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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I sat in my bed at 2:30 AM sobbing because while this book has that smart, determined and extremely damaged girl that turns up in nearly every novel discussing mother-daughter relationships and unstable childhoods, Hassman has that fiery wit that makes your belly and soul ache when she tells another joke about the bathroom stall lock or feeble-minded families with a grimace. The nonlinear narrative also helps add to the confusion and longing enmeshed in the novel. Incredibly memorable with lines that remind me why I read and what I look for in an author.
Fell short of my expectations. If you need PLOT in a book, don't pick this one up.
Unique account from the perspective of a young girl and the generational challenges of poverty, abuse, and survival.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Loved this book and was still rooting for the main character after I finished the final page. Quick, excellent read. Disregard all of the shortsighted reviewers who didn't finish the book.
Really good till the last chapter or so, then it fell apart a bit. It felt rushed in those last bits. Really interesting layout during the abuse parts (very interesting and very effective). I really enjoyed my time with it until the end.
Just finished this book and wow, I think I have found a new favorite author. Love the style and how it is ultimately hopeful (in the face of some very big adversities for sure). Still processing but I think this one will really stick with me.
The Girl Scout Handbook becomes Rory's bible as she comes of age while facing daily trauma living with her single mother in a trailer park outside of Reno. The story is told through a collection of Rory's first-hand accounts, family letters, court documents, social worker reports, math problems, redacted text, and more. Overall I liked the concept and the poetic prose, but I think the story would have worked better as a novella.
I really wanted to like this book but it was so jumbled and disjointed that I just felt more frustrated than anything.