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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
2.5 i am not at all sure why i found this so boring. all the ingredients that i love were there. if any of the other characters was the narrator, i'd maybe like it more?
I really enjoyed this. The way it handles religion and everything surrounding it was done very well. The characters make this book as good as it was. They're all different and are a great group of misfits. They're likeable and flawed which makes them so real. Definitely recommend this.
It was fun! The humor felt actually like that of people the age and there were some really good monologues and views on feelings and walks of life other than mine.
I found myself laughing quite a bit while reading this. There was tons of humor and heart throughout. This book was all about learning to honor individuality and acceptance. It's about learning to make amends after to royally screw up. It's about not accepting the status quo and finally understanding that their so much more to an individual than meets the eye.
One of many great quotes:
The Anonymous Creed
We believe in one God, and many gods, and the possibility of none,
And also that the existence of the almighty is largely irrelevant,
Because regardless of who is maker of heaven an death,
It is our duty to care for all of creation, both visible and invisible.
We believe in one fundamental truth: That all people, regardless of what they worship, who they love, and what they think
Have a right to exist, and a right to be heard.
We strive to make faith consubstantial with reason and compassion,
Through which all good things are made.
We believe in the goodness of humankind (with a few notable exceptions),
The worth of listening to our friends and understanding our enemies,
The power of a single voice in a silent room,
And the practicality of cloaks and other assorted historical outerwear.
We do not all believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church
But are nonetheless grateful that it brought us together.
We strive to remember that high school will not last forever
And look forward to graduation day
And the life of that world to come.
Amen.
One of many great quotes:
The Anonymous Creed
We believe in one God, and many gods, and the possibility of none,
And also that the existence of the almighty is largely irrelevant,
Because regardless of who is maker of heaven an death,
It is our duty to care for all of creation, both visible and invisible.
We believe in one fundamental truth: That all people, regardless of what they worship, who they love, and what they think
Have a right to exist, and a right to be heard.
We strive to make faith consubstantial with reason and compassion,
Through which all good things are made.
We believe in the goodness of humankind (with a few notable exceptions),
The worth of listening to our friends and understanding our enemies,
The power of a single voice in a silent room,
And the practicality of cloaks and other assorted historical outerwear.
We do not all believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church
But are nonetheless grateful that it brought us together.
We strive to remember that high school will not last forever
And look forward to graduation day
And the life of that world to come.
Amen.
I was mildly optimistic about an atheist YA book because I thought it was going to be a story where he is converted to religion so I was glad that it was not that type of story. I thought this was a fast and enjoyable read.
I liked the subject matter more than anything else in the book. Religion isn't something that's really touched on in YA fiction and this book does go into Catholicism. I personally don't think it's a hit job on the religion, but it does question the hypocrisy we see in the Catholic church without going with the most obvious scandal. But I am coming from it as an agnostic atheist, so maybe for people who are hardcore into the religion (or religion in general), it's different. And also there's a lot of discussion about how it's important to respect people's religious beliefs or doctrines at the expense of other people, specifically in regards to LGBTQA+ issues and abortion. While I'm all for tolerance, when people's beliefs start actively coming up against other people's rights and impacts their lives, maybe it's time to take a harder look. But this is not a book that really goes into heavy discussions about that sort of thing.
As for every other part of the book? I think my brain is cut up from how paper thin the characters are. The plot is often an excuse to go into the greater religious conversation that's already in the book.
It's a funny book, well written, and serves it's main purpose of having people think about religion. But as a story, it came up a little empty for me. 2.75/5 rounds to 3/5.
As for every other part of the book? I think my brain is cut up from how paper thin the characters are. The plot is often an excuse to go into the greater religious conversation that's already in the book.
It's a funny book, well written, and serves it's main purpose of having people think about religion. But as a story, it came up a little empty for me. 2.75/5 rounds to 3/5.
Nicely written YA by an author who clearly knows a lot about theology, with Jewish, atheist, POC, lesbian and gay representation. I took away one star because I didn't find the resolution entirely satisfactory, but I would gladly read a sequel.
“Father Peter said this was an ‘opportunity to heal,’” Max says. “Like we cut everyone open, or something.”
In some way, I think we did. What I did — what Heretics Anonymous did, ever since the video — opened people up. It wasn’t a clean cut, but we saw what was inside everyone. I get why Father Peter thinks that was bad, but there was good there, too. Just like Jenny said.”
In some way, I think we did. What I did — what Heretics Anonymous did, ever since the video — opened people up. It wasn’t a clean cut, but we saw what was inside everyone. I get why Father Peter thinks that was bad, but there was good there, too. Just like Jenny said.”
4.5*
I really enjoyed this book and the glimpse into several religions.
I really enjoyed this book and the glimpse into several religions.
I studied senior high in a private catholic school, and this book served as a time-travelling machine going back to that time.
I wrote a non-spoiler review on my blog, check it out here: https://bit.ly/2WmKGSA
This review, however, will be spoiler-filled so if you haven't read this book yet, check out my non-spoiler review instead.
Another thing, is it just me, or Michael kinda treated Lucy like an object? A sexual object to be specific. There are instances (emphasis on plural) that Michael though about Lucy in a sexual way, even in the most inappropriate times. I can't just ignore it that easily because I was bothered. Is it just because he's a teen and they get so hormonal? some quotes about this goes like this:
“Maybe I wouldn’t feel that way if she’d let me take her shirt off.”
“I know I’m pushing it here, but I can’t help it.”
“Perfume is not a gift you give your friend whose boobs you don’t sometimes stare at.”
The characters are not fleshed-out. I feel like the characters really lack in backstory and details. We didn't know what happened to Lucy's mom. We didn't see Avi's parent's obsession of him, it was just mentioned. Sophia was just there to light up the mood. I don't remember much about Max, Eden, and others who aren't mentioned. They are forgettable.
These are just some of my issues in this book. I like that most of the lines were quotable. The accuracy of how catholic schools can be repressive and hypocrites sometimes. The writing is easy to digest. The diverse characterization. And the religious elements this book has covered.
More of the things I liked about this book on my blog.
I wrote a non-spoiler review on my blog, check it out here: https://bit.ly/2WmKGSA
This review, however, will be spoiler-filled so if you haven't read this book yet, check out my non-spoiler review instead.
Spoiler
I find the protagonist, Michael, annoying sometimes. He has the humor for sure. But he can't control his emotions, especially when he is angry. He is a teenager and I understand that they can be like that most of time. The author use volcanoes as a metaphor whenever Michael is angry, in which molten magma (his feelings) is inside him wanting to burst out so bad.Another thing, is it just me, or Michael kinda treated Lucy like an object? A sexual object to be specific. There are instances (emphasis on plural) that Michael though about Lucy in a sexual way, even in the most inappropriate times. I can't just ignore it that easily because I was bothered. Is it just because he's a teen and they get so hormonal? some quotes about this goes like this:
“Maybe I wouldn’t feel that way if she’d let me take her shirt off.”
“I know I’m pushing it here, but I can’t help it.”
“Perfume is not a gift you give your friend whose boobs you don’t sometimes stare at.”
The characters are not fleshed-out. I feel like the characters really lack in backstory and details. We didn't know what happened to Lucy's mom. We didn't see Avi's parent's obsession of him, it was just mentioned. Sophia was just there to light up the mood. I don't remember much about Max, Eden, and others who aren't mentioned. They are forgettable.
These are just some of my issues in this book. I like that most of the lines were quotable. The accuracy of how catholic schools can be repressive and hypocrites sometimes. The writing is easy to digest. The diverse characterization. And the religious elements this book has covered.
More of the things I liked about this book on my blog.