Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A solid coming of age story.
I enjoyed the characters and the peek into life at boarding school. There were some memorable, emotional moments that took me back to high school and being a teenager. Several sections dragged on though, keeping us in the head of the main character a little too long, and repeating the same thoughts/emotions regarding her lack of confidence and unhappiness, over and over again. I also really did not like the ending.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was an interesting story about a middle class girl who goes off to boarding school. The story captures much of the drama and situations that make adolescence so difficult. Little things that seem unimportant to adults make all the difference when you're a teenager.
What I didn't like about the book was some of the main character's traits. Lee is obsessive, neurotic, and selfish. But then again, weren't most of us that way when we were teens?
I think some of Lee's obsessiveness goes way beyond what I recall from my teenage years.
What I didn't like about the book was some of the main character's traits. Lee is obsessive, neurotic, and selfish. But then again, weren't most of us that way when we were teens?
I think some of Lee's obsessiveness goes way beyond what I recall from my teenage years.
reflective
medium-paced
A girl's experiences of the fancy prep school she begs to go to, from her outsiders point of view. I really like the tone of this, the detachment that's woven into all her observations but also her odd crush on the very people she can't fit in with.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like Lee, I too go to a boarding school and am the only student from the Midwest. Coming from where Lee is coming from, there was so much in this book that I could relate too. I felt like this book was right on target about the cultures of Prep schools, the way that wealth has made many (not all) shallow and narrow-minded. I thought that Curtis Sittenfeld did a spectacular job at capturing the culture of Prep schools in her book. The writing was absolutely phenomenal.
Although I don't particularly like Lee as a protagonist (I think she too is a bit shallow), I do think that the book is so well-written that it deserves better reviews. I think that there is a lot of truth in Lee's words, and even if she might not be the most likable character, she is at least honest and raw.
Although I don't particularly like Lee as a protagonist (I think she too is a bit shallow), I do think that the book is so well-written that it deserves better reviews. I think that there is a lot of truth in Lee's words, and even if she might not be the most likable character, she is at least honest and raw.