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3.39 AVERAGE


Could not get into it. The writing Style just wasn’t for me. Also, if I never read the name Ed ever again, it’ll be too soon.

DNF. Couldn’t handle the run-on sentences and annoying main character’s narrative.

Ed, I don't like your book. Ed, I don't like your story. Ed, it drove me nuts to hear your name over and over.

I loved this book. If ever there was an accurate portrayal of the drama of HS relationships, in all their facets, this is it. Handler's got the whole thing down well, and treats us to these amazing "lists" of teenage angst and experience throughout the story. The art by Maira Kalman is exquisite. I think my only complaint would be that the book is HEAVY, given the thick, lacquered paper. But I will endure weight for substance any time.

If I had owned the book I read, I would have been highlighting many insightful sentences. For most of the novel, I really didn't hate Ed. I found his character, as portrayed by Min, quite charming and sincere. But there's the rub. It wasn't sincere. It was typical jock, I am the master of the universe stuff. Practiced and refined over many 'relationships'. Quite a cautionary tale for girls who swoon over such guys - do you really want to lose your virginity with an act like that?

Al of course if her real love, the guy she SHOULD grab and hold onto. I liked the way Handler delivered these smart, intelligent kids to us. There are so many in high school, and often they go unnoticed.

Teens ought to read this one.

Read this in 2014 (writing this in 2025) and thought it was good and emotional. I haven’t re-read it since and truthfully, the only reason I gave it 5 ⭐️ is the butterfly effect it had on reawakening my reading obsession. 
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: No

This book had so much potential and it just... didn't live up to it. It could have been beautiful and poignant but it was just meh and average and rambling. I really wanted to love this book and get my heart ripped out, and I know Daniel Handler can do better, but this just wasn't it. It's not awful, but I'm disappointed.

Rereading this book was a fun way to reconnect to the younger, high school version of me that read it for the first time. I was afraid it would be too corny and cheesy all this time later, but it surprised me! I enjoyed reading it, especially connecting it to my own place in life and my journey of connecting to my past self. Younger me even left a gift inside -- pressed flower petals from the first bouquet I was ever gifted. Overall, this was a nostalgic journey for me and not my usual taste; however, it was a much better read than I was anticipating, and I found myself getting lost in the images.

This book wasn't as good as I expected it to be. But it wasn't bad.
funny sad fast-paced

I liked this book but I couldn't get into it AT ALL. The only reason I didn't stop is the fact that the author wrote the A Series Of Unfortunte Events. This book was written really well and I hate the fact that I couldn't get into it.