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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Woof. Really good.
Can someone remind me to not read anything related to Romeo and Juliet when I’m already feeling sad, lol?
Can someone remind me to not read anything related to Romeo and Juliet when I’m already feeling sad, lol?
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was so underdeveloped. It lacked character development and plot development. It had potential but ended up being so disappointing because it all happened so quickly and the reader never gets a chance to really get to know the characters or feel attached to the storyline. I read it in about an hour in one sitting.
If You Come Softly is a YA contemporary romance novel published in the late 1990s and is about a white girl and black boy falling in love. This is controversial because the two of them go to a predominantly white school and live in a place where interracial couples are taboo.
This book while seeming promising, has multiple issues. The first is the romance. This book was published in 1998 and it shows. The romance is instalove, and is underdeveloped throughout the entire novel, even though the character’s are instantly convinced they are in love with each other after only dating for a few weeks. If this book was longer than maybe the romance could have been better.
The ending of this book was rushed and predictable. It seems like it’s sole purpose was to create shock value for the readers, and in my opinion it is poorly executed. There needed to be more at the end but there was no real explanation of what happened after the climax. There was a clear need for 20 extra pages.
Overall, If You Come Softly has a great message behind it, but could have been executed better.
This book while seeming promising, has multiple issues. The first is the romance. This book was published in 1998 and it shows. The romance is instalove, and is underdeveloped throughout the entire novel, even though the character’s are instantly convinced they are in love with each other after only dating for a few weeks. If this book was longer than maybe the romance could have been better.
The ending of this book was rushed and predictable. It seems like it’s sole purpose was to create shock value for the readers, and in my opinion it is poorly executed. There needed to be more at the end but there was no real explanation of what happened after the climax. There was a clear need for 20 extra pages.
Overall, If You Come Softly has a great message behind it, but could have been executed better.
You know what’s heartbreaking about this story? It’s now two decades later and we’re still talking about these same issues: racism, the criminalization of young black males, intolerance, ignorance, privilege, etc.
Why?
Why have we not evolved enough in 20 years to be better people?
Ugh.
The story itself wasn’t groundbreaking in any way.
A boy and girl meet, fall in love, and try to make their way within a world where that love is not comfortable for those around them.
Simple. And, as usual, Jacqueline Woodson has a way with words.
Each page sung. Every sentence was a caress. Every paragraph an embrace.
The writing definitely wasn’t the problem. The actual love story was my issue because ...bleh.
The love between Jeremiah and Ellie was so cheesy. So sickeningly saccharine—built on glances and smiles—and I just. Could. Not.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the “power of love”, but these two made my teeth hurt. And then to end their story, in such devastating fashion, after pouring an entire syrup bottle of longing onto the floor?
I ...I just didn’t get it. And it rubbed me the wrong way.
Was that the point? To have an effect? To illicit a strong response that perhaps makes you think more about these very real issues?
Maybe. But, it felt like a point that didn’t need to be made in the manner that was chosen.
Why?
Why have we not evolved enough in 20 years to be better people?
Ugh.
The story itself wasn’t groundbreaking in any way.
A boy and girl meet, fall in love, and try to make their way within a world where that love is not comfortable for those around them.
Simple. And, as usual, Jacqueline Woodson has a way with words.
Each page sung. Every sentence was a caress. Every paragraph an embrace.
The writing definitely wasn’t the problem. The actual love story was my issue because ...bleh.
The love between Jeremiah and Ellie was so cheesy. So sickeningly saccharine—built on glances and smiles—and I just. Could. Not.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the “power of love”, but these two made my teeth hurt. And then to end their story, in such devastating fashion, after pouring an entire syrup bottle of longing onto the floor?
I ...I just didn’t get it. And it rubbed me the wrong way.
Was that the point? To have an effect? To illicit a strong response that perhaps makes you think more about these very real issues?
Maybe. But, it felt like a point that didn’t need to be made in the manner that was chosen.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
another beautiful story by Jacqueline Woodson. If you Come Softly tackled so many important topics like racism, interracial relationships and family issues. the representations in all of the relationships was done so well and the writing as always very evoking. i really want to read the second book in the series now so let's hope my school library has it. an amazing novel and quick read with all of the elements that a story needs.
I read this when I was 12... don't read this when you 12 it destroyed me.