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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Yikes, I expected shallow, unlikeable characters but there is literally nothing redeemable about most of them, especially the lead. I get that in high school everything shallow seemed SO IMPORTANT but still, you'd think after the death of a classmate the other characters would have a smidgen of conscience about what led her to do what she did. But nope. Life goes on for them, nothing more than a blip in the background.
"When Emma Putnam commits suicide, several of her classmates, including Sara Wharton, are charged for bullying. Sara is tired of people saying it was all her (and her friends') fault when Emma was not the angel the media is making her out to be. Regardless, Sara can hardly walk outside without someone shooting her dirty looks or telling her she should be ashamed of herself. Now possibly facing trial, Sara has to relive the events that put her in the place she's in and decide where she will go now that no one seems to like her." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=44205
it happened to me: i came to goodreads to add a book i just finished and apparently i read it four years ago
also available on: http://aishareadsbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/tease-by-amanda-maciel-review-new.html
This book was a whirlwind of emotions for me. On one hand, I do not condone bullying in anyway. On the other, I have been to an all girl school and I realise just how fine the line is between bullying and an intense dislike for someone. Some elements are stronger than others, but the strongest bits are definitely worth 5 stars whereas I felt weaker bits such as poor reasoning of characterisation being worthy of 3 stars, therefore giving this book a weird sliding scale.
As the blurb above states, Emma Putnam has committed suicide and Sara is partly to blame, at least in the eyes of the law.
The story is only seen from Sara's eyes so it's kind of hard to see exactly where the divide between Emma's personal problems and Sara's behaviour is. As it is, Sara is able to see that she doesn't always want to do/say the things she does to Emma but after the fact, especially when put on trial, it's a lot harder for her to associate herself with her own behaviour.
Emma is generally being bullied for supposedly being a "slut" which sadly is something a lot of young girls are willing to call each other, regardless of whether any actual "slut behaviour" has occurred. I felt very uncomfortable reading in Sara's perspective sometimes because some of the things she does are just so cruel and she continues to disassociate herself from things that she 100% definitely did.
This book goes through two different timelines, the first is a time where Emma is alive, and the second follows Sara going through the trial prep and therapy. I like how the chapter typography lets you know which point in the story you're at and I think that was a good choice because it prepares you for being back in Sara's mindset when she was bullying Sara.
Because despite the reasons that Sara had for not being nice to Emma, she did very much bully her and put her down to make herself feel better and it genuinely hurt my heart to read it happening.
Despite this, I still found myself feeling sorry for Sara. I know this makes me seem like a disgusting person, but she is also hurting over the course of this book. She has to come to terms with the fact that her actions resulted in pushing someone over the edge and that her everyone she knows, including her own mother, now sees her differently. Most importantly I think is that she comes to terms with seeing why/how people are looking at her differently. I felt a bit awkward about where Maciel decided to take Sara's personal story even though I know
One interesting thing that I think Maciel picks up on perfectly is the mentally of the girls that were perfectly happy joining in Emma's bullying either directly or passively, but only standing up for Emma after she's clearly felt that she's had no one to turn to. I've seen things like this happen a lot and if I'm honest, it infuriates me because right is right regardless of the situation. If someone is being unnecessarily harsh, you should feel comfortable telling them so regardless of whether someone is alive or dead. If for no other reason than to feel comfortable within yourself.
This book was a whirlwind of emotions for me. On one hand, I do not condone bullying in anyway. On the other, I have been to an all girl school and I realise just how fine the line is between bullying and an intense dislike for someone. Some elements are stronger than others, but the strongest bits are definitely worth 5 stars whereas I felt weaker bits such as poor reasoning of characterisation being worthy of 3 stars, therefore giving this book a weird sliding scale.
As the blurb above states, Emma Putnam has committed suicide and Sara is partly to blame, at least in the eyes of the law.
The story is only seen from Sara's eyes so it's kind of hard to see exactly where the divide between Emma's personal problems and Sara's behaviour is. As it is, Sara is able to see that she doesn't always want to do/say the things she does to Emma but after the fact, especially when put on trial, it's a lot harder for her to associate herself with her own behaviour.
Emma is generally being bullied for supposedly being a "slut" which sadly is something a lot of young girls are willing to call each other, regardless of whether any actual "slut behaviour" has occurred. I felt very uncomfortable reading in Sara's perspective sometimes because some of the things she does are just so cruel and she continues to disassociate herself from things that she 100% definitely did.
This book goes through two different timelines, the first is a time where Emma is alive, and the second follows Sara going through the trial prep and therapy. I like how the chapter typography lets you know which point in the story you're at and I think that was a good choice because it prepares you for being back in Sara's mindset when she was bullying Sara.
Because despite the reasons that Sara had for not being nice to Emma, she did very much bully her and put her down to make herself feel better and it genuinely hurt my heart to read it happening.
Despite this, I still found myself feeling sorry for Sara. I know this makes me seem like a disgusting person, but she is also hurting over the course of this book. She has to come to terms with the fact that her actions resulted in pushing someone over the edge and that her everyone she knows, including her own mother, now sees her differently. Most importantly I think is that she comes to terms with seeing why/how people are looking at her differently. I felt a bit awkward about where Maciel decided to take Sara's personal story even though I know
One interesting thing that I think Maciel picks up on perfectly is the mentally of the girls that were perfectly happy joining in Emma's bullying either directly or passively, but only standing up for Emma after she's clearly felt that she's had no one to turn to. I've seen things like this happen a lot and if I'm honest, it infuriates me because right is right regardless of the situation. If someone is being unnecessarily harsh, you should feel comfortable telling them so regardless of whether someone is alive or dead. If for no other reason than to feel comfortable within yourself.
The book Tease was about the main character Sara and some of her classmates being accused (and charged) with the bullying that led to the suicide of a classmate, Emma.
This book was only okay for me. I enjoyed that the reader was in the head of the bully, but it got to the point where I kept having to put the book down because I was tired of the excuses that Sara kept making for herself. At first, I was confused about the time periods changing from what led to the incident and what happened after it, but eventually I came to love this writing style. I love the plot, and there were many valuable lessons to be learned in this novel, but the characters left something to be desired. None of the characters were very fleshed out. They left something to be desired.
I will remember this novel for a while, but only because of how realistic it seems. I will recommend this book to others, because the insight that this book gave, although fiction, really resonated with me. I hope that others will enjoy this book.
This book was only okay for me. I enjoyed that the reader was in the head of the bully, but it got to the point where I kept having to put the book down because I was tired of the excuses that Sara kept making for herself. At first, I was confused about the time periods changing from what led to the incident and what happened after it, but eventually I came to love this writing style. I love the plot, and there were many valuable lessons to be learned in this novel, but the characters left something to be desired. None of the characters were very fleshed out. They left something to be desired.
I will remember this novel for a while, but only because of how realistic it seems. I will recommend this book to others, because the insight that this book gave, although fiction, really resonated with me. I hope that others will enjoy this book.
I really got into this book. I had conversations with this book. I may have to make people in my book club read this book just so that I can talk more about it. Excellent audio narration.
I received a copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book whatsoever. It is my true opinion only
Considering this book was old from a bully, I really enjoyed this book.
It is different and refreshing and shows reality of what bullying can be like in schools.
I really liked how the main character Sara showed signs of cracks where she felt pressured to do it.
The title of this book really has different meanings to the story; whether you're called a tease, or whether you're teasing someone.
I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Emma, and felt sorry for her.
For most people, Sara will come across as a snobby, attention seeking bully and may find it uncomfortable to read.
If you push past that, you will realise that was Amanda's intention so you can get inside the head of a bully.
If you really like your contemporaries, then pick this one up =)
Considering this book was old from a bully, I really enjoyed this book.
It is different and refreshing and shows reality of what bullying can be like in schools.
I really liked how the main character Sara showed signs of cracks where she felt pressured to do it.
The title of this book really has different meanings to the story; whether you're called a tease, or whether you're teasing someone.
I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Emma, and felt sorry for her.
For most people, Sara will come across as a snobby, attention seeking bully and may find it uncomfortable to read.
If you push past that, you will realise that was Amanda's intention so you can get inside the head of a bully.
If you really like your contemporaries, then pick this one up =)
I didn't get the tittle when it should be bulling or pick on. Some times the strong become weak when the weak are not strong.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Suicide