A review by betweentheshelves
Wide Awake Now by David Levithan

emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I read Wide Awake back when it was first published in 2004, and it definitely hasn't ever been my favorite David Levithan novel. Tone wise, it just felt like it didn't fit with the other things he was writing? While the author's note does give context as to why he decided to give this novel a refresh, I'm not sure it was necessarily something we needed.

A lot of this book reflects what is currently happening in the US (politics wise, at least), and while it is important to talk about those issues, a lot of people read to escape (especially teenagers). I'm not sure this will necessarily have wide appeal. Levithan does deal with these complex issues with grace, but a lot of it just hits too close to home.

Not a terrible read, but probably not a book I'll ever visit again.
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