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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Prep came out in 2005, and I cannot recall when I first noticed the book, but the cover of the pink/green belt always stayed etched in my mind. I just never got a copy.
In my recent years, I've developed a better reading habit (a bit concerning to some, but for me - it's my happy place, lol). I bought my own copy at the Half Price Books for around $7, and finally read it. It IS a dense book, but oh so good. The nuances of the South Bend, Indiana teen, Lee, who applies herself at the age of 13 out of the blue to Ault in Massachusetts - are just a joy. I read this in maybe 5 long sitting sessions - but had to take a breather from time to time. It reminded me of my "A Little Life" - so many characters, and so many thoughts VS actual quotes.
Prep explores class, identity, and adolescence at an elite boarding school.
This was Curtis Sittenfeld's debut novel, and what a great read!
I didn't really enjoy this book, as it is all told from the point of view of the main character who is so stressed and anxious all the time. I admire Sittenfeld's ability to make me feel that way, though.
Prep is one of the most realistic depictions of being a teen that I've ever read. Characters are introduced that seem central to the plot for 50 pages and then just fade away. Our narrator spends more time obsessing over how she's perceived by others than anything else. It's awkward, feels sometimes directionless, and spends pages and pages describing insignificant events in excruciating detail. It's absolutely accurate and emotionally resonant, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant to read. The biggest issue is that it is too damn long. Since it's so focused on vividly painting a place and time, there's really no driving plot - seriously, the most significant action is a high school game of "Assassin". I totally get the intention here, and felt it was true to what a lot of high school felt like. There's not really a beginning, middle and end to growing up - time just passes and you float in and out of different relationships, friendships and identities - but I got the point after 200 pages, and still had 200 left to go. The grating feeling of the book having over-stayed its welcome was only intensified by the fact that our narrator Lee is kind of a little shit. Again, accurate, I get it, we all suck when we're 16 and getting a boy's attention feels like life or death, but I tired of her treating everyone around her horribly, and not really showing passion or ambition for anything besides losing her virginity.
Giving 3 stars for a few bright moments throughout. Lee starts cutting her classmates' hair as a way to break into social groups, and the way she articulates feeling like doing them a favor gave her enough purpose and worth to be in the presence of her peers felt really accurate to being 15.
Giving 3 stars for a few bright moments throughout. Lee starts cutting her classmates' hair as a way to break into social groups, and the way she articulates feeling like doing them a favor gave her enough purpose and worth to be in the presence of her peers felt really accurate to being 15.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The way this book has lined up with my life at the time of reading has been truly emotionally devastating.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read other books by Curtis Sittenfeld and have enjoyed them. Both my husband and our daughter read Prep and liked it, so I expected to as well. It was engaging enough to make me want to read to the end, but I was annoyed with the main character through most of the book. I realize that's narrow-minded of me; I did make a conscious effort to understand and sympathize with her perspective, but I just couldn't get past mentally labeling her as needlessly difficult.
captures all of the insecurity and misery of high school - even if you didn't go to a boarding school. if you weren't insecure and miserable through your adolescence, then this isn't a book for you.
There are parts where the profound insight of this girl surprises me. The description of awkward high school years is right on and made me cringe.
I finished it. Probably because I had nothing else to read. But I didn't hate it, so that's something.