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therestlessbookflea07's review against another edition
4.0
WARNING: The novel contains potential trigger contents including sexual assault, household disputes, alcohol consumption, and peer pressure.
I should have prepared myself more properly for this hahaha *gushes angry tears*
I was supposed to read this in my previous previous semester for one of my major courses but the introductory phase of the book troubled me to be hooked. (Of course I didn't admitted to my teacher that I failed to read it nyehehe) Few semesters later, I decided to revisit our supposed reading lists and finally decided to read and finish this. THIS.
This testimonial story of Melinda narrates her forceful suppression and battle with her horrid past cruelly stained by a senior named Andy Evans. In her attempts to simply succeed high school, her mortifying experience gradually resurfaces and condemns her present days--affecting and reflecting her relationship with her family and *believed* friends.
Perhaps the seemingly casual writing could be better presented, yet overall it helped achieve the authenticity of the grounding message of the novel especially the context portrayed. ANDDDD I should have really prepared for the content and THE message. The rawness and the looping, spiraling and encasing experience of Mel is greatly mourned and at the same time well-appreciated.
A recommended read!
I should have prepared myself more properly for this hahaha *gushes angry tears*
I was supposed to read this in my previous previous semester for one of my major courses but the introductory phase of the book troubled me to be hooked. (Of course I didn't admitted to my teacher that I failed to read it nyehehe) Few semesters later, I decided to revisit our supposed reading lists and finally decided to read and finish this. THIS.
This testimonial story of Melinda narrates her forceful suppression and battle with her horrid past cruelly stained by a senior named Andy Evans. In her attempts to simply succeed high school, her mortifying experience gradually resurfaces and condemns her present days--affecting and reflecting her relationship with her family and *believed* friends.
Perhaps the seemingly casual writing could be better presented, yet overall it helped achieve the authenticity of the grounding message of the novel especially the context portrayed. ANDDDD I should have really prepared for the content and THE message. The rawness and the looping, spiraling and encasing experience of Mel is greatly mourned and at the same time well-appreciated.
A recommended read!
kaikai1618's review against another edition
5.0
This book had such a powerful message and was well crafted. I felt the character's voice through the whole thing. Read it in a day.
I just finished and I just have this unexplainable feeling like
This book hit home.
Those kinds of book that make you feel something are something to applaud, and this book made me FEEL.
I just finished and I just have this unexplainable feeling like
This book hit home.
Those kinds of book that make you feel something are something to applaud, and this book made me FEEL.
rebekahy's review
5.0
Read in one sitting before heading to work. I couldn't put it down. So well written.
frostap's review against another edition
4.0
I remember seeing this when I was in junior high and thinking the subject matter seemed a little old for me. I was probably right at the time, but this would have been a good high school read. The characters are realistic and it appears to be an accurate portrait of depression. I enjoyed it.
chipottleworker's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whatamidoing_rn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
This was a really quick read and it was really interesting too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Rape
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been on my "to-read" list for a long time and I finally got round to reading it. We don't find out why Melinda doesn't want to speak until just over half way through the book but I had guessed it pretty early on. I was naughty and flicked to the last page to see if the reason is mentioned and the last sentence is: Melinda - "Let me tell you about it", so here I am halfway through the book and hadn't found out yet so I'm thinking 'I hope we find out why and we as readers aren't left to think what we want to think!'. But fortunately we find out. I felt for Melinda because I knew how hard year 9 at high school is and the peer pressure your friends put on you. I was so glad that it had a happy ending and the horrible people got what they deserved. I think when this was first published in 1999 it would've been a very confronting and maybe a bit dark but since then I have read books that are far worse. Overall I did like the book because it felt real, I then read in the back where it said its based on true emotions.
astratton1027's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rhmunch512's review against another edition
2.0
it was ok, the story was sad but personally i found the book quite boring a part from a few parts.
thebasicbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault