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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I honestly don’t even know where to begin to explain how horrible I thought this book was. Look, I get this was written in 2008 but COME ON. I have never read a more cringe protagonist. Sutter Keely is like the person who tries so hard to be cool and funny when in reality people would just think this guy is a total loser. I found myself rolling my eyes at the many stupid things he says/does in the book.
The ending.... I mean.... it was bad... like really bad.... When I finished the book. All I could think was... what was the point? What was even the point of this whole story? It just felt so unfinished and cringey and rushed.
How this book even got picked up into a movie, is beyond me.
The ending.... I mean.... it was bad... like really bad.... When I finished the book. All I could think was... what was the point? What was even the point of this whole story? It just felt so unfinished and cringey and rushed.
How this book even got picked up into a movie, is beyond me.
I loved the movie, but I can't get into the book. Hopefully I'll come back to it later!
Flawed but endearing characters take center stage in this incredible novel by Tim Tharp. Sutter’s voice will live in your head and heart, infiltrating your life with his unforgettableness.
Sutter, of course, is the shining star of this novel, the sole reason why this book succeeds so well for me. He is probably a parent’s worst nightmare, the kind of kid you wouldn’t want as your own…and yet Tharp creates Sutter in such a way that you can’t help but feel for him, even when he’s off doing stupid, immature things. I am in awe of how we readers are able to understand Sutter more than he seems to understand himself, a schism between character and reader’s knowledge that’s difficult to achieve. Sutter doesn’t think much of himself, but his actions and implied thoughts speak for him otherwise, and we readers can see what he doesn’t about him.
If you’re looking for a marvelous, memorable voice in YA fiction and are not too easily disturbed by liberal mentions of drinking, cursing, and sex, pick up THE SPECTACULAR NOW and prepare to be amazed.
Sutter, of course, is the shining star of this novel, the sole reason why this book succeeds so well for me. He is probably a parent’s worst nightmare, the kind of kid you wouldn’t want as your own…and yet Tharp creates Sutter in such a way that you can’t help but feel for him, even when he’s off doing stupid, immature things. I am in awe of how we readers are able to understand Sutter more than he seems to understand himself, a schism between character and reader’s knowledge that’s difficult to achieve. Sutter doesn’t think much of himself, but his actions and implied thoughts speak for him otherwise, and we readers can see what he doesn’t about him.
If you’re looking for a marvelous, memorable voice in YA fiction and are not too easily disturbed by liberal mentions of drinking, cursing, and sex, pick up THE SPECTACULAR NOW and prepare to be amazed.
Wow, I just read this book in 4 hours. It was not what I was expecting, and I'm going to be mulling over that ending for a while. Would definitely recommend for a quick and easy read with surprising depth.
I love Sutter's voice, and I love the book's resolution at the bitter end. The girl characters were less persuasive, as were a few plot points.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was okay. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary... The ending was very disappointing. The movie I would say was better. I wouldn't really recommend reading it, it wasn't anything special in my opinion.
I really wish they hadn’t changed to ending in the film, it was such an effective book ending
WOW really. altough sometimes aimee ( the main female character) annoyed me with her " am i you girlfriend?" and " you should move with me". The story was just a life of a alcoholic teenager who thinks he's got it all. At one point he realises that he is pathetic and that after all he only has a few people in his life who really care about him. A book that leaves a mark and made me realise that after all, my life isn't that bad and that at least i do have parents that take care of me. This is the only negative point, all of the parents seem to not care about there children in this book.
Never read a book where I could feel the characters in this kind of depth! I can’t emphasize how real Sutter is. Going through the book in his point of view is so raw and real, this is definitely a book that makes you feel something.