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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
The DUFF is far from a perfect novel but despite its issues - like its misunderstanding of feminism - it does have a positive message, and my god is it entertaining. So entertaining, in fact, that I read it in a matter of hours. This is a case of recognizing the numerous issues, and liking the book despite them.
But no... I wanted to like it, but it was just not very well written. However, for the author to be only 19 when she got it published? Way to go! It was decent and I like the underlying message, but it was pretty messed up and the ending just too cookie cutter perfect and rushed.
Don't get me wrong, but I think Kody Keplinger is a fantastic writer! Each character had their own personality and I love how pronounced the character Bianca is. I really like how Kody Keplinger expressed Bianca's thoughts through out the book. What bothered me was that it is a cliché high school book and what some of the characters say and do kind of annoyed me. Other than that, I thought the book was great!
P.S. Certainly we are each others DUFF. Fuss less, they're just labels. It's your choice if you let them hurt you.
Honestly, I'm quite glad that I did. There were many things that I didn't like about the book, such as the stereotypical characterisation of Harrison, the book's only gay character. I'm also not entirely sure whether Bianca's unwillingness to admit that she loves her female friends is a serious case of 'NO HOMO!!!' or whether it's just her, bottling things up.
These things aside, the book is so refreshing. There is real chemistry between Bianca and Wesley, and the brief love triangle was resolved in such a lovely way. The approach to sex was also great. Rather than Bianca being a blushing virgin and Wesley being your typical, undeveloped player they both approached sex realistically. Wesley, in my opinion, was a great feminist character. He acknowledged that girls want sex just as much as boys and didn't shame them for that. Plus he never made Bianca feel that she needed to dress in any particular way like Toby did. Granted, Wesley had his flaws but I thought he was brilliantly developed.
Bianca, on the other hand, didn't strike me in the same way. Yes, she had feminist ideals but they seemed a little outdated (for example, the constant shaming of her friends' wardrobes). I know these issues were resolved in the end, mostly, but it seemed sort of forced. I loved how she developed though, and how her friends did the same. Plus, Casey's focus on their friendship was incredibly heartwarming.
Bianca's father's drinking problem was approached so tidily and respectfully. It did get out of hand, yes, but rather than this pushing him to drink more he looked at what he was doing and got help.
Finally, I like how every character was given redeeming qualities. Bianca's mother abandoned them, but she faced up to her problems eventually. In doing so, she enabled her family to begin recovering. Jake Gaither grew up to realise how shitty he'd been to Bianca, and he apologised. The list goes on and on!
If you're looking for an easy read between books then I would definitely recommend The Duff. The plot isn't particularly riveting, but it does give you something to sink your teeth into and there are some genuinely sweet moments to squee over.
I also didn’t love how nice Toby was, which I realize sounds silly. I just liked how Toby turned out to be the bad guy in the movie.