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paige_nguyen 's review for:
Prep
by Curtis Sittenfeld
First thoughts after finishing this book: I'm glad that's over and I really wish I wasn't one of those readers who can't stand to not finish a book.
Once again I am claimed victim of false expectations. I went into this book expecting a much different boarding school story. The reason I picked it up in the first place was because I wanted a quick, light read after finishing Game of Thrones. Also, I was craving a boarding school story because ever since I was in middle school I harbored some not-so-secret longings to attend a boarding school myself (thanks, Harry Potter). But this book me much longer to read than I expected and, being someone who generally goes through novels at a fairly quick clip, the slow reading pace could only be chalked up to one thing- I was really not enjoying picking this one up.
The main reason I was not enjoying it was because the main character, Lee, was such an abominable person to experience anything through. I felt I was being robbed of my fictional boarding school vacation because she was spoiling everything. She had an absolutely terrible attitude about every little possible thing. I wanted to go out and explore the school and its many fascinating inhabitants, and all she wanted to do was stay in her dorm room wallowing in self-doubt/hatred. At the beginning of the book I thought, oh, she's a little nervous and is trying to find her footing, but I'm sure soon enough she'll figure this all out and we'll be off experiencing what Ault School has to offer. But no. From freshman year till her graduation day, Lee continued a pathetic existence that she practically created all by herself. It would have been easier to like her even if she was just so socially anxious that I felt sorry for her. Unfortunately, she was a jerk a lot of times too, and I didn't blame the people who didn't want to be around her. I didn't want to be around her either.
I think this book shouldn't be labeled simply a "boarding school book" but instead, a book about being really super ridiculously insecure about every detail of your life. If it would've had that tag, I would've known what to expect before spending money on it (used, at least). I can see why some people might see this as a book to relate to about how it feels to be an awkward teenager, but it was just too much for me. I didn't feel like her situation ever had a light at the end of the angsty tunnel. I felt like Lee only changed once she left Ault, which is hinted at in an "off-stage" sort of way. I enjoy reading books because I like to live in other people's shoes and see how they solve problems or brave tough circumstances. The shoes of Lee Fiora were torturous to try and I'm happy to return them to their owner.
Once again I am claimed victim of false expectations. I went into this book expecting a much different boarding school story. The reason I picked it up in the first place was because I wanted a quick, light read after finishing Game of Thrones. Also, I was craving a boarding school story because ever since I was in middle school I harbored some not-so-secret longings to attend a boarding school myself (thanks, Harry Potter). But this book me much longer to read than I expected and, being someone who generally goes through novels at a fairly quick clip, the slow reading pace could only be chalked up to one thing- I was really not enjoying picking this one up.
The main reason I was not enjoying it was because the main character, Lee, was such an abominable person to experience anything through. I felt I was being robbed of my fictional boarding school vacation because she was spoiling everything. She had an absolutely terrible attitude about every little possible thing. I wanted to go out and explore the school and its many fascinating inhabitants, and all she wanted to do was stay in her dorm room wallowing in self-doubt/hatred. At the beginning of the book I thought, oh, she's a little nervous and is trying to find her footing, but I'm sure soon enough she'll figure this all out and we'll be off experiencing what Ault School has to offer. But no. From freshman year till her graduation day, Lee continued a pathetic existence that she practically created all by herself. It would have been easier to like her even if she was just so socially anxious that I felt sorry for her. Unfortunately, she was a jerk a lot of times too, and I didn't blame the people who didn't want to be around her. I didn't want to be around her either.
I think this book shouldn't be labeled simply a "boarding school book" but instead, a book about being really super ridiculously insecure about every detail of your life. If it would've had that tag, I would've known what to expect before spending money on it (used, at least). I can see why some people might see this as a book to relate to about how it feels to be an awkward teenager, but it was just too much for me. I didn't feel like her situation ever had a light at the end of the angsty tunnel. I felt like Lee only changed once she left Ault, which is hinted at in an "off-stage" sort of way. I enjoy reading books because I like to live in other people's shoes and see how they solve problems or brave tough circumstances. The shoes of Lee Fiora were torturous to try and I'm happy to return them to their owner.