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thepetitepunk's review
2.0
Thank you Libro.fm for the ALC!
I thought I was going to love this one; coming-of-age is always a favorite genre of mine, even when the characters are messy and at times unlikable. Unfortunately, there was barely any plot, which doesn't usually bother me since I prefer character-driven stories...but the characters were quite awful. And usually awful characters don't bother me if there is some kind of development, but it didn't feel like the characters grew at all. Just a boring circle of mean girls thinking their grown. (Or in the narrator's case, a Not Very Mean girl, but rather a girl who seriously lacks self-awareness. Or even just general awareness. Girlie you live in New York, look alive!!!)
I thought I was going to love this one; coming-of-age is always a favorite genre of mine, even when the characters are messy and at times unlikable. Unfortunately, there was barely any plot, which doesn't usually bother me since I prefer character-driven stories...but the characters were quite awful. And usually awful characters don't bother me if there is some kind of development, but it didn't feel like the characters grew at all. Just a boring circle of mean girls thinking their grown. (Or in the narrator's case, a Not Very Mean girl, but rather a girl who seriously lacks self-awareness. Or even just general awareness. Girlie you live in New York, look alive!!!)
annathebanana's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katykelly's review
4.0
Adult/young adult novel about first experiences in a grown-up world.
I've never lived/visited America. The eighties were a blur to me, as a small child. But so much still feels relevant about Beth's summer before college, as she rents a room, works as an intern, tries to find her way with both men and friends, and basically has that 'growing up' period we all have, at whatever time it hits us.
I really liked this. The setting of a sweltering hot 80s New York gave it a period feel, though actually not long ago. Beth is almost naive but not quite (too trusting), she's aware of her shortcomings and imperfections, desperate to find her way and fit in, and a little awkward. She could be most of us at that age.
Watching her navigate her journalistic role as intern, cope with a box room full of roaches, then fall on her feet with a wealthy new friend willing to take her under a privileged wing, this is our journey with Beth over the sweaty summer months.
I felt that 15 year olds might be too young for this, it will be outside the realms of their lived experiences so far, but does also show teenagers that glimpse of what first adult steps they will be taking in a few short years.
Edie, as new best friend and mentor, is pretty unlikeable, in my eyes. The men in their lives are not strongly enough portrayed to be a match or sparring partner.
It did remind me of the constant confusion and learning moments there are as a young adult, out in the world alone for the first time. There's possibility, but there's also a scary side to freedom and independence. Beth's experiences are time-limited as college calls at the end of her summer, so we know she will go off soon and be 'safe' in the world of a campus and traditionally structured years, but for these few weeks, we get to follow a young woman seeing the world on her own for the first time.
It was a great rite of passage to experience with her. Beth grew from her summer, you can see the adult she will be, more savvy and alert, more prepared for what adult life is going to be.
Rosoff writes such a range of characters and stories, always good to check in with her.
I've never lived/visited America. The eighties were a blur to me, as a small child. But so much still feels relevant about Beth's summer before college, as she rents a room, works as an intern, tries to find her way with both men and friends, and basically has that 'growing up' period we all have, at whatever time it hits us.
I really liked this. The setting of a sweltering hot 80s New York gave it a period feel, though actually not long ago. Beth is almost naive but not quite (too trusting), she's aware of her shortcomings and imperfections, desperate to find her way and fit in, and a little awkward. She could be most of us at that age.
Watching her navigate her journalistic role as intern, cope with a box room full of roaches, then fall on her feet with a wealthy new friend willing to take her under a privileged wing, this is our journey with Beth over the sweaty summer months.
I felt that 15 year olds might be too young for this, it will be outside the realms of their lived experiences so far, but does also show teenagers that glimpse of what first adult steps they will be taking in a few short years.
Edie, as new best friend and mentor, is pretty unlikeable, in my eyes. The men in their lives are not strongly enough portrayed to be a match or sparring partner.
It did remind me of the constant confusion and learning moments there are as a young adult, out in the world alone for the first time. There's possibility, but there's also a scary side to freedom and independence. Beth's experiences are time-limited as college calls at the end of her summer, so we know she will go off soon and be 'safe' in the world of a campus and traditionally structured years, but for these few weeks, we get to follow a young woman seeing the world on her own for the first time.
It was a great rite of passage to experience with her. Beth grew from her summer, you can see the adult she will be, more savvy and alert, more prepared for what adult life is going to be.
Rosoff writes such a range of characters and stories, always good to check in with her.
abbiewhite's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Slow paced, medium pace when there was plot.
All about Edie and Beth’s friendship and them on an internship in New York, but found both characters under developed and not loveable, extremely flawed which I found hard to read.
Every character is flawed and real.
I did like the flawed romance between Beth and Tom.
The blunt and witty style of writing is like nothing i’ve read before.
Thought there’d be an even split of Edie Dan and Oliver but no.
Feel like there was an underlying meaning and i missed it completely. Maybe that no one is perfect and everything is flawed.
All about Edie and Beth’s friendship and them on an internship in New York, but found both characters under developed and not loveable, extremely flawed which I found hard to read.
Every character is flawed and real.
I did like the flawed romance between Beth and Tom.
The blunt and witty style of writing is like nothing i’ve read before.
Thought there’d be an even split of Edie Dan and Oliver but no.
Feel like there was an underlying meaning and i missed it completely. Maybe that no one is perfect and everything is flawed.
luanaxmp3's review against another edition
fast-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
4.5
meikjeee's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
meg0207's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0