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bookshelfbybub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book provides an unflinching view of jail. It does not shy away from creating a tense image of fear, violence, and sexual violence.
The format of the book is unique. It switches between the main characters’ journal and a play format. The journal entries give a direct line of sight into Steve’s mind and do a great job of showing his internal conflict and reminding the reader that he is a terrified teenager. The play sections move the plot along while distancing Steve from the crime, masterfully creating a sense of ambiguity about his involvement.
The format of the book is unique. It switches between the main characters’ journal and a play format. The journal entries give a direct line of sight into Steve’s mind and do a great job of showing his internal conflict and reminding the reader that he is a terrified teenager. The play sections move the plot along while distancing Steve from the crime, masterfully creating a sense of ambiguity about his involvement.
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
When I first realized this was in the format of a screenplay I thought I would hate it. For the first few pages, I did. I was very resistant to it. But the format really grew on me, and by the end of the book I felt that it was a great way to tell this story. I found myself really questioning Steve's assertion of innocence. Was the story he told the truth, or the "truth" that he talked himself into believing?
rilez's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tasha_bombastic's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
carlisajc's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the story of Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old on trial for murder. He's charged as the look-out, who went in a convenience store to make sure no one was there and walked out, giving (or not giving) a signal to two other guys who'd go in and rob the place. Only the store clerk ended up dead. And now all three are being tried for murder.
What makes this book interesting is its format. It's a combination of short journal entries of Steve's and a screenplay of his trial (that Steve is writing). This Postmodern effect really adds to the experience. The author doesn't really make it clear whether or not Steve is guilty. So because we experience the trial as a screenplay—a distanced medium—we can act as the jury ourselves to make our own decision about his innocence or lack of.
The screenplay medium also distanced me from Steve, though, so I started to lose sympathy for him. I couldn't connect with him because I barely got any of his personal thoughts. And the thoughts we did get in the journal entries were selective and, frankly, untrustworthy. About halfway through, I started questioning whether what I was reading in his journals and in his screenplay version of his trial was accurate or whether it was just what he wanted us to hear. I think unreliable narrators are actually pretty interesting, thinking about it. It adds complexity, which I like.
What makes this book interesting is its format. It's a combination of short journal entries of Steve's and a screenplay of his trial (that Steve is writing). This Postmodern effect really adds to the experience. The author doesn't really make it clear whether or not Steve is guilty. So because we experience the trial as a screenplay—a distanced medium—we can act as the jury ourselves to make our own decision about his innocence or lack of.
The screenplay medium also distanced me from Steve, though, so I started to lose sympathy for him. I couldn't connect with him because I barely got any of his personal thoughts. And the thoughts we did get in the journal entries were selective and, frankly, untrustworthy. About halfway through, I started questioning whether what I was reading in his journals and in his screenplay version of his trial was accurate or whether it was just what he wanted us to hear. I think unreliable narrators are actually pretty interesting, thinking about it. It adds complexity, which I like.
cartermon4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Racism
alexiathethief's review against another edition
4.0
Well written for a young adult book. It's in play form (is that what it's called)
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
I was a bit disappointed with this one, but I think it's because my expectations were so high. Monster is one of those books I've been hearing about for a decade or so but just never got around to reading, and it's the first-ever Printz winner after all. I definitely provides a lot of food for thought--about the problems with our justice system, primarily--but it felt kind of flat. I didn't feel like I got to know the characters as much as I would have liked to, and the plot was also quite straightforward and one-dimensional. Still, I did enjoy the book overall, especially the unique format. It took me a while to get used to, but telling the story as a film script made the action come to life and feel more real.
sumayyaha's review against another edition
3.0
This was an introspective one and a sad tale of the reality and cruelty of our current justice system.