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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Every girl at one point or another has felt they were the DUFF in their small group of friends, & for that reason, I loved this book.
I loved the hope.
I loved the possibility.
And I loved the idea that not every DUFF has settled for being one.
Inspiring.
Not always realistic.
But you can't expect all books to be realistic.
I loved the hope.
I loved the possibility.
And I loved the idea that not every DUFF has settled for being one.
Inspiring.
Not always realistic.
But you can't expect all books to be realistic.
So I have to admit I saw the trailer for the movie and thought that this looked like a cute, funny story, and of course I have to read the book before I watch the movie. That's why I picked up "The Duff" - honestly not sure I would have otherwise. Imagine my surprise to find that this was an absorbing read with really great characters, and that it dealt with some pretty serious issues! I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would!
So for a book that has some pretty annoying flaws, such as making all females and annoying characters "blond", using text speak in conversation, and being predictable as all get out, I strangely liked this book and absorbed it pretty quickly. I wasn't surprised to learn that the author wrote this in high school, because it reads as such, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as that's who the book is aimed for. The underlying message gets a little confused, but it's still a good message nonetheless. It was enjoyable in a quick - read kind of way.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
At the start of this book, I hated Bianca. She was so negative and acted like she was better than other girls because she wasn't a slutty cheerleader. She reminded me of 9th-11th grade me. It was an embarrassing reminder of how awful I acted in high school. Fortunately, Bianca and I both realized that this is a shitty attitude to have. I loved Bianca's character development and I would've loved if it had come earlier, but it happened and thats what's important. I also liked that the book brought up the sexist double standard of Wesley's sex life versus the sex life of Bianca's female friends, for example, Vikki. Wesley was seen as such a cool guy because girls were falling all over him and he had tons of sex. But poor Vikki was called a slut by Bianca and most of the school for having tons of sex, just like Wesley. Funny how that happens isn't it?
Despite the overall message that labels are shit, there were a few things I really didn't like. Bianca got character development and Wesley got some, but what about Casey and Jessica? They were Bianca's best friends but they fell pretty flat. So did Bianca's parents. Her home life was a driving force behind her initial interest in Wesley, so it would've been nice if her parents were fleshed out a bit more.
The thing that really bothered me about this book (aside from the internalized misogyny Bianca had, because she grew as a person and dealt with that) was the fact that Wesley kept calling Bianca the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) even. It bothered me because he seemed to have no idea that it would hurt her feelings. I just wasn't very fond of Wesley. I understand why he acted the way her did, but that doesn't excuse his attitude.
Overall, The DUFF was a very quick, enjoyable read that helped pull me out of my latest reading slump.
Despite the overall message that labels are shit, there were a few things I really didn't like. Bianca got character development and Wesley got some, but what about Casey and Jessica? They were Bianca's best friends but they fell pretty flat. So did Bianca's parents. Her home life was a driving force behind her initial interest in Wesley, so it would've been nice if her parents were fleshed out a bit more.
The thing that really bothered me about this book (aside from the internalized misogyny Bianca had, because she grew as a person and dealt with that) was the fact that Wesley kept calling Bianca the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) even
Spoiler
after they started sleeping togetherOverall, The DUFF was a very quick, enjoyable read that helped pull me out of my latest reading slump.
I found this book really easy to read. Interesting concept with a compelling plot.
So... This was cute. XD I really liked Bianca as a character and the humor in this story! I can't wait for this movie! Love! 4.5/5 I highly recommend this.
I have a love/hate view of this book. I saw the movie before I read the book, so I was expecting something similar to the movie. The guy is her next door neighbor, he calls her the duff, she becomes fixated over the term, she wants him to give her a makeover so she can be more confidant, a guy she has a crush on breaks her heart, there is a mean girl, and they fall in love. This was not the case.
There was very little in common with the movie and the book. For example, her dad is in the picture, and the mom is the absentee one. Her dad is a former alcoholic and falls of the wagon when they inevitably get a divorce. Unable to handle the stress of her dad drinking (and eventually becoming violent), her anger with her mother, and the reappearance of her first love who cheated on her (and happens to be the brother of one of her best friends) she looks for a "distraction" to get her mind off of things. The distraction is sex with Wesley. I have very mixed feelings about this. Instead of telling her friends for fear they would judge her dad, she alienates them, and sleeps with a "womanizing playboy who will sleep with anything that moves", who happens to be the one person she truly hates. This is very unhealthy, even though he seems to be the only one ( besides her BEST FRIEND who won't give her any STD's) who actually cares enough to ask about her problems. I think the knowledge that Wesley won't tell anyone about her problems, and seems to understand them because his family is dysfunctional, is the only reason she opens up to him. And without him, she may have done something terrible because of all of the stress.
And yet for some reason I love this story. It may be because of the characters themselves, or the love story, or just the message that running from your fears won't make them go away. I loved the spunky attitude of Bianca, or how she tries to keep it together (emotionally) after she keeps taking one hit after another from the crappy situation of high school, and her parents getting divorced. I loved Wesley for caring about Bianca and never judging her for her problems.
The biggest reason I loved the book was because of the feels. No matter what situation she was in, I felt for Bianca. I felt her fear when she found the beer bottles after she saw the divorce papers. I felt every emotion when Wesley told her she was running away from him. And because of this I could not put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book who needs to dive into a world that will give them a momentary escape from their problems, and will five them the courage to face them head on.
There was very little in common with the movie and the book. For example, her dad is in the picture, and the mom is the absentee one. Her dad is a former alcoholic and falls of the wagon when they inevitably get a divorce. Unable to handle the stress of her dad drinking (and eventually becoming violent), her anger with her mother, and the reappearance of her first love who cheated on her (and happens to be the brother of one of her best friends) she looks for a "distraction" to get her mind off of things. The distraction is sex with Wesley. I have very mixed feelings about this. Instead of telling her friends for fear they would judge her dad, she alienates them, and sleeps with a "womanizing playboy who will sleep with anything that moves", who happens to be the one person she truly hates. This is very unhealthy, even though he seems to be the only one ( besides her BEST FRIEND who won't give her any STD's) who actually cares enough to ask about her problems. I think the knowledge that Wesley won't tell anyone about her problems, and seems to understand them because his family is dysfunctional, is the only reason she opens up to him. And without him, she may have done something terrible because of all of the stress.
And yet for some reason I love this story. It may be because of the characters themselves, or the love story, or just the message that running from your fears won't make them go away. I loved the spunky attitude of Bianca, or how she tries to keep it together (emotionally) after she keeps taking one hit after another from the crappy situation of high school, and her parents getting divorced. I loved Wesley for caring about Bianca and never judging her for her problems.
The biggest reason I loved the book was because of the feels. No matter what situation she was in, I felt for Bianca. I felt her fear when she found the beer bottles after she saw the divorce papers. I felt every emotion when Wesley told her she was running away from him. And because of this I could not put the book down. I would definitely recommend this book who needs to dive into a world that will give them a momentary escape from their problems, and will five them the courage to face them head on.