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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
It's true: The Spectacular Now has all the makings of a John Hughes movie. Except they always forget to mention something about that special brand of 80s cult classic; they end up being pretty boring save for the last 15 minutes. You sit there the whole time, kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the story to really get going, and then it doesn't. Eventually it just cuts off with a wistful(?) sort of lesson about life, and then BOOM the credits roll and you're stuck feeling kind of let down, but also finding that same kind of lesson or feeling in yourself.
If I had to make one big gripe, it would be that gold ole Sutter Keely is written by an adult trying just a tinge to hard to sound adolescent. It kills me when people use "like" as a filler in actual conversation, having to read it as a conversation filler is almost enough to make you put the book down. Almost.
Temper your expectations and you might end up enjoying yourself.
If I had to make one big gripe, it would be that gold ole Sutter Keely is written by an adult trying just a tinge to hard to sound adolescent. It kills me when people use "like" as a filler in actual conversation, having to read it as a conversation filler is almost enough to make you put the book down. Almost.
Temper your expectations and you might end up enjoying yourself.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. There's also a lot of underlying meaning to it that took finishing the book to really see. Aimee and Sutter are both sort of lost and dealing with their own demons. They had a connection, but were standing on a rocky foundation.
I just feel sad for Sutter, because he is both selfish and selfless at the same time in almost everything he does in this book. He's struggling with addiction and a lack of self worth, but doesn't really seem to know it or admit it. He hides behind his fun, embrace-the-weird personality. His downslide is very slow and subtle, and since he is the one narrating it was hard for me to see until the end just what he had become, and the effect he had had on the people in his life. While you're reading he gets you caught up in the fun and spontaneity, but after the fact you look back and see a boy who's out of control and drinking his feelings.
A quick, easy and enjoyable read - a coming of age story with a little more to it. I think that while reading it I would have given it a 4, but after finishing and reflecting on it, I can see even more depth and meaning to this book.
I just feel sad for Sutter, because he is both selfish and selfless at the same time in almost everything he does in this book. He's struggling with addiction and a lack of self worth, but doesn't really seem to know it or admit it. He hides behind his fun, embrace-the-weird personality. His downslide is very slow and subtle, and since he is the one narrating it was hard for me to see until the end just what he had become, and the effect he had had on the people in his life. While you're reading he gets you caught up in the fun and spontaneity, but after the fact you look back and see a boy who's out of control and drinking his feelings.
A quick, easy and enjoyable read - a coming of age story with a little more to it. I think that while reading it I would have given it a 4, but after finishing and reflecting on it, I can see even more depth and meaning to this book.
I did enjoy this book, but the further into the book I got, the sadder I was. Sutter reminded me of Ferris Bueller from the beginning, only because he seemed to have the same carefree attitude, live in the moment, lifestyle. But really it seems like he's trying to hide from his demons; which prevents him from truly experiencing other parts of life. Aimee was the complete opposite and it was fun to see them learn from each other; I am convinced Sutter learned life lessons from her, regardless of how the book ended. I'm glad the author didn't give a nice, clean conclusion though..and not that I don't love that..but it shows how life truly is. I enjoyed The Spectacular Now and the story of Aimee and Sutter; I look forward to the movie as well.
This book is a 4 for me because it's a good book in a believable voice, unlike so many books that keep my eyes perpetually rolling, but then there are some flaws so deep in our dear protagonist that made me read in fear (drunkdrivingdrunkdrivingdrunkdriving). That anxiety, waiting for it to turn into that type of novel (or end that way) was scary. It didn't, although it gave him a scare. Overall a good look inside the head of someone admittedly flawed but with a big heart, and in the end, just a boy.
i must say, I expected more. there is so much alcohol in this book and it makes Sutter a weird character. i just didn't like it as much as other books
I was really excited to read this book, but I hated the ending of it. However, I think it was really well-written and besides the ending, I loved it.
I would recommend this book to any teenage girl specifically, because it focuses a lot on love and romance.
Warnings:
Drugs: yes
Sex: yes
Rock & Roll: alcohol addictions
Violence: slight
Language: yes
I would recommend this book to any teenage girl specifically, because it focuses a lot on love and romance.
Warnings:
Drugs: yes
Sex: yes
Rock & Roll: alcohol addictions
Violence: slight
Language: yes
I hated the ending. yes, hated. it was realistic I guess, but terrible and abrupt. feels unfinished.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found the main character Sutter to be so lovable and easy to relate to. The flow of the book was magnificent and the way it was written reminded me so much of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This was just one of those coming of age books that was also completely random. About halfway through the book I found myself trying to read it slower so I wouldn't be finished with it. I definitely recommend it and I've heard they're making it into a movie, I can't wait.
My rating would probably be just 4.75 stars since goodreads don't have that. I loved the whole book but seriously the ending was just so abrupt. I got a book hangover because of this. Sutter, we can't just .. no .. This is not where Sutter is going. I don't accept that. On the other hand, I've watched the movie before reading the book and there are some scenes I wish were included in the movie. Like how Aimee goes after Cassidy. And how at the end, the college kids checked if Aimee was alright and that moment of vulnerability that Sutter had. I really wish the movie showed that part of Sutter. I have no problems with the casting. In my mind it was basically Miles Teller talking, saying all the lines.