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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is a gorgeous book that was an absolute pleasure to read. The story opens with 17 year old Ingrid onboard a plane making a rough landing in the wilds of Canada. The reader doesn't quite know why she has been included in this group of troubled teens and delinquents, but as chapters alternate between the past and the present we slowly begin to draw some conclusions. Often I have a definite preference when a novel is split between two time frames but in this book I was equally engrossed in both. Ingrid's life as an "opera orphan" as she traveled Europe with her talented mother was incredible and so relevant to our students' third culture kid experiences. Likewise her adventures on her wilderness experience were by turns hilarious and terrifying. This is a terrific addition to young adult lit; don't miss it!
I loved the writing style of this and thoroughly enjoyed Ingrid + the rest of her camping squad. However, I didn’t like the ending or Isaac’s character in general. I thought that her love for him after he did her dirty was very undeserved.
Sometimes, a book blurb doesn’t do it’s book justice. I read the blurb for Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined several times, yet it didn’t speak to me. Therefore, I didn’t pick it up. Blurbs have the power, dear publishers. It souned to me like this book was about a camping trip and about a mother who is/was an opera singer. One: I hate camping. Two: I dislike opera. So this didn’t seem like the book for me. Boy, was I wrong…
Read my full review on The Sassologist!
Read my full review on The Sassologist!
A heartfelt story of survival and strength in its many forms.
TW: homophobia, depression, sexual assault, suicide
TW: homophobia, depression, sexual assault, suicide
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Sometimes I feel too much,”
“Other times I can’t feel anything.”
INGRID I LOVE YOU
“Other times I can’t feel anything.”
INGRID I LOVE YOU
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
reflective
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
I don’t understand how more people haven’t talked about this book. It’s enchanting, heart wrenching.... beautiful.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My demon is you. My best and worst is about you: how I need you and fear for you, how I fear for myself if I lose you, how I have let myself be defined by you.
This book was a lot and that ending made me feel like I've been tricked? Also, I just want to say that Andreas deserves the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide, Religious bigotry
I adored EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IS NOT RUINED by Danielle Younge-Ullman. I'm not surprised it's garnered so many rave reviews as well as being a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award. I've always been a fan of survival-type stories, and Danielle's YA novel combines this with beautiful writing as well as a complex and entirely believable main character. I loved that Ingrid had a musical background, her complicated relationship with her mother, how her character gradually develops throughout the book. HIGHLY recommended.