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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
R.I.P. Ned Vizzini: you were gone before your time. Be More Chill is classic Vizzini with a science fiction twist. This is a world where you can swallow a supercomputer and be instructed in the ways of coolness. A sort of high school, matrix-y type concept that may have needed to be flushed out more, but was entertaining nonetheless.
wanted to read this book because i liked the musical. realized i only like the musical because of the songs, not the story. totally on me though, my bad
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Broadway musical is a lot better, watch the slime tutorial instead. Moral of the story is drugs are bad, stimulants are addictive and will try to kill you, peer pressure is bad. A weird writing style again, childish prose but more mature adult Highschool topics. Jeremy is a good kid, riddled with insecurity. Weed is only drug people should be experimenting with but kids are crazy. Looking at a computer’s rationale in a humans mind is something fresh in a book. It was the perfect motif in a conversation about addiction and mental health for the current audience. The feeling a kid goes through in Highschool today was accurate and presented in a respectful way but I found the ending cliché and underwhelming. I wanted more Micheal in the bathroom.
Sat down and finished in one sitting, so I can guarantee this can be a quick read for anyone.
I liked the book much more once Jeremy gets squiped, I think Christine gets a lot nicer during that time as well.
I don’t really like how girls we basically all treated the same and just seen as rings on a belt for Jeremy.
I love the play, but one thing I really liked here was that the Squip wasn’t just out right the villain. He actually did want to help Jeremy and admitted he was faulty, and therefore had to be destroyed. It actually made me a little bit sad.
I did think the ending was a bit different, like how could the Squip think that Jeremy doing that on stage was a good idea? I have no idea.
It will be interesting to rewatch the musical and compare it to the book!
I liked the book much more once Jeremy gets squiped, I think Christine gets a lot nicer during that time as well.
I don’t really like how girls we basically all treated the same and just seen as rings on a belt for Jeremy.
I love the play, but one thing I really liked here was that the Squip wasn’t just out right the villain. He actually did want to help Jeremy and admitted he was faulty, and therefore had to be destroyed. It actually made me a little bit sad.
I did think the ending was a bit different, like how could the Squip think that Jeremy doing that on stage was a good idea? I have no idea.
It will be interesting to rewatch the musical and compare it to the book!
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like Ned Vizzini as an author, and Be More Chill is one of my favorite stories of his. For me, it’s easy to sympathize with the main character because he’s a nerdy guy who’s a little bit awkward, and he just wants to find a way to get his crush to go out with him, but it’s really difficult for him. I’ve been there, and considering the fact that this book takes place one town over from me, in the town where I went to high school (Metuchen, NJ) it was so easy to picture myself in it. And what awkward guy wouldn’t want a supercomputer in his head helping him navigate the treacherous world of relationships? So I loved the plot. But the ending was a bit abrupt, and the idea of “cool” in this book wasn’t exactly what I feel it should have been. The ending was super meta though, and I liked that. A fun, short read by a great author.