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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
Handler's prose is undeniably beautiful, and the characters and their feelings are real and honest. The structure of the novel is pretty adorable (a girl's letter to her ex-boyfriend, explaining their relationship and why it is no more), and the narrator's clever and witty expressions have just the right amount of egocentricity that makes you want to be 16 again. The original artwork adds some well-appreciated whimsy to the story. Loved the quiet, female triumph of the end.
Part of me thinks that Daniel Handler kidnapped a 16-year-old girl to achieve the stunningly realistic voice of Min, the teenage narrator of this charming story. Every time I picked this book up, I felt like I was back in high school - and I mean that in the best way possible. This is a touching, funny novel that really captures what it feels like to be young, stupid, and in love.
This book!!!!! Omg it broke me!!! It was so beautifully written and so beautifully illustrated! I've never fell in love with a book so hard in my life I swear! Also even though it's obvious they break up I wasn't prepared and the way they did just broke me.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was good but I wanted it to be better
When I first read this book, I was very hesitant. I didn't enjoy the format and, at times, I found Min very irritating. I adored Daniel Handler's writing, but not enough to give it anymore than two stars.
I just finished re-reading it with a friend (an idea from a video blogger) and love it so much more this time.
My main problem with reading is that if I'm not really excited about a book, I'll rush it. My mind gets pre-occupied with what I'm going to read next, and I did rush the first time. I'm a fast reader, but the friend I read with was not, and because we were reading together, I had to slow it down. I'm glad I did, because I realised I had not appreciated this book.
I have a very complicated relationship with Min. I hate her for her flaws, but I also loved her for them. As for Ed, I had no strong feelings for him and I still don't.
The writing the second time was what really made it for me. After some passages, I found myself holding the book to my chest. I just related to the words so much that it hurt. This book didn't make me cry, and normally that's pretty easy to do, but it made me feel a lot of things, and I didn't expect it to.
I still hate this book, but I love that I hate it. I don't think I'm going to be reading it again, though.
I just finished re-reading it with a friend (an idea from a video blogger) and love it so much more this time.
My main problem with reading is that if I'm not really excited about a book, I'll rush it. My mind gets pre-occupied with what I'm going to read next, and I did rush the first time. I'm a fast reader, but the friend I read with was not, and because we were reading together, I had to slow it down. I'm glad I did, because I realised I had not appreciated this book.
I have a very complicated relationship with Min. I hate her for her flaws, but I also loved her for them. As for Ed, I had no strong feelings for him and I still don't.
The writing the second time was what really made it for me. After some passages, I found myself holding the book to my chest. I just related to the words so much that it hurt. This book didn't make me cry, and normally that's pretty easy to do, but it made me feel a lot of things, and I didn't expect it to.
I still hate this book, but I love that I hate it. I don't think I'm going to be reading it again, though.
Different, is what this book is. Told from Min Green's point of view, it tells the story of her relationship with Ed Slaterton by going through things inside a box, up to the point when they break up. It's different because it's in a form of a letter, talking about each and every item in the box Min gave back to Ed when they broke up. And with every item comes Maira Kalman's illustration of it.
Daniel Handler's writing is also different. Sometimes the sentences are just what you will find in other books. Some other time, it's only one or two words, repeated several times. Like the 26 "I'm sorry"'s or "OK. OK. OK.". There are also sentences so long, one sentence actually takes up the whole screen on my phone (I read the e-book). It's interesting. But most of the time confusing, because I can't keep up with what's happening.
All in all I like this book. I like the idea, I like the presentation. But I can't "really like" it— not the book's fault, mine—because some parts are too confusing.
But hey, read it, it's a great book :)
Daniel Handler's writing is also different. Sometimes the sentences are just what you will find in other books. Some other time, it's only one or two words, repeated several times. Like the 26 "I'm sorry"'s or "OK. OK. OK.". There are also sentences so long, one sentence actually takes up the whole screen on my phone (I read the e-book). It's interesting. But most of the time confusing, because I can't keep up with what's happening.
All in all I like this book. I like the idea, I like the presentation. But I can't "really like" it— not the book's fault, mine—because some parts are too confusing.
But hey, read it, it's a great book :)