A review by unusuallyy
Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

challenging mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

this book was really interesting! i love the concept, and the storyline is pretty good. i feel like a lot of stuff is oversexualized, though, and i wish there was some warning before the more intense sexual scenes. while this might be an accurate picture of some high school life, the constant drug and alcohol picture in this book isn't all that realistic, from what i've seen. sure, there'll be the occasional druggie, and maybe there'll be drinks at parties, but not everybody's drowning in ecstasy. it's not all that common to smoke behind the school anymore. that's just my opinion, maybe your high school pictures were different, but i dunno. seems much more classic 'people've been writing about this type of high school picture for years, so i guess that's how it's gotta be'. if i read this alongside several other books about high school during middle school, i'd be honestly worried for my safety as a freshman.

edit: upon rereading a few chapters, i don't know how i didn't notice how much this book objectifies women. it kind of portrays them without much character and like toys for the men to pick-and-choose from. the only real headstrong and sensible female character i remember seeing was christine (or christina idk), and all the others were very emotionally sensitive and submissive (just from reading one scene). the only other headstrong female character was perhaps jeremy's mom and that one girl who skinned her knees on the steps (who is portrayed as frivolous, silly, and uncool).
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