe she was a lot younger than she was, so I didn't think it was right for her to be having sex... I guess I could see why people would like this book, but it wasn't for me.
There was nothing grabbing at me to make me want to keep reading. The way it was written made me believe she was a lot younger than she was, so I didn't think it was right for her to be having sex... I guess I could see why people would like this book, but it wasn't for me.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The constant film referencing might appeal to some readers, but I found it a bit of an in-joke that I soon found tiring.
Aside from that, this story of Amelia, her brother Toby, their family and friends and how they cope when Toby is diagnosed with schizophrenia was an interesting read. Amelia tries her hardest to support Toby, but sometimes making the decision about how to support someone isn't always obvious.
At times the story felt a little flat, but there were moments when I was really taken with the portrayal of the characters and their experiences.
The constant film referencing might appeal to some readers, but I found it a bit of an in-joke that I soon found tiring.
Aside from that, this story of Amelia, her brother Toby, their family and friends and how they cope when Toby is diagnosed with schizophrenia was an interesting read. Amelia tries her hardest to support Toby, but sometimes making the decision about how to support someone isn't always obvious.
At times the story felt a little flat, but there were moments when I was really taken with the portrayal of the characters and their experiences.
lau_m25's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
More reviews at Beautiful Books
I requested this book because it sounded straight up my alley, and upon reading it I found that while it wasn't what I was expecting, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
This is a book about mental-illness, which I wasn't expecting. At least, not from the summary of it. In this book, and this is a spoiler so cover your eyes or something, Amelia's brother, Toby, has schizophrenia. Amelia tries to deal with this fact throughout the book and tries to come to terms with it, as is her family. I don't know much about schizophrenia, but I can imagine how it might uproot a family and turn things around. So, I liked the fact that we were shown Amelia's family trying to adjust to their new normal and trying to understand and come to terms with Toby's mental illness.
Now, while I liked it there were some moments in the book in which I did feel uncomfortable with how it was dealt, but as humans we aren't perfect and we can't expect book characters to be either. It bothered me at times that Amelia seemed ashamed of Toby's schizophrenia, but then I thought that it could be a perfectly normal way to react at first and that it probably isn't easy to see someone you love change right before your eyes like that. So, I could put my feelings aside for the sake of character development.
Another thing that caught me by surprise was how we are promised some romance in the summary, but romance doesn't really play a big part in the story. If anything, it's more like a footnote or something of the sort. However, I'm glad for this because for the dear life of me I couldn't stand Epstein. What kind of name is Epstein anyway? He got on my every nerve.
I do like Amelia and I like that she's flawed and hurting and confused. I liked that she felt like a real person. Albeit, a person with supreme movie knowledge, but a person nonetheless. Also, she knows one of my favorite movies Frances Ha and for that, and that alone, I liked the book a little bit more.
Over all, this book wasn't what I expected, but it was still good. It's not worming its way into my favorites, but it was enjoyable and it certainly showed a character arc of acceptance and coming to terms with a loved one's mental illness.
More reviews at Beautiful Books
I requested this book because it sounded straight up my alley, and upon reading it I found that while it wasn't what I was expecting, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
This is a book about mental-illness, which I wasn't expecting. At least, not from the summary of it. In this book, and this is a spoiler so cover your eyes or something, Amelia's brother, Toby, has schizophrenia. Amelia tries to deal with this fact throughout the book and tries to come to terms with it, as is her family. I don't know much about schizophrenia, but I can imagine how it might uproot a family and turn things around. So, I liked the fact that we were shown Amelia's family trying to adjust to their new normal and trying to understand and come to terms with Toby's mental illness.
Now, while I liked it there were some moments in the book in which I did feel uncomfortable with how it was dealt, but as humans we aren't perfect and we can't expect book characters to be either. It bothered me at times that Amelia seemed ashamed of Toby's schizophrenia, but then I thought that it could be a perfectly normal way to react at first and that it probably isn't easy to see someone you love change right before your eyes like that. So, I could put my feelings aside for the sake of character development.
Another thing that caught me by surprise was how we are promised some romance in the summary, but romance doesn't really play a big part in the story. If anything, it's more like a footnote or something of the sort. However, I'm glad for this because for the dear life of me I couldn't stand Epstein. What kind of name is Epstein anyway? He got on my every nerve.
I do like Amelia and I like that she's flawed and hurting and confused. I liked that she felt like a real person. Albeit, a person with supreme movie knowledge, but a person nonetheless. Also, she knows one of my favorite movies Frances Ha and for that, and that alone, I liked the book a little bit more.
Over all, this book wasn't what I expected, but it was still good. It's not worming its way into my favorites, but it was enjoyable and it certainly showed a character arc of acceptance and coming to terms with a loved one's mental illness.
mkschoen's review against another edition
4.0
This is a review of an ARC from NetGalley. Spoilers ahoy!
Amelia's life could be a standard sit-com set-up: white, middle-class family in upstate New York, parents run a restaurant, two cute fighting twin younger brothers, and a handsome, popular, adored older brother. But when Amelia comes home form a summer baby-sitting gig, something is off. Her older brother Toby has changed dramatically, and spends all day locked in his room getting high, or scribbling furiously in a notebook.
It becomes clear fairly quickly that Toby's problem is more than just drugs, and that there's something seriously wrong. Amelia tries to cover for her brother - partially out of sibling loyalty, and partially because she is too wrapped up in her own life (new boyfriend, learning to drive) to worry about her brother. But after Toby has a psychotic break, no one can ignore it anymore. The book centers around how Amelia and her family cope with the situation. Amelia's main response is to think about how all of this will affect her. Is that the perfect behavior? No. Is it normal for a 16-year-old (or really, for a human being)? yes.
I've seen some complaints that the book treats mental illness as a plot device, and that the characters don't treat mental illness appropriately. But I think the main issue is that the blurb makes it seem like it's going to be a fun light romance, and it's definitely not. This is a serious book about a teenage girl coping with a sick brother. She doesn't handle everything perfectly, or even particularly well. But to me that felt honest.
One issue I did have was the sex scenes. I have no problem with them being there, but the writing was - awkward, and felt a bit gratuitous. They could easily have been toned down or taken out and not hurt the plot or character development.
Amelia's life could be a standard sit-com set-up: white, middle-class family in upstate New York, parents run a restaurant, two cute fighting twin younger brothers, and a handsome, popular, adored older brother. But when Amelia comes home form a summer baby-sitting gig, something is off. Her older brother Toby has changed dramatically, and spends all day locked in his room getting high, or scribbling furiously in a notebook.
It becomes clear fairly quickly that Toby's problem is more than just drugs, and that there's something seriously wrong. Amelia tries to cover for her brother - partially out of sibling loyalty, and partially because she is too wrapped up in her own life (new boyfriend, learning to drive) to worry about her brother. But after Toby has a psychotic break, no one can ignore it anymore. The book centers around how Amelia and her family cope with the situation. Amelia's main response is to think about how all of this will affect her. Is that the perfect behavior? No. Is it normal for a 16-year-old (or really, for a human being)? yes.
I've seen some complaints that the book treats mental illness as a plot device, and that the characters don't treat mental illness appropriately. But I think the main issue is that the blurb makes it seem like it's going to be a fun light romance, and it's definitely not. This is a serious book about a teenage girl coping with a sick brother. She doesn't handle everything perfectly, or even particularly well. But to me that felt honest.
One issue I did have was the sex scenes. I have no problem with them being there, but the writing was - awkward, and felt a bit gratuitous. They could easily have been toned down or taken out and not hurt the plot or character development.