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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies / by Sonya Sones (2004)
A cute, funny, quick read. Definitely not something there's any sense in ever reading again, but it was entertaining enough. The plot was pretty predictable, but the book was funny and short enough to avoid being horrible.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was written around the same time as Crank by Ellen Hopkins and while the subject matter may be different, it was hard not to compare the two as they are both written in free-verse. I believe that Hopkins masters the visual placement of free-verse every time as her placement is intentional and artful. I found Sones' use of free-verse to be a little more haphazard in placement, but equally as purposeful. (I don't care if anyone thinks I'm being nitpicky, poetry has a visual quality just as much as an aural one.) I think Sones does a nice job in her development of the protagonist, who is pretty vapid and oh, I don't know, "teenagery." Sones has some effective plot twists that I suspect would mislead teenage readers to the point where they were awed by the plot events. Personally, I found the book to be a little dry and the ending to be a little too quickly thrown together, but overall, this is a good classroom book for sure. :)
Usually when a book receives reviews like “destined to captivate” and “fast, funny, touching” from well-known reviewers and magazines, I expect to read an intriguing book that holds my attention until the very end, maybe even makes me cry. But the only reason I cried over this book was because of the terrible writing and horrible storyline.
In her book, Sonya Sones wrote about a girl named Ruby. When Ruby’s mother passes away, she must move to California - away from her “gorgeous boyfriend” - in order to live with her father, who she holds a burning grudge against because he divorced her mom before she gave birth to Ruby.
The first thing out of many I can pick on about the book begins with the lack of effort Sones seemed to put into her novel. She had a predictable, all-too-perfect ending and it seemed like she did not plan the story out at all. Along with that, Sones’ attempts to mimic the teenage mindset resulted in complete failure. Her tacky friend nicknames and cliche teen drama proved she had an out-of-date idea of teenage behavior.
From the very start of the book I could tell I would get annoyed with Ruby. She became another stuck-up girl who encountered some tragedy in her life, and began to exaggerate the smallest little mishaps from there on out to make it seem like her whole life has begun collapsing around her. Not a very original take on a teenager’s life, and not even an entertaining one.
As for trying to create a realistic situation for Ruby to experience, Sones failed, yet again. Everything about the book just seemed too ideal that I could not even allow myself to become absorbed in the story. For Ruby, things just worked out. She did not have to struggle through any challenges, did not have to fight some sort of antagonist, there barely even arose any internal conflict, making for a dull story and dull protagonist.
I usually am a sucker for happy endings, but a character usually must earn the happiness they receive at the end. The protagonist goes through struggles in their story or comes to some realization that finally gives them peace. They do not get a happy ending by complaining the entire time and whining until they get what they want. That kind of story just makes me so angry that I throw the book across the room and leave a dent in my wall.
In the end, at least Sones had the ability to do something right in her novel. The title did a good job of capturing the essence of the book. It was a hideous book; the mother dying is just a side note.
In her book, Sonya Sones wrote about a girl named Ruby. When Ruby’s mother passes away, she must move to California - away from her “gorgeous boyfriend” - in order to live with her father, who she holds a burning grudge against because he divorced her mom before she gave birth to Ruby.
The first thing out of many I can pick on about the book begins with the lack of effort Sones seemed to put into her novel. She had a predictable, all-too-perfect ending and it seemed like she did not plan the story out at all. Along with that, Sones’ attempts to mimic the teenage mindset resulted in complete failure. Her tacky friend nicknames and cliche teen drama proved she had an out-of-date idea of teenage behavior.
From the very start of the book I could tell I would get annoyed with Ruby. She became another stuck-up girl who encountered some tragedy in her life, and began to exaggerate the smallest little mishaps from there on out to make it seem like her whole life has begun collapsing around her. Not a very original take on a teenager’s life, and not even an entertaining one.
As for trying to create a realistic situation for Ruby to experience, Sones failed, yet again. Everything about the book just seemed too ideal that I could not even allow myself to become absorbed in the story. For Ruby, things just worked out. She did not have to struggle through any challenges, did not have to fight some sort of antagonist, there barely even arose any internal conflict, making for a dull story and dull protagonist.
I usually am a sucker for happy endings, but a character usually must earn the happiness they receive at the end. The protagonist goes through struggles in their story or comes to some realization that finally gives them peace. They do not get a happy ending by complaining the entire time and whining until they get what they want. That kind of story just makes me so angry that I throw the book across the room and leave a dent in my wall.
In the end, at least Sones had the ability to do something right in her novel. The title did a good job of capturing the essence of the book. It was a hideous book; the mother dying is just a side note.
I just finished One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones and I really enjoyed it. It is about Ruby, 15, whose mother has passed away and she is being forced to fly across the country to live with her father who she has never met. She is leaving her best friend and first real boyfriend behind. On top of it all, this father she has never met is a very famous movie star. The book follows Ruby's transition from living in Boston to living in LA and learning to adjust to her new life.
I gave this book 4 stars.
I gave this book 4 stars.
Sonya Sones writes One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies in free verse and emails from the main character's point of view. Ruby's mother recently died of cancer and her aunt isn't in a position to properly care for her, so she must go live with the father she's never known. Her perents divorced while her mom was pregnant, and it was something her mom never wanted to discuss with her. Her father is a famous actor by the name of Whip Logan and Ruby must get used to life in LA, attending school with other kids of famous actors, living next door to Cameron Diaz, leaving her best friend and boy friend behind, all while still mourning the loss of her mother and trying to live with a new father when she doesn't understand why he never cared to be involved before now.
It's a cute book, a fast read, especially good for reluctant teen readers. The element of fantasy in dealing with the famous friends of her father adds some fun to an emotional story.
It's a cute book, a fast read, especially good for reluctant teen readers. The element of fantasy in dealing with the famous friends of her father adds some fun to an emotional story.
To be quite honest, I did not like this book as I was reading it. I liked it after the fact when I would think back on bits and pieces and certain quirks the characters had. I was able to relate to certain thoughts or habits the main character had. It's short so I do recommend reading it, but if it had been longer I would have to say pass it by. It's not as good as What My Mother Doesn't Know, but it's more out there.
good! i love books in verse so this was outimaticly a good book. ;D
Jo så, det var en liten rolig sorgsam bok. http://frokenchristina.blogspot.se/2017/04/one-of-those-hideous-books-where-mother.html