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A review by gorbisorbi
The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
4.0
Do you ever get that mushy, warm feeling after reading a book? That was what I felt, but with a horrible aftertaste. (Spoilers ahead)
The story begins abruptly—she is dead and that's that. The way she narrated didn't make me the biggest fan of the book at first. I dislike whiny, immature teenage girls, and that's pretty much Brie for you. However, during her funeral, at the sudden mention of Friends (Smelly Cat), I became more interested and read on. In general, it was funny and heartbreaking, but I have to point out a few things I disliked:
1. How immature can she be at 15? I'm turning 15 in a few days, and I don't wear some kind of "friendship bracelet" or take Which Disney Princess Are You tests or refer to some pen I lost when I was a child as the Greatest Pen Ever. Some other retorts I can handle, but some sounded just like a 9-year-old.
2. Parallel to her immaturity, SHE HAD LOST HER VIRGINITY. I have no idea if this is a cultural impact, but seriously? I know it sucks to be a virgin when you die, but this was really weird.
3. Okay. Fine. I liked the gay plot twist. (Not against gays either... it just took me offguard)
4. I did not like the plot's inconsistency. Towards the end, a lot of concepts about afterlife and the "in-between" (to borrow a word from the Lovely Bones... which is similar to this book somehow) were crammed. I felt confused about the Lost Souls thing—how could you give away salvation and then have a happily ever after? *Scratches head*
Overall, the book caught me with different emotions—but overall, a good feeling. :)
The story begins abruptly—she is dead and that's that. The way she narrated didn't make me the biggest fan of the book at first. I dislike whiny, immature teenage girls, and that's pretty much Brie for you. However, during her funeral, at the sudden mention of Friends (Smelly Cat), I became more interested and read on. In general, it was funny and heartbreaking, but I have to point out a few things I disliked:
1. How immature can she be at 15? I'm turning 15 in a few days, and I don't wear some kind of "friendship bracelet" or take Which Disney Princess Are You tests or refer to some pen I lost when I was a child as the Greatest Pen Ever. Some other retorts I can handle, but some sounded just like a 9-year-old.
2. Parallel to her immaturity, SHE HAD LOST HER VIRGINITY. I have no idea if this is a cultural impact, but seriously? I know it sucks to be a virgin when you die, but this was really weird.
3. Okay. Fine. I liked the gay plot twist. (Not against gays either... it just took me offguard)
4. I did not like the plot's inconsistency. Towards the end, a lot of concepts about afterlife and the "in-between" (to borrow a word from the Lovely Bones... which is similar to this book somehow) were crammed. I felt confused about the Lost Souls thing—how could you give away salvation and then have a happily ever after? *Scratches head*
Overall, the book caught me with different emotions—but overall, a good feeling. :)