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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Wow. WOW. It's tough to write books about bullying from the bully's perspective, because you have to be wary about making the bully seen to sympathetic. You have to show that what the bully did was wrong, but you also have to show that they didn't realize it, but you also have to make sure the victim is a victim. You have to make the bully and the victim human; they both have their good moments and their bad. You have to show that anyone can be a bully if they're not careful, not aware of their actions.
This book accomplished that. It walked the line between sympathizing with the victim and the bully. There were times when I was appalled at the actions of the bully, and there were times when I understood the bully's actions. I was able to put myself in the bully's shoes while still feeling terrible for the victim. Best of all, there was remorse and regret. It didn't come about right away, but emerged slowly as it would in real life. This book was a fantastic look into the dangers of bullying. I think it could open up some excellent conversations about bullying, and it could potentially open the eyes of people who are unintentionally (or intentionally) bullying someone. Teachers, take note. You're going to want your students to read this one.
This book accomplished that. It walked the line between sympathizing with the victim and the bully. There were times when I was appalled at the actions of the bully, and there were times when I understood the bully's actions. I was able to put myself in the bully's shoes while still feeling terrible for the victim. Best of all, there was remorse and regret. It didn't come about right away, but emerged slowly as it would in real life. This book was a fantastic look into the dangers of bullying. I think it could open up some excellent conversations about bullying, and it could potentially open the eyes of people who are unintentionally (or intentionally) bullying someone. Teachers, take note. You're going to want your students to read this one.
The bully was hard to stomach, but it was an interesting concept, the POV being the bully instead of the victim. Full review coming soon. Book Three of the read-a-thon finished!
"And for no reason I could ever explain in a million years, I flip up my middle finger at her. I’ve never done that before—not for real, not in a non-joking way—and it feels really strange. And kind of cheesy. But at the same time it feels really, like, powerful."
"Emma was a boyfriend-stealing bitch right up until the day in March when she killed herself.
I didn’t do anything wrong, but she totally ruined my life.
[...]
And now the whole world thinks Emma Putnam killed herself because we called her a slut—not because she was a slut. "
Sara is the sidekick of classic high school mean girl, Brielle. In a "ripped from the headlines" story about social media bullying and suicide, Tease asks the question "what if bullies aren't all one-dimensional?"
The book is told partly in flashback, partly in present-day, with Sara at summer school and dealing with an impending court date. It is a very difficult read being in her head, as she is a deeply unsympathetic and unreliable narrator, as well as coming across as selfish, cowardly, malicious, anxious, and desperate. As the book opens Sara is complaining about Emma Putname's suicide "ruining her life". At the same time, the author makes strong attempts to humanise and explain Sara's actions, and we especially see her humanity in her interaction with her little brothers.
We rapidly found out that Sara was a big part of Emma's bullying. Her emotional torture centred around slut-shaming and mental illness-shaming, though the latter was not as prominent or well examined (a ripe field for more examination, I feel). The book did make some inroads into highlighting how poisonous the societal slut-shaming narrative is - at least for readers who are already on board with relevant feminist narratives. I'm not sure how effective that message (unmediated by, say, a class discussion) would be for those just starting out on the road.
We wonder whether Sara will gain insight as the book progresses, and
Overall Tease is a solid attempt at looking at complicated nature of bullying, how bullies justify it to themselves and make excuses, the process of being easily led, and the fallout of "teasing" for both victims and bullies.
Unlike many other "issue" books, this is less a story for victims, and more a cautionary tale for (potential) bullies. I really don't think that bullying victims need to be subjected to a long drawn-out lecture about how not all of their torturers are horrible people, and that leaves me feeling rather uncomfortable about how this book might be used in teaching settings. Carefully, I hope, if at all.
Content notes for bullying, suicide, sexual assault, ableist and sexist language.
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads Giveaway
*Spoilers Ahead*
I was excited to read this book as it was a new genre for me. I have not read a book that discusses bullying and suicide, which is a very important and sensitive topic but was glad to have the chance to see how it would be portrayed in this book. Also, this book was out of my comfort zone which is another reason I was excited to read.
This book gave me mixed emotions. I understood the importance of bullying but Sara, the main character was likeable on moment then slowly made me confused. While reading the book I immediately wanted to know more, wanted to know Emma's side of the story and was expecting more details and evidence on bullying and why it started but felt that I did not get closure. However, through Sara's statement at the end I felt a little bit of closure and could see her full potential shining through.
At some points the book just seemed to be about Sara and her relationship to Dylan, especially on Prom night but I only saw Sara blaming Emma, not Dylan as well. I could not understand why Sara only saw Emma as the one she needed to get back at but after reading the book and reflecting, I understand that it is high school. The environment, the people, the time in Sara's life made me reflect on my own times in high school and see how people can grow.
I expected more from this book in many aspects but am glad I got to read a book outside my comfort zone. Not only that but it makes me realize how important it is to know that there are more sides to every story and to reflect on my actions as well. Important lessons learned.
*Spoilers Ahead*
I was excited to read this book as it was a new genre for me. I have not read a book that discusses bullying and suicide, which is a very important and sensitive topic but was glad to have the chance to see how it would be portrayed in this book. Also, this book was out of my comfort zone which is another reason I was excited to read.
This book gave me mixed emotions. I understood the importance of bullying but Sara, the main character was likeable on moment then slowly made me confused. While reading the book I immediately wanted to know more, wanted to know Emma's side of the story and was expecting more details and evidence on bullying and why it started but felt that I did not get closure. However, through Sara's statement at the end I felt a little bit of closure and could see her full potential shining through.
At some points the book just seemed to be about Sara and her relationship to Dylan, especially on Prom night but I only saw Sara blaming Emma, not Dylan as well. I could not understand why Sara only saw Emma as the one she needed to get back at but after reading the book and reflecting, I understand that it is high school. The environment, the people, the time in Sara's life made me reflect on my own times in high school and see how people can grow.
I expected more from this book in many aspects but am glad I got to read a book outside my comfort zone. Not only that but it makes me realize how important it is to know that there are more sides to every story and to reflect on my actions as well. Important lessons learned.
VIDEO REVIEW: https://youtu.be/wvv1gci7ong
When 16 year old Emma Putnam commits suicide, everyone blames Sara Wharton, her best friend, Brielle and three other students from her school. Now they're being put on trial, being charged for constantly harassing and bullying Emma which ultimately pushed her over the edge.
Tease deals with some very serious issues ranging from bullying to slut-shaming to suicide. Told in the perspective of the bully, who feels no remorse for anything she's done, Sara was melodramatic and a cold hearted bitch. She was constantly whining about how her life is over and how "slutty" Emma ruined everything. The book was very hard to read... it was disturbing almost, to think that people actually might think this way, it really made you stop and think. Everyone in the school knew Emma was being bullied, yet nobody stepped up to help her just because Sara and Brielle were basically running the high school. The book consists of flashbacks from when Emma was still alive and the present day when Sara is preparing for trial. I thought that this was a very interesting way to portray the story and I did enjoy the narrative style.
I think the biggest problem I had with this book was the slut-shaming. Of course, I know that this is a big issue in today's society... but it infuriated me that everything was Emma's fault. Yes, what Emma did was wrong, and she is definitely not innocent in the situation, but is no one going to take into consideration that the BOYS were also the ones being slutty?! Dylan, Sara's BOYFRIEND, is one of the boys drawn toward Emma, but nobody blames him for anything, it's all Emma's doing. Dylan is considered innocent and Emma is the evil slut who stole Sara's boyfriend, it just doesn't make sense to me.
Overall, it's an interesting read and I liked reading from the bully's perspective. Although the idea of the book was unique and intriguing, the main character Sara and her nasty bff made it a hard read for me. I wish the ending was more clear though, I want to know what punishment the students received in trial and was disappointed I wasn't given it!
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
When 16 year old Emma Putnam commits suicide, everyone blames Sara Wharton, her best friend, Brielle and three other students from her school. Now they're being put on trial, being charged for constantly harassing and bullying Emma which ultimately pushed her over the edge.
Tease deals with some very serious issues ranging from bullying to slut-shaming to suicide. Told in the perspective of the bully, who feels no remorse for anything she's done, Sara was melodramatic and a cold hearted bitch. She was constantly whining about how her life is over and how "slutty" Emma ruined everything. The book was very hard to read... it was disturbing almost, to think that people actually might think this way, it really made you stop and think. Everyone in the school knew Emma was being bullied, yet nobody stepped up to help her just because Sara and Brielle were basically running the high school. The book consists of flashbacks from when Emma was still alive and the present day when Sara is preparing for trial. I thought that this was a very interesting way to portray the story and I did enjoy the narrative style.
I think the biggest problem I had with this book was the slut-shaming. Of course, I know that this is a big issue in today's society... but it infuriated me that everything was Emma's fault. Yes, what Emma did was wrong, and she is definitely not innocent in the situation, but is no one going to take into consideration that the BOYS were also the ones being slutty?! Dylan, Sara's BOYFRIEND, is one of the boys drawn toward Emma, but nobody blames him for anything, it's all Emma's doing. Dylan is considered innocent and Emma is the evil slut who stole Sara's boyfriend, it just doesn't make sense to me.
Overall, it's an interesting read and I liked reading from the bully's perspective. Although the idea of the book was unique and intriguing, the main character Sara and her nasty bff made it a hard read for me. I wish the ending was more clear though, I want to know what punishment the students received in trial and was disappointed I wasn't given it!
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
3.5 stars! Couldn't put this down but I had some "technical issues" amidst all the FEELINGS this gave me!
From my "Final Thoughts" portion of my review:
What a uniquely crafted story dealing with bullying and slut-shaming that manages to NOT be preachy or make everything black and white. I was so intrigued by the POV of the bully and loved the switching of the story in the past and the present. I love a book that I REALLY have to engage with and think about and this book was certainly that. While it wasn’t a technically WOW book for me for a couple reasons, it really did absolutely pull me in and I do recommend it!
Read my full review on my blog!
From my "Final Thoughts" portion of my review:
What a uniquely crafted story dealing with bullying and slut-shaming that manages to NOT be preachy or make everything black and white. I was so intrigued by the POV of the bully and loved the switching of the story in the past and the present. I love a book that I REALLY have to engage with and think about and this book was certainly that. While it wasn’t a technically WOW book for me for a couple reasons, it really did absolutely pull me in and I do recommend it!
Read my full review on my blog!
MAYBE 1.5 if I'm being really, REALLY kind. -_-
This could've been so much better! So much character development could've occurred and this could've been amazing but I hate it. It's like, high school at its worst and then times 2.
I hated the characters. I didn't know Emma really well other than the info Sara provided, so I can't really judge her. I didn't like Sara. At first, I thought she was gonna grow and that her character would develop and you know what, it did. In the very last 10 pages. The whole time, she was like "OMG I didn't do anything WRONG! Stop blaming me! Emma's the boyfriend-stealing slutty bitch! And now I gotta take the blame? Like, WTF, guys?" and I want to bash something against her skull. She and her "best friend", Brielle, annoyed me so much and I hated them. The thing is, I understand that teenagers are rebellious and shallow and whiny and annoying and bitchy. But there surely is a line?
Yes, Sara understands her mistake AT THE END. I didn't see if coming. A chapter ago, she still thought she did nothing wrong and all of a sudden she's sincerely apologising?
The thing is, at first, I didn't even hate the characters. Why? Because things happen, even when you don't mean them to and I was hoping that the characters would start to be more apologetic and more mature. Accept that what they did was wrong she did but it was because it was the last 10 pages and what else can she really do?? There were a lot of messages in this book that I strongly disagreed with but I knew they were real. And they were left untouched and there was nothing said about it. The way I view the world is a lot of the times shaped by the books I read. So I like when books present me an option and I like it when books at least touch on certain subjects. For example, there were a lot of "slut" and "sex" in this book and I would've liked the author to explore that a bit more and how come only Emma was considered a slut? Didn't Dylan also cheat on Sara with Emma and then cheat on EMMA with SARA? *confusing* This book just left most things completely untouched and somehow, in the end, it magically kind of worked out but not really but it did. -_-
If these characters GREW or they were a tad bit less shallow or just... thought a little bit more. I could've liked the book a lot more. But nope.
Sorry for such a weird confusing review. If only I could actually think straight right now...
This could've been so much better! So much character development could've occurred and this could've been amazing but I hate it. It's like, high school at its worst and then times 2.
I hated the characters. I didn't know Emma really well other than the info Sara provided, so I can't really judge her. I didn't like Sara. At first, I thought she was gonna grow and that her character would develop and you know what, it did. In the very last 10 pages. The whole time, she was like "OMG I didn't do anything WRONG! Stop blaming me! Emma's the boyfriend-stealing slutty bitch! And now I gotta take the blame? Like, WTF, guys?" and I want to bash something against her skull. She and her "best friend", Brielle, annoyed me so much and I hated them. The thing is, I understand that teenagers are rebellious and shallow and whiny and annoying and bitchy. But there surely is a line?
Yes, Sara understands her mistake AT THE END. I didn't see if coming. A chapter ago, she still thought she did nothing wrong and all of a sudden she's sincerely apologising?
The thing is, at first, I didn't even hate the characters. Why? Because things happen, even when you don't mean them to and I was hoping that the characters would start to be more apologetic and more mature. Accept that what they did was wrong
If these characters GREW or they were a tad bit less shallow or just... thought a little bit more. I could've liked the book a lot more. But nope.
Sorry for such a weird confusing review. If only I could actually think straight right now...
This book has left such an imprint in my heart.