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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
This book was sort of sad and tragic and it felt a bit like the ending left you hanging
2.5 stars
Man, am I in the minority here. After reading raving reviews, watching the movie trailer and receiving recommendations from people I care about, I was expecting an emotional book that left me in tears. What I got was a book about drunk teens doing stupid things, partying, and drinking some more.
The Spectacular Now is about Sutter Keely, who has a drinking problem and lives in denial. Denial of his messed-up family, denial of his alcoholism, etc. Once he wakes up on a random front lawn and meets Aimee, he makes it his personal goal to take this shy, nerdy girl and give her a taste of his life of partying and "having fun," falling in love with her on the way.
I was never emotionally invested in the romance, it seemed forced and unrealistic. As Sutter only spends time with Aimee because he thinks he has to "save" her and has no interest in her, you never really are sure of the point where his love for her becomes real. I was incredibly disgusted with how he kissed her and asked her out because he thought he was doing her a favor, not because he liked her, and this and other events never made me sure of whether Sutter really loved her or not, making for a romance that doesn't work.
An issue on my side was that I expected too much out of this book. This book had potential, and I could see it, but sadly, it didn't deliver. There could very well be an emotional, sentimental message at the end of this book, something to remember from it. However, I never felt that both Sutter and Aimee got anything good out of the events in this book, even Sutter's alcoholism is not entirely addressed and/or fixed by the end of this book. There was no message, no conclusion. Although I liked the ending and don't think it could have ended any other way, it didn't feel complete, not all the story lines of all the characters were concluded, or at least in a place where we feel we can end the story. (Yes, yes, I know you all say that the message is "to live in the now," but honestly, the only times that was mentioned was when Sutter was neglecting his future and drunk, so it lost its validity)
I can see why this book is an award winner. However, The Spectacular Now is not my kind of book, as I expect more than petty romances, drinking, and partying. If you wish to read something emotional or meaningful, I would suggest that you look for reading material elsewhere.
Man, am I in the minority here. After reading raving reviews, watching the movie trailer and receiving recommendations from people I care about, I was expecting an emotional book that left me in tears. What I got was a book about drunk teens doing stupid things, partying, and drinking some more.
The Spectacular Now is about Sutter Keely, who has a drinking problem and lives in denial. Denial of his messed-up family, denial of his alcoholism, etc. Once he wakes up on a random front lawn and meets Aimee, he makes it his personal goal to take this shy, nerdy girl and give her a taste of his life of partying and "having fun," falling in love with her on the way.
I was never emotionally invested in the romance, it seemed forced and unrealistic. As Sutter only spends time with Aimee because he thinks he has to "save" her and has no interest in her, you never really are sure of the point where his love for her becomes real. I was incredibly disgusted with how he kissed her and asked her out because he thought he was doing her a favor, not because he liked her, and this and other events never made me sure of whether Sutter really loved her or not, making for a romance that doesn't work.
An issue on my side was that I expected too much out of this book. This book had potential, and I could see it, but sadly, it didn't deliver. There could very well be an emotional, sentimental message at the end of this book, something to remember from it. However, I never felt that both Sutter and Aimee got anything good out of the events in this book, even Sutter's alcoholism is not entirely addressed and/or fixed by the end of this book. There was no message, no conclusion. Although I liked the ending and don't think it could have ended any other way, it didn't feel complete, not all the story lines of all the characters were concluded, or at least in a place where we feel we can end the story. (Yes, yes, I know you all say that the message is "to live in the now," but honestly, the only times that was mentioned was when Sutter was neglecting his future and drunk, so it lost its validity)
I can see why this book is an award winner. However, The Spectacular Now is not my kind of book, as I expect more than petty romances, drinking, and partying. If you wish to read something emotional or meaningful, I would suggest that you look for reading material elsewhere.
To me this book was so boring. I didn't feel like there was a point to the book and had to put it down halfway through. I don't ever plan to pick it up again and found it to be a waste of my time.
Sutter is one of the funniest characters that I can recall. He is honest in his portrayal of those around him. I loved him, but I was unhappy with the way that the book ended, which is always a big factor in a person's overall opinion of a book. I was sad about the way things ended with Aimee. She deserved to know that he cared for her enough to do what he did. I would like to know what happened to Sutter.
Cuando empecé a leer el libro me pareció que el protagonista, Sutter Keely, era una chico peculiar. Él tiene este modo de ver la vida que te hace quererlo. Es el alma de la fiesta y siempre va de un lado a otro con su 7UP con whiskey y hace reír a todo el mundo. Pero tampoco es perfecto, no puede tener una relación estable y sus padres estan divorciados, vive con su madre y su padrasto con los cuales no se lleva muy bien que digamos. Sin embargo empieza teniendo una novia: Cassidy, y un mejor amigo que es bastante genial: Ricky.
El libro esta narrado en primera persona, por lo que todo es desde el punto de vista de nuestro divertido Sutter, quien se la vive contando anécdotas y haciendo reír a la gente. Al principio todo bien, hasta que vuelve a tener problemas con su novia y esta le corta. Sumando que arruina una cena en la casa de su hermana, lo que le grangea un intento de castigo. Pero dejando de lado esto, aparece Aimee, la chica repartidora de diarios, la pequeña alma desgraciada a la cual Sutter se emperrará por ayudar... Esta chica me parece adorable, siendo tan nerd como es, me sentí identificada con ella algunos momentos...
Hasta esta parte todo es muy bonito. Pero Sutter puede querer ayudar a esta chica y ser todo lo amable posible, y aún así no hace absolutamente nada por sus propios problemas. Me gustó el Sutter divertido y profundo, el que es adorable y se preocupa por los demás. Pero no me gustó que cuando había que enfrentar la realidad de sus problemas, no hacía nada más que beber de su 7UP con whiskey, la cual no dejaba. Y si no fuera poco también mete en la bebida a la dulce Aimee...
A medida que transcurre la historia vemos cómo los personajes cambian. Ricky se distancia de Sutter porque este le consigue una novia, Cassidy se hace su amiga y sale con otro sujeto, Aimee se enfrenta a sus problemas pero su vuelve una novia que Sutter a veces no soporta y vista desde el punto de vista del protagonista se hace densa y desagradable, para mi gusto. Pero a pesar de todo uno se preocupa por Sutter, al igual que todos los personajes del libro, y todos queremos que Sutter haga las cosas bien.
Si, todos queremos vivir así Sutter. Pero no es posible huir de los problemas, no importa cuán fácil lo ponga el alcohol...
Así que el final de este libro no me agradó, si bien es realista y era de esperarse. Uno se queda con el mas gusto de seguir deseando que Sutter haga las cosas bien...
"―Lo digo en serio ―dice Ricky―. Ya no me está funcionando, no todo
el tiempo. Antes, cuando era una novedad, era fabuloso. Todo es fabuloso
cuando es nuevo. Como cuando eres un niño. Todo es una maravilla
chispeante.
―Oh, sí. ―Tomo un largo trago de mi Martini―. La infancia es un país
fantástico para vivir."
El libro esta narrado en primera persona, por lo que todo es desde el punto de vista de nuestro divertido Sutter, quien se la vive contando anécdotas y haciendo reír a la gente. Al principio todo bien, hasta que vuelve a tener problemas con su novia y esta le corta. Sumando que arruina una cena en la casa de su hermana, lo que le grangea un intento de castigo. Pero dejando de lado esto, aparece Aimee, la chica repartidora de diarios, la pequeña alma desgraciada a la cual Sutter se emperrará por ayudar... Esta chica me parece adorable, siendo tan nerd como es, me sentí identificada con ella algunos momentos...
"―Esto parece interesante ―digo, pero lo que realmente estoy pensando
es: «Guau, Aimee, ¿ciencia ficción? En serio, ¿no podrías intentar con más empeño ponerte la marca del friki? ¿Qué viene después? ¿Anime?»"
Hasta esta parte todo es muy bonito. Pero Sutter puede querer ayudar a esta chica y ser todo lo amable posible, y aún así no hace absolutamente nada por sus propios problemas. Me gustó el Sutter divertido y profundo, el que es adorable y se preocupa por los demás. Pero no me gustó que cuando había que enfrentar la realidad de sus problemas, no hacía nada más que beber de su 7UP con whiskey, la cual no dejaba. Y si no fuera poco también mete en la bebida a la dulce Aimee...
"Además, no importa si es real. Nunca es así con los sueños. No son nada, de cualquier modo, más que salvavidas a los que aferrarse para no ahogarse. La vida es un océano y la mayoría se aferra a un sueño para mantenerse a flote. Yo, yo sólo estoy pataleando por mi cuenta, pero el salvavidas de Aimee es una belleza. Lo adoro. Cualquiera lo haría si pudieran ver cómo su cara se transforma mientras se aferra a eso con todas sus fuerzas."
"No soy un accesorio para ella. Soy una necesidad. Soy el tipo que va a abrir una grieta en su capullo. No necesita cambiarme, necesita que yo la cambie. Al menos hasta que sus alas de mariposa sean suficientemente fuertes para que vuele."
A medida que transcurre la historia vemos cómo los personajes cambian. Ricky se distancia de Sutter porque este le consigue una novia, Cassidy se hace su amiga y sale con otro sujeto, Aimee se enfrenta a sus problemas pero su vuelve una novia que Sutter a veces no soporta y vista desde el punto de vista del protagonista se hace densa y desagradable, para mi gusto. Pero a pesar de todo uno se preocupa por Sutter, al igual que todos los personajes del libro, y todos queremos que Sutter haga las cosas bien.
"Esta fase en la vida de estar volado es verdaderamente fabulosa. Ya ni siquiera es estar volado. Es un estruendo. El mundo se abre y todo es tuyo, aquí y ahora. Probablemente hayas oído la expresión "Todo tiene un final". Bueno, esta fase nunca escuchó algo como eso. Esta fase dice “Nunca voy a acabar. Soy indestructible. Voy a durar fabulosamente para siempre”, y por supuesto, tú lo crees. Al diablo con el mañana. Al diablo con los problemas y las barreras. Nada importa más que el Espectacular Ahora."
Si, todos queremos vivir así Sutter. Pero no es posible huir de los problemas, no importa cuán fácil lo ponga el alcohol...
Así que el final de este libro no me agradó, si bien es realista y era de esperarse. Uno se queda con el mas gusto de seguir deseando que Sutter haga las cosas bien...
Sometimes growing up is confusing. And sometimes you need someone to bring you out of your shell. And sometimes you just want someone to love you. And sometimes someone wants to write a book about a modern day Holden Caulfield. And sometimes that book breaks your heart.
A young adult novel where the main character is exactly like Jeff Spicolli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High except less of a stoner and more of an alcoholic, constantly drinking whiskey and 7up from a giant 7-11 cup. It's funny but not exactly humor, but not a problem novel either.
This is a great great great story, and well written. Seriously, I'm in love with this book. It's written so you can easy symphatize with Sutter, the boy who thinks no one loves him so he lets everyone go. The love in this story and the story itself is simply beautiful.
"Goodbye, I say, goodbye, as I disappear little by little into the middle of the middle of my own spectacular now"
"Goodbye, I say, goodbye, as I disappear little by little into the middle of the middle of my own spectacular now"
I love this book - couldn't put it down and felt a pull to read it during every moment of downtime today.
The last 2 pages. Are you kidding me.
I liked Sutter. I was hesitant at first that this book was going to be over the top adult author taking pains to sound like a cool kid. But Tharp pulls it off I think, for the most part. I could believe it.
The characters seemed familiar to me not in a "teens are always written this way" but more as people I actually knew in high school. I appreciated that and it kept me reading. It made me believe the book was written for adults.
SPOILER ALERT: I knew that a book about kids drinking and having sex could not end happily. But huh? I am so confused.
I liked Sutter. I was hesitant at first that this book was going to be over the top adult author taking pains to sound like a cool kid. But Tharp pulls it off I think, for the most part. I could believe it.
The characters seemed familiar to me not in a "teens are always written this way" but more as people I actually knew in high school. I appreciated that and it kept me reading. It made me believe the book was written for adults.
SPOILER ALERT: I knew that a book about kids drinking and having sex could not end happily. But huh? I am so confused.