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2.95 AVERAGE
2.95 AVERAGE
More like a 1.5 stars. Hawthorne, the main character, is insufferable. She's mean, whiny and completely self-centered. She complains she has no friends, but she's horrible to everyone she knows. The "romance" in the book is a high school girl and a 25-year-old man. It's cringeworthy, as is Hawthorne's obsessive behavior. She has unhealthy fixations, and her actions don't make her endearing but rather someone I hated getting to know.
I this book was very well written and it cool to see Hawthorn see a different perspective than everyone else at her school.
Overall, this book was great except for some morbid details near the end but, it made up for the actual ending.
Overall, this book was great except for some morbid details near the end but, it made up for the actual ending.
Oh boy, this one is going to be rough. Look, this is not some teen sleuth finding out what happened to Lizzie. This is all about Hawthorne being unstable, unlikeable, and full of herself. This is all about perpetuating the bullshit and stigma around mental health. This is another mediocre white girl thinking she’s a special snowflake and all the angst when the world won’t treat her like it. This is a 25 year old guy fucking high school kids. This is the worst mean girl ever written acting out because she’s jealous of fucking Hawthorn for no damn reason besides “Hawthorne is special”.
While there are some authentic moments, like wishing ill on people making fun of you, wanting to belong and being lonely, the non-perfect reality of losing your virginity, and small town life, it is buried until a mountain of harmful, painful, awful bullshit.
Let’s start with the title: what a crock of shit. Lizzie Lovett hasn’t spouted off ‘alternative facts’ to people. What the title referred to is actually other’s incorrect perception of her and social stigma against mental health issues.
Depressed people CAN have happy or content moments so Lizzie saying at one point that she’s happy IS NOT EVIDENCE SHE WASN’T SUFFERING.
I went search for articles about the bullshit that “happy” people don’t kill themselves and found this article from Jezebel. There’s an interesting quote:
Hmmm, boy that sounds familiar? Just swap out the collage for a small town and that’s Lizzie. There’s lot of “but she had it all!” spouted and doesn’t get debunked. Hawthorn’s just confused, and then depressed. And her family doesn’t get her help or talk to her. They threatened her with a doctor and snap, Hawthorn got out of bed but she wasn’t better.
Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett perpetuals the social bullshit that comes along with mental health issues. Nothing is found out about Lizzie. She’s not in the story or part of it besides a Hawthorn’s obsession. She never gets inside Lizzie’s head and understands her or depression or suicide.
There’s no insight or consideration or thoughtfulness. There’s no exploring the grief of the people affected by a person dying by suicide. No hope or help. Just Hawthorn being Hawthorn, using her imagination as denial and escape and believing in it way too much. It honestly sounds like she has a disassociation disorder.
This is not some nerd geeking out about a fantasy or sci-fi world. She honestly thinks Lizzie turned into a werewolf and goes into a depressive state when finding out that’s not true. This is not about “oh, everyone grieves differently”. Hawthorne chokes herself with a scarf to “see how it’s like”, FFS.
If someone is grieving like this, they need help because it’s not healthy and needs at the very least a therapist to talk to.
Is this something kids and teens need to know, talk, and read about? Absolutely! But this is not this book. Please, for the love of all that is good and decent, do not put this book in the hands of someone who has mental health issues. And don’t praise it and support this bullshit either but the horse is already out of the gate on that one.
Next up, our leading lady Hawthorn:
•Typical mediocre white girl that’s pretty but doesn’t think she is
•Not Like Those Other Girls ™
•Quirky ™
•Self-involved
•Selfish
•Malicious. Constantly wishes minor inconveniences on other people.
•Hates people that judge her but has a major in judging others
• Is targetted by others and lost friends because she reported a teacher/student romantic relationship
•She’s different & special, “just no one understands her” angst
•Thinks a boyfriend will fix everything
•Has no plans or ideas for the future. Spurns everyone asking and trying to help her as sheep that just don’t get it.
Hawthorn’s super out there theory? Lizzie turned into a werewolf. Seriously. Really Really.
FYI: Don't ever try to Google Shrek gifs.
She just wants someone to acknowledge and be open to the possibilities of magic though I don’t remember her using that term. But that’s what it boils down to, but has I stated earlier she uses it in unhealthy ways.
No one encourages her except Lizzie’s Boyfriend, her brother’s best friend, and hippies from her mother’s past that’s camping in the backyard. (This is important later, just wait.)
And apparently that kind of thinking makes her special and different and unique and should be a writer and she’ll go places! She won’t be stuck in a 9-5 job to pay the bills like everyone else, no siree bob. Those stupid sheep, just don’t get it. But this 17 year old white girl from a small white town has it all figured out. Even if she doesn’t know what she’s going to do after high school, it’ll work out just fine for Hawthorn the Special Snowflake.
Look, I’ve been a white girl in a small white town but I DO NOT identify with Hawthorne.
Did I wish bad things would happen to the people that made fun of me or joked around about things I was sensitive about? Yes. But when bad things enviably happened, like the popular girl breaking her arm, I wasn’t overcome with joy and thought she deserved what happened. That’s not karma, that’s just her being a cheerleader and landing horribly wrong once.
Did I anxiously want friends and a place to belong? Yes, but I didn’t alienate the one friend I had by treating her like shit, dominating the conversation making everything about me and daydreaming when she tried to speak. I sure as shit didn’t judge the dude she liked on assumptions and talk shit about him or try to break them up. Hawthorne should’ve been right there, getting to know the dude and making sure he treated her friend right.
Did I anxiously await the day to escape and never come back? Yes. But I HAD A FUCKING PLAN. You will not escape without a plan. Small towns live and breathe by families staying where the fuck they are. Like quick sand, panicking and screaming you don’t belong here make it fucking worse. You have to wait and plan until the time comes and strike out. Hawthorn is already working in a dead diner, I bet she keeps working there languishing until her parents kick her out to get her own crappy apartment.
If she really wants experiences, she could save up money and go traveling. But does she? No. Hawthorne doesn’t plan anything. She doesn’t follow through with anything like getting her fucking car fixed. Oh, did I mention she got an old used car because she wanted one with character and history? She turned down her parents offer and good advice to get a POS.
*SIGH* Anyways onto the plot…
There’s is Hawthorne being snoopy but she’s not a sleuth. There is no clues to follow or a mystery to unravel. It’s all about Hawthorne fucking over her one and only friend, her angst, and boys. And the feminine, traditionally ‘girly’ mean girl treating Hawthorne like shit because she’s jealous. (OF WHAT?!)
Oh and some hippies show up out of nowhere and camp in their backyard. Fun times!
Hawthorne hinks having a boyfriend will make her happy. She gets a sort-of one, loses her virginity, and she is admittedly happier than before with him by her side.
Her family and friend try to warn her off because the dude is 8 years older and used to date Lizzie. They surprisingly give up on talking about the subject quickly because Hawthorne has a temper-tantrum when they broach the subject. “At least she’s getting out of the house” WTF?
But wait! He’s a pathetic loser who’s not good enough for Hawthorne and finally she sees the light. Bam! Another dude who’s just been waiting in the wings for her is right there. HE believes her and thinks her way of thinking is cool. She promises to “search for magic but not invent it”. It ends with them walking and talking together and all is better.
SPARE ME.
While there are some authentic moments, like wishing ill on people making fun of you, wanting to belong and being lonely, the non-perfect reality of losing your virginity, and small town life, it is buried until a mountain of harmful, painful, awful bullshit.
Spoiler
Let’s start with the title: what a crock of shit. Lizzie Lovett hasn’t spouted off ‘alternative facts’ to people. What the title referred to is actually other’s incorrect perception of her and social stigma against mental health issues.
Depressed people CAN have happy or content moments so Lizzie saying at one point that she’s happy IS NOT EVIDENCE SHE WASN’T SUFFERING.
I went search for articles about the bullshit that “happy” people don’t kill themselves and found this article from Jezebel. There’s an interesting quote:
“Appalachian State at least three — the disappearance in September of a freshman, Anna M. Smith, led to an 11-day search before she was found in the North Carolina woods, hanging from a tree.”
Hmmm, boy that sounds familiar? Just swap out the collage for a small town and that’s Lizzie. There’s lot of “but she had it all!” spouted and doesn’t get debunked. Hawthorn’s just confused, and then depressed. And her family doesn’t get her help or talk to her. They threatened her with a doctor and snap, Hawthorn got out of bed but she wasn’t better.
Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett perpetuals the social bullshit that comes along with mental health issues. Nothing is found out about Lizzie. She’s not in the story or part of it besides a Hawthorn’s obsession. She never gets inside Lizzie’s head and understands her or depression or suicide.
There’s no insight or consideration or thoughtfulness. There’s no exploring the grief of the people affected by a person dying by suicide. No hope or help. Just Hawthorn being Hawthorn, using her imagination as denial and escape and believing in it way too much. It honestly sounds like she has a disassociation disorder.
This is not some nerd geeking out about a fantasy or sci-fi world. She honestly thinks Lizzie turned into a werewolf and goes into a depressive state when finding out that’s not true. This is not about “oh, everyone grieves differently”. Hawthorne chokes herself with a scarf to “see how it’s like”, FFS.
If someone is grieving like this, they need help because it’s not healthy and needs at the very least a therapist to talk to.
Is this something kids and teens need to know, talk, and read about? Absolutely! But this is not this book. Please, for the love of all that is good and decent, do not put this book in the hands of someone who has mental health issues. And don’t praise it and support this bullshit either but the horse is already out of the gate on that one.
Next up, our leading lady Hawthorn:
•Typical mediocre white girl that’s pretty but doesn’t think she is
•Not Like Those Other Girls ™
•Quirky ™
•Self-involved
•Selfish
•Malicious. Constantly wishes minor inconveniences on other people.
•Hates people that judge her but has a major in judging others
• Is targetted by others and lost friends because she reported a teacher/student romantic relationship
•She’s different & special, “just no one understands her” angst
•Thinks a boyfriend will fix everything
•Has no plans or ideas for the future. Spurns everyone asking and trying to help her as sheep that just don’t get it.
Hawthorn’s super out there theory? Lizzie turned into a werewolf. Seriously. Really Really.
FYI: Don't ever try to Google Shrek gifs.
She just wants someone to acknowledge and be open to the possibilities of magic though I don’t remember her using that term. But that’s what it boils down to, but has I stated earlier she uses it in unhealthy ways.
No one encourages her except Lizzie’s Boyfriend, her brother’s best friend, and hippies from her mother’s past that’s camping in the backyard. (This is important later, just wait.)
And apparently that kind of thinking makes her special and different and unique and should be a writer and she’ll go places! She won’t be stuck in a 9-5 job to pay the bills like everyone else, no siree bob. Those stupid sheep, just don’t get it. But this 17 year old white girl from a small white town has it all figured out. Even if she doesn’t know what she’s going to do after high school, it’ll work out just fine for Hawthorn the Special Snowflake.
Look, I’ve been a white girl in a small white town but I DO NOT identify with Hawthorne.
Did I wish bad things would happen to the people that made fun of me or joked around about things I was sensitive about? Yes. But when bad things enviably happened, like the popular girl breaking her arm, I wasn’t overcome with joy and thought she deserved what happened. That’s not karma, that’s just her being a cheerleader and landing horribly wrong once.
Did I anxiously want friends and a place to belong? Yes, but I didn’t alienate the one friend I had by treating her like shit, dominating the conversation making everything about me and daydreaming when she tried to speak. I sure as shit didn’t judge the dude she liked on assumptions and talk shit about him or try to break them up. Hawthorne should’ve been right there, getting to know the dude and making sure he treated her friend right.
Did I anxiously await the day to escape and never come back? Yes. But I HAD A FUCKING PLAN. You will not escape without a plan. Small towns live and breathe by families staying where the fuck they are. Like quick sand, panicking and screaming you don’t belong here make it fucking worse. You have to wait and plan until the time comes and strike out. Hawthorn is already working in a dead diner, I bet she keeps working there languishing until her parents kick her out to get her own crappy apartment.
If she really wants experiences, she could save up money and go traveling. But does she? No. Hawthorne doesn’t plan anything. She doesn’t follow through with anything like getting her fucking car fixed. Oh, did I mention she got an old used car because she wanted one with character and history? She turned down her parents offer and good advice to get a POS.
*SIGH* Anyways onto the plot…
There’s is Hawthorne being snoopy but she’s not a sleuth. There is no clues to follow or a mystery to unravel. It’s all about Hawthorne fucking over her one and only friend, her angst, and boys. And the feminine, traditionally ‘girly’ mean girl treating Hawthorne like shit because she’s jealous. (OF WHAT?!)
Oh and some hippies show up out of nowhere and camp in their backyard. Fun times!
Hawthorne hinks having a boyfriend will make her happy. She gets a sort-of one, loses her virginity, and she is admittedly happier than before with him by her side.
Her family and friend try to warn her off because the dude is 8 years older and used to date Lizzie. They surprisingly give up on talking about the subject quickly because Hawthorne has a temper-tantrum when they broach the subject. “At least she’s getting out of the house” WTF?
But wait! He’s a pathetic loser who’s not good enough for Hawthorne and finally she sees the light. Bam! Another dude who’s just been waiting in the wings for her is right there. HE believes her and thinks her way of thinking is cool. She promises to “search for magic but not invent it”. It ends with them walking and talking together and all is better.
SPARE ME.
ORIGINAL POST: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-review-the-hundred-lies-of-lizzie-lovett-by-chelsea-sedoti/
** A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Chelsea Sedoti has taken a subject that is hard for some to read and turned it into an intriquing, nerve-wracking, story intertwined with lessons on love, growing up, and over imagination. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett follows the story of Hawthorn Creely as she finds herself, and by find I mean inserts herself, into a missing persons investigation for a girl she has loathed since freshman year. While she ends up being involves in multiple aspects of the missing persons life, Hawthorn begins to learn some valuable life lessons. High school friends are not necessarily forever. Friendships change. Romantic feelings can change quickly. People are not always who we think they are. And most importantly, no matter how hard you try to delay it you will always grow up.
Sedoti wrote some compelling characters who are all multiple layers of messed up for different reasons. While I found her main character, Hawthorn, a tad bit annoying and obsessive at times I was always hoping she would get it together in the end. Without giving too much away I can say there were aspects of the characters I could have dealt with less of and sometimes it felt forced or as if the author was filling space. There were also instances where I was really into a scene and then it was over and I wanted more. Not necessarily a bad thing. While there were little things that irked me throughout the book Sedoti did the one thing that authors should do. She got me wanting to know more and made me feel emotions for different parts of the book. There were times I was incredibly uncomfortable because of whatever given situation Hawthorn had gotten herself in. I was stressed at times. I found myself sighing and smacking my forehead when she made uneducated decisions that were obviously going to go badly and feeling the butterflies she felt when she was excited. It's not easy to bring out strong emotions in readers so I give Sedoti major props for drawing such reactions from me.
The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is for anyone who wants a book that will draw you in and keep you from the beginning. Chelsea Sedoti is sure to drag an emotion out of you, even if you ended up disliking the main character most of the way through like I did. Her writing style is smooth and transitions well from one point to the next without any huge gaps or lost details. Due to my qualms with some of the "filler feeling" moments I cannot give this book a five stars, but it has a very strong four stars out of five. I'll be checking out Sedoti's next book to see what crazy characters and story lines she can throw at us next.
** A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Chelsea Sedoti has taken a subject that is hard for some to read and turned it into an intriquing, nerve-wracking, story intertwined with lessons on love, growing up, and over imagination. The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett follows the story of Hawthorn Creely as she finds herself, and by find I mean inserts herself, into a missing persons investigation for a girl she has loathed since freshman year. While she ends up being involves in multiple aspects of the missing persons life, Hawthorn begins to learn some valuable life lessons. High school friends are not necessarily forever. Friendships change. Romantic feelings can change quickly. People are not always who we think they are. And most importantly, no matter how hard you try to delay it you will always grow up.
Sedoti wrote some compelling characters who are all multiple layers of messed up for different reasons. While I found her main character, Hawthorn, a tad bit annoying and obsessive at times I was always hoping she would get it together in the end. Without giving too much away I can say there were aspects of the characters I could have dealt with less of and sometimes it felt forced or as if the author was filling space. There were also instances where I was really into a scene and then it was over and I wanted more. Not necessarily a bad thing. While there were little things that irked me throughout the book Sedoti did the one thing that authors should do. She got me wanting to know more and made me feel emotions for different parts of the book. There were times I was incredibly uncomfortable because of whatever given situation Hawthorn had gotten herself in. I was stressed at times. I found myself sighing and smacking my forehead when she made uneducated decisions that were obviously going to go badly and feeling the butterflies she felt when she was excited. It's not easy to bring out strong emotions in readers so I give Sedoti major props for drawing such reactions from me.
The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett is for anyone who wants a book that will draw you in and keep you from the beginning. Chelsea Sedoti is sure to drag an emotion out of you, even if you ended up disliking the main character most of the way through like I did. Her writing style is smooth and transitions well from one point to the next without any huge gaps or lost details. Due to my qualms with some of the "filler feeling" moments I cannot give this book a five stars, but it has a very strong four stars out of five. I'll be checking out Sedoti's next book to see what crazy characters and story lines she can throw at us next.
The voice in this book is so authentic, so unique, it is what drew me in at first. Hawthorn is unique, annoying, obnoxious, snarky, and so REAL that it made me want to keep reading. The story lagged a little, but the writing was top notch. Great read with a compelling, unique voice. I haven't read one like it, and I've read a lot of books.
Content note: bullying, depression, suicide, suicidal ideation, identity, coping mechanisms, loss,
Initially, I was put off by the tone of the narrator, Hawthorn, whose flow of thoughts and feelings were strongly teenager. I'm glad I stuck with this though, as despite the potential triggers, it was interesting to observe how the thoughts and feelings mature over the course of the novel.
The basic plot is that Lizzie Lovett, an older girl whom Hawthorn had admired and then disliked, has gone missing on a camping trip. Hawthorn navigates high school as an outsider, a loner, while rumors swirl about concerning Lizzie, who had been a cheerleader and popular student while still in school. Hawthorn becomes drawn into the mythos of Lizzie, and at one point, decides she must have become a werewolf and run off to live in the woods. She ends up getting Lizzie's job at a diner and connecting with Lizzie's boyfriend, Enzo. Together, Hawthorn and Enzo have strange adventure, tromping around in the woods in search of werewolves. Over time, they fall for each other, and eventually sleep together - and then things fall apart when Lizzie's body is found by hikers.
Wise mentors, steadfast friends, are all in the background if Hawthorn would look around her more. Which feels like a sign in general that there is usually more to situations, more possibilities than we may realize at the time - certainly true in reflecting on my own past, stuff which seemed so very important or dire… that really was not.
Initially, I was put off by the tone of the narrator, Hawthorn, whose flow of thoughts and feelings were strongly teenager. I'm glad I stuck with this though, as despite the potential triggers, it was interesting to observe how the thoughts and feelings mature over the course of the novel.
The basic plot is that Lizzie Lovett, an older girl whom Hawthorn had admired and then disliked, has gone missing on a camping trip. Hawthorn navigates high school as an outsider, a loner, while rumors swirl about concerning Lizzie, who had been a cheerleader and popular student while still in school. Hawthorn becomes drawn into the mythos of Lizzie, and at one point, decides she must have become a werewolf and run off to live in the woods. She ends up getting Lizzie's job at a diner and connecting with Lizzie's boyfriend, Enzo. Together, Hawthorn and Enzo have strange adventure, tromping around in the woods in search of werewolves. Over time, they fall for each other, and eventually sleep together - and then things fall apart when Lizzie's body is found by hikers.
Wise mentors, steadfast friends, are all in the background if Hawthorn would look around her more. Which feels like a sign in general that there is usually more to situations, more possibilities than we may realize at the time - certainly true in reflecting on my own past, stuff which seemed so very important or dire… that really was not.
A story about a girl who becomes obsessed with the disappearance of one of her peers to the point of self destruction. It was both funny and heartbreaking, Hawthorne is relatable as the outcast high-schooler with few friends and through this she goes on a journey of self discovery in the most unusual way.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. The ending was neither good nor bad, but the characters and their world felt super-real to me. Read it in a day because it was so engrossing.