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ohnoflora's review against another edition
4.0
Read for the YA Book Prize. What a strong shortlist, by the way. You can see it here: http://www.thebookseller.com/ya-book-prize/2016
I read Jenny Downham's [b:Before I Die|1314332|Before I Die|Jenny Downham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348002855s/1314332.jpg|3128767] when it came out and it utterly blindsided me. I had never really read anything like it: a contemporary teen novel that felt contemporary; characters whose voices were fresh; a plot about living (and dying) with cancer that wasn't sentimental. The characters were flawed and we were allowed to dislike them at times - cancer doesn't stop you from being a brat. It felt honest. It felt real. I wept buckets and read it four times.
I didn't read her second book ([b:You Against Me|8720917|You Against Me|Jenny Downham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311064228s/8720917.jpg|13593837]) but I am delighted to come to Unbecoming, almost ten years on, and discover that what I loved about the first book is still very much in evidence in the third. Fresh voices, characters that aren't clichés, issues (sexuality, aging, family secrets) dealt with honestly and without sentimentality.
This is maybe the first book I've read in which a character with Alzheimer's is neither grotesque nor a tragedy. This is maybe the first book I've read in which a character with Alzheimer's is funny and sparky and sad all at once; who is, in fact, a person.
The only bum note is the TXT SPK that the author insists on using - you are writing about/for teenagers! At least learn how they communicate with each other!
It also is quite long, which some might find difficult. It also perhaps wraps up a little too neatly. Other than that, it is very good. I cried several times but it never felt maudlin.
I read Jenny Downham's [b:Before I Die|1314332|Before I Die|Jenny Downham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348002855s/1314332.jpg|3128767] when it came out and it utterly blindsided me. I had never really read anything like it: a contemporary teen novel that felt contemporary; characters whose voices were fresh; a plot about living (and dying) with cancer that wasn't sentimental. The characters were flawed and we were allowed to dislike them at times - cancer doesn't stop you from being a brat. It felt honest. It felt real. I wept buckets and read it four times.
I didn't read her second book ([b:You Against Me|8720917|You Against Me|Jenny Downham|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1311064228s/8720917.jpg|13593837]) but I am delighted to come to Unbecoming, almost ten years on, and discover that what I loved about the first book is still very much in evidence in the third. Fresh voices, characters that aren't clichés, issues (sexuality, aging, family secrets) dealt with honestly and without sentimentality.
This is maybe the first book I've read in which a character with Alzheimer's is neither grotesque nor a tragedy. This is maybe the first book I've read in which a character with Alzheimer's is funny and sparky and sad all at once; who is, in fact, a person.
The only bum note is the TXT SPK that the author insists on using - you are writing about/for teenagers! At least learn how they communicate with each other!
It also is quite long, which some might find difficult. It also perhaps wraps up a little too neatly. Other than that, it is very good. I cried several times but it never felt maudlin.
holsarmstrong's review against another edition
DNF @ 58%
I am so sad to be DNFing this seeing as I really like JD but this was honestly hard to get into combined with the slowness of the book and I really tried to but it just didn’t work for me.
I am so sad to be DNFing this seeing as I really like JD but this was honestly hard to get into combined with the slowness of the book and I really tried to but it just didn’t work for me.
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a great book that I truly enjoyed. I felt a lot of emotions as I listened and rooted for the characters. I’m glad it wasn’t too wrapped up in a nice bow, because that would feel unrealistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
If you are raw about a family member going through dementia or Alzheimer’s, this might be a difficult read.lynnedf's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn between giving this a 4 star review and a 2 star one.
The 4 star aspects:
MARY!!!! She was a brilliant character. I loved discovering her story as she remembered them. Her loss of memory was sad but so well described.
Her relationship with Katie was lovely.
2 star aspects:
Caroline - she should have played a far larger role earlier in the book to understand her deep rooted anger and get a better understanding of why she was the way she was. Her story of abandonment and loss could and should have been a bigger part of this novel.
Katie - her "secret" didn't feel authentic. I also wish that they had shared more of the incident between herself and Esme. But as she built her relationship with Mary - Katie blossomed and became an interesting character.
I would have liked Pat's point of view for a bit too.
Honestly, I think if this had been totally about Mary and Caroline, with Katie playing a more minor role, it would have been a solid 4 star read.
Lovely writing and well paced (for the most part).
The 4 star aspects:
MARY!!!! She was a brilliant character. I loved discovering her story as she remembered them. Her loss of memory was sad but so well described.
Her relationship with Katie was lovely.
2 star aspects:
Caroline - she should have played a far larger role earlier in the book to understand her deep rooted anger and get a better understanding of why she was the way she was. Her story of abandonment and loss could and should have been a bigger part of this novel.
Katie - her "secret" didn't feel authentic. I also wish that they had shared more of the incident between herself and Esme. But as she built her relationship with Mary - Katie blossomed and became an interesting character.
I would have liked Pat's point of view for a bit too.
Honestly, I think if this had been totally about Mary and Caroline, with Katie playing a more minor role, it would have been a solid 4 star read.
Lovely writing and well paced (for the most part).
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
There are no real surprises or twists here, just a great description of a woman's descent into Alzheimer's (Mary's flashes of memory and clarity while the rest is fog were compelling) and ordinary family angst stuff. My biggest problem was that there was one too many issues: Mary's Alzheimer's... Caroline's anger at Mary, her ex and 'past self'... Katie's coming out... Chris' learning issues and missing his father. That may be why there are no surprises, or it may be that the author felt that each character needed something special to make them compelling. It didn't really waork for me.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
marinazala's review against another edition
4.0
** Books 74 - 2016 **
4 of 5 stars!
Hello my name is Katie! I was seventeen years old and lived with my mother, Caroline and my younger brother, Chris. We always lived look like so happy but actually it didn't. Suddenly, we've got news that my grandma, Mary is being hospitalized and doesn't know who she is. Iam really upset why my mom doesn't tell me anything about her. In the same time, i feel very exhausted since all of my friends stay away from me especially Esme, my bestfriend. I know it is my fault since i kissed her last time but what should i do with this sucks feeling?? I can't tell anything to my mom since she wants me to be purrfect and best student. I just also can't tell to my dad since he lived with his new wife right now.
Only Mary who really understands me very well. She always can be reliable even i know she kinda have dementia's disease. She told me and chris about her young experience, how about she lived with my mom, how she have dad and older sisters, pat. I wanna know her very well since why my mom looks like really hates her to live with us? I am shocked when i know the truth that my mom grow up with Pat not my grandma. What the hell is that? I know there is something hidden with my mom and mary's past. Why she lies to me and chris about the truth one :(
I am very sad yeah since my mom forbid me to go to the school's party. I'm still asking myself why i always dreaming girls in my night? I try to having date with one of cute guy, Jamie but why Simona's face always hanging in my mind in these days? I can't talk to everyone. i'm really afraid that everyone will not accept me as the way i am. Iam not a perfect katie :')
If you love family conflict such as [b:The Husband's Secret|17802724|The Husband's Secret|Liane Moriarty|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375762213s/17802724.jpg|23986788] by The Liane Moriarty, [b:We Were Liars|16143347|We Were Liars|E. Lockhart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402749479s/16143347.jpg|21975829] by E. Lockhart this books will be perfect for you. I simply love the conflict and how the family solving the problem is. it is really touching my heart :)
4 of 5 stars!
Hello my name is Katie! I was seventeen years old and lived with my mother, Caroline and my younger brother, Chris. We always lived look like so happy but actually it didn't. Suddenly, we've got news that my grandma, Mary is being hospitalized and doesn't know who she is. Iam really upset why my mom doesn't tell me anything about her. In the same time, i feel very exhausted since all of my friends stay away from me especially Esme, my bestfriend. I know it is my fault since i kissed her last time but what should i do with this sucks feeling?? I can't tell anything to my mom since she wants me to be purrfect and best student. I just also can't tell to my dad since he lived with his new wife right now.
Only Mary who really understands me very well. She always can be reliable even i know she kinda have dementia's disease. She told me and chris about her young experience, how about she lived with my mom, how she have dad and older sisters, pat. I wanna know her very well since why my mom looks like really hates her to live with us? I am shocked when i know the truth that my mom grow up with Pat not my grandma. What the hell is that? I know there is something hidden with my mom and mary's past. Why she lies to me and chris about the truth one :(
I am very sad yeah since my mom forbid me to go to the school's party. I'm still asking myself why i always dreaming girls in my night? I try to having date with one of cute guy, Jamie but why Simona's face always hanging in my mind in these days? I can't talk to everyone. i'm really afraid that everyone will not accept me as the way i am. Iam not a perfect katie :')
If you love family conflict such as [b:The Husband's Secret|17802724|The Husband's Secret|Liane Moriarty|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375762213s/17802724.jpg|23986788] by The Liane Moriarty, [b:We Were Liars|16143347|We Were Liars|E. Lockhart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402749479s/16143347.jpg|21975829] by E. Lockhart this books will be perfect for you. I simply love the conflict and how the family solving the problem is. it is really touching my heart :)
malak_7's review against another edition
3.0
The book starts slow but then Mary's story will get you hooked and wanting to know more. The book could've ended few chapters before it really did but overall a nice story!
heather01602to60660's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realize until just now logging in here to add the review that this was classified as YA, I guess in that case I'd probably bump it to 3.5. My biggest issue had been a frustration with so much of the story being told from Katie's somewhat immature perspective, but if marketed as YA, that makes more sense.
Anyhow - it took me a while to get into this while listening to the audiobook and I almost gave up, but once well into the story, I became more invested. I think it could have been firmed up significantly to pack more punch, but did find myself feeling for all of the characters, even when their actions were infuriating. An interesting story of family dynamics and secrets.
Anyhow - it took me a while to get into this while listening to the audiobook and I almost gave up, but once well into the story, I became more invested. I think it could have been firmed up significantly to pack more punch, but did find myself feeling for all of the characters, even when their actions were infuriating. An interesting story of family dynamics and secrets.