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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
3 1/2 stars, I liked it, but thought the pacing dragged quite a bit.
I liked Ramona. I liked Freddie and Hattie (or was it Maddie - I listened to the audiobook, so I never saw the names written) and, like Dumplin' the town of Eulogy, Mississippi was a very prominent character in the book. That was all well done and compelling.
But not enough happened. It seemed like 90% of the words were just stuck in Ramona's head. Her thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, and then some talking. There was very little doing in this book.
Ramona's internal character arc was interesting and I liked it. I think the whole book could have benefited from an external subplot. Dumplin' had the beauty contest. This had Ramona learning to swim, but not enough people were involved in that to be a compelling side plot. It seemed slapped on, rather than integral to the plot of the book as a whole. It came off more as a teen girl's diary than a novel. Interesting voice, but not that interesting of a story.
I liked Ramona. I liked Freddie and Hattie (or was it Maddie - I listened to the audiobook, so I never saw the names written) and, like Dumplin' the town of Eulogy, Mississippi was a very prominent character in the book. That was all well done and compelling.
But not enough happened. It seemed like 90% of the words were just stuck in Ramona's head. Her thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, and then some talking. There was very little doing in this book.
Ramona's internal character arc was interesting and I liked it. I think the whole book could have benefited from an external subplot. Dumplin' had the beauty contest. This had Ramona learning to swim, but not enough people were involved in that to be a compelling side plot. It seemed slapped on, rather than integral to the plot of the book as a whole. It came off more as a teen girl's diary than a novel. Interesting voice, but not that interesting of a story.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
I could not put this book down. I adored it. What a beautiful coming of age novel full of nuance and lovable characters. Best book I’ve read in a while.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Gotta give it 5 stars. It was smart and funny, I wished there was more of it.
I LOVED this novel, and I loved Ramona! Explores a number of issues, like sexuality, racism, family, and poverty, but most of all, it is a compelling and engrossing story of an extraordinary young woman. One of my favorite YA novels read in a long time.
Read my full review at:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2018/04/teenya-review-ramona-blue.html
Read my full review at:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2018/04/teenya-review-ramona-blue.html
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this book without realizing it's the same author who wrote Dumplin, which is my most hated book this year (so far). I didn't realize it either because Murphy's writing has improved, the sentences are more complete, and the characters are more realistic. However, I didn't like this book for many reasons. Similar to Dumplin, it sets up a character who has such a sad life, you should immediately feel sorry for and always feel sorry for. You feel so sorry for this character that you root for them no matter what. Not only should you feel sorry for this character, but you should also be in awe, because this character is so different than every other character in this story and in every other book. Really guys! I couldn't believe it either, so she reminded us every few pages!! Anyways, for these reasons and more I DNF at 100 pages.
The very best kind of YA✨
I bought a copy of RAMONA BLUE during my honeymoon last year and finally got around to it. I loved DUMPLIN’, and even though this premise is completely different, I had high hopes.
The novel opens just before Ramona Leroux begins her senior year of high school. She’s known for a while she’s gay, and while she had a fun affair with a tourist in her town over the the summer, she’s ready to not have her love life be a secret. But Ramona barely has time for love; living alongside her father and pregnant sister in a trailer, Ramona has to work two jobs to keep her family afloat. When Freddie, a childhood friend, returns to town, suddenly Ramona is wondering if gay is the right label for her after all.
There is so much to love in RAMONA BLUE. First and foremost are the characters; Julie Murphy has built such a strong cast, all with their own lives and distinct personalities. Yes, this is a queer book, but it isn’t pedantic or pandering; it allows Ramona to be a fully dynamic character. Ramona and Freddie’s relationship feels so real, and the way Ramona can’t decide what to do after high school is given just as much weight as when she questions her sexuality. I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students who are questioning any aspect of their identity.
Complete and total recommendation and of course five stars for RAMONA BLUE.
I bought a copy of RAMONA BLUE during my honeymoon last year and finally got around to it. I loved DUMPLIN’, and even though this premise is completely different, I had high hopes.
The novel opens just before Ramona Leroux begins her senior year of high school. She’s known for a while she’s gay, and while she had a fun affair with a tourist in her town over the the summer, she’s ready to not have her love life be a secret. But Ramona barely has time for love; living alongside her father and pregnant sister in a trailer, Ramona has to work two jobs to keep her family afloat. When Freddie, a childhood friend, returns to town, suddenly Ramona is wondering if gay is the right label for her after all.
There is so much to love in RAMONA BLUE. First and foremost are the characters; Julie Murphy has built such a strong cast, all with their own lives and distinct personalities. Yes, this is a queer book, but it isn’t pedantic or pandering; it allows Ramona to be a fully dynamic character. Ramona and Freddie’s relationship feels so real, and the way Ramona can’t decide what to do after high school is given just as much weight as when she questions her sexuality. I can’t wait to recommend this book to my students who are questioning any aspect of their identity.
Complete and total recommendation and of course five stars for RAMONA BLUE.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes