Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Okie dokie.
Before I get into this, I want to disclaim that I am pro-gun control. This stems from my Pakistani background and personal Pacifism, and I am not going to justify that further. So.
This book seemed entirely too dogmatic to me, and I am legitimately in favor of Australia-style mass banning of guns. As literary merit goes, I like Strasser's method of splicing quotes and viewpoints into a broader narrative; it's transcendental in a way, and definitely more effective in generating pathos than a first-person or third-person narrative would be. I simply can't get over the sheer antagonization of even moderate viewpoints on gun control, as those holding these views are presented as utterly incompetent in the novel. This doesn't sit well with me, and impeded my ability to value the social commentary aspect Strasser was going for.
Dogmatic writing is not good writing. If you want to provide a thoughtful critique, be subtle about it, or hit the reader over the head with it while simultaneously acknowledging nuance. One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way with this book was how Dustin was used as a method of comparison versus the shooters. The whole dialogue about African American struggles somehow being on par with those of a white kid that gets bullied? No thank you. That's not discourse, that's bullshit. That's really what disappoints me about this book. There's plenty of things to be lauded; the characterization, the rhetorical choices, etc. Yet without nuance, it becomes difficult to swallow such a rigid, I-have-an-agenda work.
So yeah. Peace.
Before I get into this, I want to disclaim that I am pro-gun control. This stems from my Pakistani background and personal Pacifism, and I am not going to justify that further. So.
This book seemed entirely too dogmatic to me, and I am legitimately in favor of Australia-style mass banning of guns. As literary merit goes, I like Strasser's method of splicing quotes and viewpoints into a broader narrative; it's transcendental in a way, and definitely more effective in generating pathos than a first-person or third-person narrative would be. I simply can't get over the sheer antagonization of even moderate viewpoints on gun control, as those holding these views are presented as utterly incompetent in the novel. This doesn't sit well with me, and impeded my ability to value the social commentary aspect Strasser was going for.
Dogmatic writing is not good writing. If you want to provide a thoughtful critique, be subtle about it, or hit the reader over the head with it while simultaneously acknowledging nuance. One thing that really rubbed me the wrong way with this book was how Dustin was used as a method of comparison versus the shooters. The whole dialogue about African American struggles somehow being on par with those of a white kid that gets bullied? No thank you. That's not discourse, that's bullshit. That's really what disappoints me about this book. There's plenty of things to be lauded; the characterization, the rhetorical choices, etc. Yet without nuance, it becomes difficult to swallow such a rigid, I-have-an-agenda work.
So yeah. Peace.
Anhand von Interviews der Zeugen wird die Geschichte zweier Amokläufer rekonstruiert; interessant und sehr gut übermittelt.
This book was okay, but I felt like it was way too simplistic to have any kind of impact. I did love the format of the book though! It was really interesting and creative.
Can't really give this book a rating considering I didn't finish the book. My grade eleven English class was reading this but had to stop because of the incident in Connecticut. Although, I find it interesting and sad. I do, believe that everyone should read this book because this proves that bullying can go farther than you think. And that people do need help with it. I think that everyone has a point in their life where they need to put a stand for bullying and wear pink against bullying.
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved this book. It brought up some really fascinating points on gun control, and the influence that guns have on our society and pop culture. I loved that it was in interview form, and that we get to see all of the different perspectives of what happened with Gary and Brennan. The ending was still shocking, even though, throughout the story, they give you clues as to what really happened. Gary shooting himself was horrible, but reading about Brennnan being wrestled down by one of the football players, who had never bullied him, and was a friend, to try and get the gun away from him, only to have the other football players practically beat him to death......wow. It is extremely heavy, but a very interesting read.
i don't think the format of it really adding anything to what it was trying to say. aside from the little facts thrown in, this didn't pack the punch i was hoping it would've.
don't get me wrong - this was written in response to columbine, and i think strasser had the right idea when he was writing this, but in retrospect, there are much better books on this topic.
this book kinda just made me want to go read [b:Columbine|5632446|Columbine|Dave Cullen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442939134s/5632446.jpg|5803859] instead of a dramatized version.
don't get me wrong - this was written in response to columbine, and i think strasser had the right idea when he was writing this, but in retrospect, there are much better books on this topic.
this book kinda just made me want to go read [b:Columbine|5632446|Columbine|Dave Cullen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442939134s/5632446.jpg|5803859] instead of a dramatized version.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Suicide, Blood
Minor: Confinement, Drug use, Gore, Grief, Abandonment