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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emily Layden for approving me to read the eARC!
"This is what it is to love a place...You have to want it to be better."
The plot of this book is driven by a sexual misconduct case between a teacher and student at an all-girls boarding school in the northeast US. While the alleged misconduct occurred in a past decade, it still impacts the school community as it receives attention in local and regional news outlets. The girls at the school grapple with issues relating to identity including class, privilege, and relationships while also trying to create change, despite the fact that they are often ignored/dismissed by adults. This was a powerful coming of age book that clearly depicts the challenges girls may face today during their teen/college years.
Since each chapter was narrated by a different student, the story often twisted at times when I was growing to love a character. Since the author did an excellent job developing each character, the I cared deeply about each girl and often wanted to know more. Yet,the characters offered unique perspectives without feeling like one character was experiencing an unrealistic load including each possible issue.
This was a great debut novel, and I look forward to future books by this author.
"This is what it is to love a place...You have to want it to be better."
The plot of this book is driven by a sexual misconduct case between a teacher and student at an all-girls boarding school in the northeast US. While the alleged misconduct occurred in a past decade, it still impacts the school community as it receives attention in local and regional news outlets. The girls at the school grapple with issues relating to identity including class, privilege, and relationships while also trying to create change, despite the fact that they are often ignored/dismissed by adults. This was a powerful coming of age book that clearly depicts the challenges girls may face today during their teen/college years.
Since each chapter was narrated by a different student, the story often twisted at times when I was growing to love a character. Since the author did an excellent job developing each character, the I cared deeply about each girl and often wanted to know more. Yet,the characters offered unique perspectives without feeling like one character was experiencing an unrealistic load including each possible issue.
This was a great debut novel, and I look forward to future books by this author.
Fantastic story that shows teenage girls from a new perspective I’ve yet to read about, particularly with a nuanced take on the like-post-share era. I found it nostalgic, prescient, funny, thoughtful wise and all at once entertaining. Definitely recommend!
The coming fo age stories of 9 girls at an all girl boarding school amongst allegations the school doesn't want to come to light.
I think the premise of this book is wonderful. High school is such a hard age for girls, especially at a boarding school. Stories about boarding school fascinate me so much. My over protective parents would have never considered a boarding school (and my behavior in college makes me think they were correct in that decision). Late teen girls are so impressionable but still have so many questions about life, friendships, relationships, and sex.
My criticism is that 9 characters are hard to follow along with. The narration was amazing so that redeemed the confusion and complexity of each girl's story. I would have liked more of a conclusion to each girl's life.
I think the premise of this book is wonderful. High school is such a hard age for girls, especially at a boarding school. Stories about boarding school fascinate me so much. My over protective parents would have never considered a boarding school (and my behavior in college makes me think they were correct in that decision). Late teen girls are so impressionable but still have so many questions about life, friendships, relationships, and sex.
My criticism is that 9 characters are hard to follow along with. The narration was amazing so that redeemed the confusion and complexity of each girl's story. I would have liked more of a conclusion to each girl's life.
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book - the writing style, the message and the exploration of each individual character.
I really loved how modern and real this book is. There were lesbian relationships and hints of same-sex attraction, modern-day technology and social media, and strong women who are determined to get where they want in life. Emily also incorporated eating disorders, sexual abuse and harassment, the importance of sexual education in schools, consent and anxiety.
The chapters were organised into sections like ‘orientation’ and clearly follows the big events in the school year for these girls. The text was also peppered with official school emails, newspaper reports and text messages - these addictions really help break up the text and make the book more enjoyable and intriguing.
We follow the perspectives of different girls in alternating chapters, who are from different grades and who have different backgrounds and are in different social groups. Emily successfully gave each girl her own personality, which, considering the amount of characters, I really admire her for. This was a great way to learn about the girls objectively and helped create a connection.
The past pupil’s (Karen’s) sexual misconduct case is the linking factor between each girl and continues in the background of each chapter. Sometimes it is a very clear contemporary re-enactment of what Karen experienced, but sometimes it is a faint connection, like not being believed by adults. I really liked this subtle link throughout the whole book.
The biggest issue in this book was that, even though the school advertises that it empowers girls to become strong, confident women, they really don’t care about these girls and would do anything to make sure their own reputation is not ruined. It is actually quite a toxic environment underneath the facade the school tries to create. I think this really reflected society today where women are only listened to and policies are only enacted if it benefits and improves the image of something else.
Thank you @netgalley and @emilylayden for this opportunity.
I really loved how modern and real this book is. There were lesbian relationships and hints of same-sex attraction, modern-day technology and social media, and strong women who are determined to get where they want in life. Emily also incorporated eating disorders, sexual abuse and harassment, the importance of sexual education in schools, consent and anxiety.
The chapters were organised into sections like ‘orientation’ and clearly follows the big events in the school year for these girls. The text was also peppered with official school emails, newspaper reports and text messages - these addictions really help break up the text and make the book more enjoyable and intriguing.
We follow the perspectives of different girls in alternating chapters, who are from different grades and who have different backgrounds and are in different social groups. Emily successfully gave each girl her own personality, which, considering the amount of characters, I really admire her for. This was a great way to learn about the girls objectively and helped create a connection.
The past pupil’s (Karen’s) sexual misconduct case is the linking factor between each girl and continues in the background of each chapter. Sometimes it is a very clear contemporary re-enactment of what Karen experienced, but sometimes it is a faint connection, like not being believed by adults. I really liked this subtle link throughout the whole book.
The biggest issue in this book was that, even though the school advertises that it empowers girls to become strong, confident women, they really don’t care about these girls and would do anything to make sure their own reputation is not ruined. It is actually quite a toxic environment underneath the facade the school tries to create. I think this really reflected society today where women are only listened to and policies are only enacted if it benefits and improves the image of something else.
Thank you @netgalley and @emilylayden for this opportunity.
I have recently fallen in love with Alyssa Sheinmel and Laurie Elizabeth Flynn's books and the way they explore female relationships, particularly with teenage characters, and this seemed one more book in that same wave with a very topical theme, so my expectations were high.
I enjoyed how this book explored so many perspectives by having each chapter being told by a different girl which I found perfect for those that like to space their reading. (Which I was not able to do and I'm not sorry).
More than about the scandal/alleged crime itself, this is a book about how a closed community deals with scrutiny and the lack of answers and weaseling from its leaders.
Although gender and race were featured, what most grabbed my attention was whenever class and money were addressed. Every girl was always fully aware that the school (and world) put a price tag on them and the moment their perceived value was less than what they feared losing, they would be forfeited. Something else I really liked was how the author got the bureaucratic and politically correct language so right when it came to big institutions promising to care for their pupils or employees' welfare while only ever protecting their reputation and donors list.
While I hated the kind of environment this book was set in, I applaud the author for making me like or at the very least understand why these characters were a certain way while still being able to be surprised for good and bad.
Emily Layden portrayed a very diverse cast of teenagers as thinking, opinionated, resourceful people, some of whom are ostracised by the cynicism that comes from understanding what the more innocent or idealistic ones still will: that when a young girl fights for what she believes, as she was taught, she is often derailed by those same mentors, who are happy to decorate their world with smart women as long as they get to stand over them.
I was left a bit frustrated by the ending because it was exactly the kind of ending you would get in reality and to see white people get away with crimes, we would just turn on the TV but at the same time, I was also thankful for the journey this book took me through.
Thank you to John Murrays for sending me this ARC.
I enjoyed how this book explored so many perspectives by having each chapter being told by a different girl which I found perfect for those that like to space their reading. (Which I was not able to do and I'm not sorry).
More than about the scandal/alleged crime itself, this is a book about how a closed community deals with scrutiny and the lack of answers and weaseling from its leaders.
Although gender and race were featured, what most grabbed my attention was whenever class and money were addressed. Every girl was always fully aware that the school (and world) put a price tag on them and the moment their perceived value was less than what they feared losing, they would be forfeited. Something else I really liked was how the author got the bureaucratic and politically correct language so right when it came to big institutions promising to care for their pupils or employees' welfare while only ever protecting their reputation and donors list.
While I hated the kind of environment this book was set in, I applaud the author for making me like or at the very least understand why these characters were a certain way while still being able to be surprised for good and bad.
Emily Layden portrayed a very diverse cast of teenagers as thinking, opinionated, resourceful people, some of whom are ostracised by the cynicism that comes from understanding what the more innocent or idealistic ones still will: that when a young girl fights for what she believes, as she was taught, she is often derailed by those same mentors, who are happy to decorate their world with smart women as long as they get to stand over them.
I was left a bit frustrated by the ending because it was exactly the kind of ending you would get in reality and to see white people get away with crimes, we would just turn on the TV but at the same time, I was also thankful for the journey this book took me through.
Thank you to John Murrays for sending me this ARC.
All Girls is the story of an all girls boarding school following the aftermath of a decades old sexual assault on campus. The book following the girls during their year at Atwater and discusses campus and #metoo politics.
What I Appreciated About This Book: I loved this book! I am a huge fan of campus novels, and character-driven novels, both of which is All Girls. I enjoyed learning about each of the girls, their backgrounds, their experiences at Atwater and reaction to the rape alligations hitting campus. I also loved how Laydan set up the novel in sections based on important events on campus in chronical order, like orientation to graduation. There is a lot said in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the girls at Atwater, and I find myself still thinking about them.
What Did Not Work For Me: This is a very me book, but it won't be for everyone. It's a quieter novel and has a lot of characters. I know the number of girls discussed was confusing for some readers, but it didn't bother me. If you are looking for a thriller or a fast-paced novel with lots of twists, this isn't it. But, I loved it, so if we tend to agree on books, check this one out!
TW: rape/sexual assault
What I Appreciated About This Book: I loved this book! I am a huge fan of campus novels, and character-driven novels, both of which is All Girls. I enjoyed learning about each of the girls, their backgrounds, their experiences at Atwater and reaction to the rape alligations hitting campus. I also loved how Laydan set up the novel in sections based on important events on campus in chronical order, like orientation to graduation. There is a lot said in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the girls at Atwater, and I find myself still thinking about them.
What Did Not Work For Me: This is a very me book, but it won't be for everyone. It's a quieter novel and has a lot of characters. I know the number of girls discussed was confusing for some readers, but it didn't bother me. If you are looking for a thriller or a fast-paced novel with lots of twists, this isn't it. But, I loved it, so if we tend to agree on books, check this one out!
TW: rape/sexual assault
i flew through this -- very fun characters and the change of perspective was well done. i think it could have addressed some larger issues more -- it came close to but did not really interact with many complex social phenomenons. privilege, race, power dynamics, lgbtq experience within environments that emphasize traditional gender expressions, etc.
I liked this in completely different ways than I was hoping to. This won't be a book you'd use to talk about changing the world, but it offers a commentary on mid-2010s life for a collection of girls at a prestigious boarding school in Connecticut, amidst an on-going investigation of the campus' handling of a young girls report of being raped by a teacher. Would make for a good book discussion.
The thing people seem to dislike the most was actually one of my favorite parts of the book- multiple POVs of characters who then pop up in other chapters, giving you a sense of both how they’re seen and how they see themselves. For me, the ultimate realization— “this is what it means to love something, you want it to be better”— hit home in a very raw way.