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dolcezzina21's review against another edition
5.0
Triangles was so enjoyable. I breezed through it and liked the free verse writing style...A nice change of pace. You really get wrapped up in the characters' lives and don't want the book to end. You feel the pain, angst, joy, sorrow in each character's plight. At times, it is a little cliche` or cheesy, but the enjoyment factor/ability to captivate is so high that it holds up to a 5 star status in my mind. The topics are heavy, but relevant to our society, women in particular. Plus, it is beautifully written. I am impressed by the richness of the poetic sidebars and how they flowed into the next character's story so seamlessly. This book is the best I've read from her.
aqlitqueen's review against another edition
5.0
Review: Triangles by Ellen Hopkins
Title: Triangles
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 2011
Good Reads Synopsis
Why I Read It
For those who know my strong dislike of love triangles in YA literature might be surprised by my choice in reading this book, which is all about love triangles. Bear with me though! I chose this book because:
It is a novel in verse. I am currently participating in Camp NaNoWriMo and am trying to write a novel in verse. So it was research. :-)
It was written by Ellen Hopkins. She has written numerous books in verse. Starting with Crank, which was written in response to her own daughter’s struggles with drugs. I have devoured EVERY Ellen Hopkins book I could.
Once I read the book flap, I had to read it.
Short Synopsis (no spoilers)
Three friends–two married, one not. Each unsatisfied with what life has handed them. Is the grass always greener on the other side? It is a story of friendship, the quest for love, and how sometimes working through the most difficult things in life can rebuild everything you desire.
What I Liked
I was looking for books, written in verse, in order to study the style and structure. Of course, I went looking for Hopkins’ newest in her YA series. When I found an adult novel by her, I had to check it out. And I am so glad I did.
Now, I have ranted about love triangles before–Why I Hate <3 Triangles–but that’s mainly in regards to YA novels. This is an adult novel. An adult novel with real adult morality issues. An adult novel about real love triangles and how they are NOT pretty. They hurt people. And they never work out with everyone happy in the end.
Triangles is a novel about three women, who could be any one of us. A single mom doing the best she can to raise her child, while wondering why love has never found her. A married mom of three who seems to have it all, but isn’t satisfied, so seeks out what she thinks will make her happy. A married mom of two whose husband works far too much, because one child was born to die and the other is gay.
Hopkins uses her writing style to help you feel the emotional toll these three women are going through. I thoroughly enjoyed her layout and the use of end poems to wrap up the theme of that section to lead into the next one. I also loved how those end poems could be read in two different ways. There is the poem as a whole and then she sets off one word every stanza or so, that can be read on it’s own and encompasses the theme in the poem.
Each character speaks through her own set of poems. Through these poems the characters become real, their struggles apparent and full of dimension. As a reader, I love traditional novels, but I admire the authors able to write in and tell a story through verse entirely. The author of a verse novel cannot depend on the traditional sets of descriptions and heavy dialogue to tell the story. The story is told through introspective poems from the characters perspectives. I have come to realize this year, as I continue my reading, I particularly enjoy first person narratives far more than others. When I can get inside the characters’ heads and struggle through their struggles and celebrate their triumphs with them, I have a greater appreciation for the story as a whole.
The struggles in this novel, are struggles all women face at some point in their lives. Everyone questions whether the grass is greener, but it is our choice whether to act upon those feelings or not. And that action can actual bring us closer to loving what we originally had, rather than forsaking everything for what we think might be better. But, those same actions can rip apart a family with no hope of repair. Reading this novel put those thoughts, ideas, and decisions in perspective.
There were moments I hated Holly. She had it all and was willing to throw it all away because she thought she could find something better somewhere else. Then there were the moments I felt sorry for Holly. Communication is the key. Why can’t people learn to communicate? It would solve so many problems! I identified most with Andrea. As a single mother, focused on her daughter and her career, I can understand the ideas she struggles with and know how hard it is to find that one thing we are looking for. And, it often finds us when we stop looking. (Yes mom, you were right…sigh…)
I do hope Hopkins will continue writing adult novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Classroom Ideas
There are a few poems that don’t solely focus on the many adult themes running throughout this book I might use with students.
What I Didn’t Like
There are more than a few racy scenes and I am not so much against reading racy material (I broke my teeth in the adult reading world on romance novels, after all :-) ), but I do think it will put some people off the book. It will definitely be one I cannot recommend to my students to read directly, which is sad, because I think some of my students could get some perspective on their own relationships within their families.
My Rating
5 stars!
My Recommendations
Anyone who loves Ellen Hopkins
Anyone who needs a real story about real life love and hurt.
Title: Triangles
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 2011
Good Reads Synopsis
Why I Read It
For those who know my strong dislike of love triangles in YA literature might be surprised by my choice in reading this book, which is all about love triangles. Bear with me though! I chose this book because:
It is a novel in verse. I am currently participating in Camp NaNoWriMo and am trying to write a novel in verse. So it was research. :-)
It was written by Ellen Hopkins. She has written numerous books in verse. Starting with Crank, which was written in response to her own daughter’s struggles with drugs. I have devoured EVERY Ellen Hopkins book I could.
Once I read the book flap, I had to read it.
Short Synopsis (no spoilers)
Three friends–two married, one not. Each unsatisfied with what life has handed them. Is the grass always greener on the other side? It is a story of friendship, the quest for love, and how sometimes working through the most difficult things in life can rebuild everything you desire.
What I Liked
I was looking for books, written in verse, in order to study the style and structure. Of course, I went looking for Hopkins’ newest in her YA series. When I found an adult novel by her, I had to check it out. And I am so glad I did.
Now, I have ranted about love triangles before–Why I Hate <3 Triangles–but that’s mainly in regards to YA novels. This is an adult novel. An adult novel with real adult morality issues. An adult novel about real love triangles and how they are NOT pretty. They hurt people. And they never work out with everyone happy in the end.
Triangles is a novel about three women, who could be any one of us. A single mom doing the best she can to raise her child, while wondering why love has never found her. A married mom of three who seems to have it all, but isn’t satisfied, so seeks out what she thinks will make her happy. A married mom of two whose husband works far too much, because one child was born to die and the other is gay.
Hopkins uses her writing style to help you feel the emotional toll these three women are going through. I thoroughly enjoyed her layout and the use of end poems to wrap up the theme of that section to lead into the next one. I also loved how those end poems could be read in two different ways. There is the poem as a whole and then she sets off one word every stanza or so, that can be read on it’s own and encompasses the theme in the poem.
Each character speaks through her own set of poems. Through these poems the characters become real, their struggles apparent and full of dimension. As a reader, I love traditional novels, but I admire the authors able to write in and tell a story through verse entirely. The author of a verse novel cannot depend on the traditional sets of descriptions and heavy dialogue to tell the story. The story is told through introspective poems from the characters perspectives. I have come to realize this year, as I continue my reading, I particularly enjoy first person narratives far more than others. When I can get inside the characters’ heads and struggle through their struggles and celebrate their triumphs with them, I have a greater appreciation for the story as a whole.
The struggles in this novel, are struggles all women face at some point in their lives. Everyone questions whether the grass is greener, but it is our choice whether to act upon those feelings or not. And that action can actual bring us closer to loving what we originally had, rather than forsaking everything for what we think might be better. But, those same actions can rip apart a family with no hope of repair. Reading this novel put those thoughts, ideas, and decisions in perspective.
There were moments I hated Holly. She had it all and was willing to throw it all away because she thought she could find something better somewhere else. Then there were the moments I felt sorry for Holly. Communication is the key. Why can’t people learn to communicate? It would solve so many problems! I identified most with Andrea. As a single mother, focused on her daughter and her career, I can understand the ideas she struggles with and know how hard it is to find that one thing we are looking for. And, it often finds us when we stop looking. (Yes mom, you were right…sigh…)
I do hope Hopkins will continue writing adult novels. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Classroom Ideas
There are a few poems that don’t solely focus on the many adult themes running throughout this book I might use with students.
What I Didn’t Like
There are more than a few racy scenes and I am not so much against reading racy material (I broke my teeth in the adult reading world on romance novels, after all :-) ), but I do think it will put some people off the book. It will definitely be one I cannot recommend to my students to read directly, which is sad, because I think some of my students could get some perspective on their own relationships within their families.
My Rating
5 stars!
My Recommendations
Anyone who loves Ellen Hopkins
Anyone who needs a real story about real life love and hurt.
kaelyng's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
minseigle's review against another edition
3.0
This is very typical of her books, even if it is for mature adults (as opposed to YA). It seems her characters and plots, not to mention her writing style, are all very much the same from book to book.
That said, I enjoyed the plot, but had a hard time keeping up with who was who. I had to keep looking back to see which kids belonged to which mom, etc. Also, perhaps the story will continue in Tilt, but I did not really get a sense of completion at the end of this book.
That said, I enjoyed the plot, but had a hard time keeping up with who was who. I had to keep looking back to see which kids belonged to which mom, etc. Also, perhaps the story will continue in Tilt, but I did not really get a sense of completion at the end of this book.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"Damaged love is like injured skin, I guess. Sometimes a wound will heal completely. Other times, it leaves a scar."
This book hit me at a weird time. I typically don't like adult books like this. And I REALLY dislike reading about spouses that cheat. And this whole freaking book is all about it.
But, then again, it's not.
This is a REALLY in-depth look at relationships - about love and marriage and the idea of commitment. Why people do commit and why it doesn't work. What makes one person leave may make another stay, and what drives one away may propel another to someone.
And it's all told through powerful words of poetry.
It's the story of a few families. It concerns adults but also the kids - first loves, old loves and whether they are all glad they are in their marriage or if they are single. And at first you start with just seeing who each family is like a summary. The one the world sees. It isn't until you start to get behind their closed doors that you see what is really going on.
It was a hard read, at times, because I wanted to judge the characters. I had to keep reminding myself to read the story and follow their tale. It was worth it.
This book hit me at a weird time. I typically don't like adult books like this. And I REALLY dislike reading about spouses that cheat. And this whole freaking book is all about it.
But, then again, it's not.
This is a REALLY in-depth look at relationships - about love and marriage and the idea of commitment. Why people do commit and why it doesn't work. What makes one person leave may make another stay, and what drives one away may propel another to someone.
And it's all told through powerful words of poetry.
It's the story of a few families. It concerns adults but also the kids - first loves, old loves and whether they are all glad they are in their marriage or if they are single. And at first you start with just seeing who each family is like a summary. The one the world sees. It isn't until you start to get behind their closed doors that you see what is really going on.
It was a hard read, at times, because I wanted to judge the characters. I had to keep reminding myself to read the story and follow their tale. It was worth it.
cnewby927's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting kind of slice of life novel. Three women dealing with very different life crises that are in some way all tangled together. I don't necessarily agree with some of the choices these characters made but all three women felt real.
karmen12's review against another edition
2.0
This was a quick read, but I also feel as though there was no plot and it was kind of boring. I love Ellen Hopkins, but I don’t know if I’ll read the second one.
book_nerd_lisa's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading an Ellen Hopkins book and a book written in verse. I really enjoyed it. She usually writes YA. I think this is her first adult book. Can't wait to read Tilt, which I believe is the same story and characters as this book but told from the teenagers point of view instead of the adults. It's the YA book companion.
ericaregina's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure how I feel about this book right now. Holly is out of control. I'm sorry, if you aren't happy being married, leave. Don't have casual sex with anything breathing, thus putting your husband at risk for anything you might bring home. Amazing home, attentive husband, well toned body and pretty much anything you want....nah, don't feel sorry for her.
I do feel sorry for Missy, no mother wants to lose a child and I think this story is worse having to watch that child knowing she is dying almost from the moment she is born! Add on a husband who has been cheating on her for years while she has been almost on lockdown taking care of their child and it's just too much!
Andrea almost fades into the background of this story except for her one rebellious act of sleeping with her best friends husband. Not sure what to make of that. On one hand you feel like it didn't matter since Holly is sleeping with everyone and does not want to be bothered with her husband. On the other hand it completely upsets the idea of true friendship.
I do feel sorry for Missy, no mother wants to lose a child and I think this story is worse having to watch that child knowing she is dying almost from the moment she is born! Add on a husband who has been cheating on her for years while she has been almost on lockdown taking care of their child and it's just too much!
Andrea almost fades into the background of this story except for her one rebellious act of sleeping with her best friends husband. Not sure what to make of that. On one hand you feel like it didn't matter since Holly is sleeping with everyone and does not want to be bothered with her husband. On the other hand it completely upsets the idea of true friendship.