Scan barcode
A review by pikasqueaks
Other Broken Things by Christa Desir
There is so much heart in this book -- and so much development from the author. This book reminded me of Rachel Cohn's Gingerbread in a way, though they don't share any similarities I can think of. It's Natalie's voice and character which remind me.
Natalie was a boxer, and when her parents got her to stop boxing, she filled a hole inside of herself with alchohol. She befriends some other partiers and slips into a hole of drinking to fill up the anger inside of her. Some bad stuff happens, and here we are.
One thing I always enjoy about Christa Desir's books is the use of adult guidance. Her parental units are always interesting and present in a big way--this time, it's with an overbearing father and run-down mom. But better than just that are Kathy and Joe, AA people who both play a role in Natalie's recovery.
Where I'm sure reviews will dig their heels in about a romantic subplot, it rings true--and especially for someone of Natalie's age. It's hard to read and leaves a sour feeling in the stomach, but it is authentic.
Which is really what I can say about this book as a whole. It's authentic. Natalie is a deeply realized character who is powerless over her addiction, angry for all of the reasons a kid in her shoes should be, and trying her best all the same. The growing focus on her relationship with her mom is something even people not in her shoes could understand. And the identification of the toxic elements in her life allows her to figure out what she really needs.
The last fifth of the book is an emotional roller coaster, but it's one with a satisfying and deeply hopeful message. I wish we got to see more of Natalie's downward spiral, a more concrete feeling for the before. You understand from context how far she's come, but there's a rock bottom moment and so much comes before. It's not the focus of the story, and I get that, but we don't know nearly enough about Natalie's before, I think.
Alcoholism is not a topic we see when it comes to YA (the kids being alcoholics, at least), and I was very pleased in how expertly this story was handled.
Natalie was a boxer, and when her parents got her to stop boxing, she filled a hole inside of herself with alchohol. She befriends some other partiers and slips into a hole of drinking to fill up the anger inside of her. Some bad stuff happens, and here we are.
One thing I always enjoy about Christa Desir's books is the use of adult guidance. Her parental units are always interesting and present in a big way--this time, it's with an overbearing father and run-down mom. But better than just that are Kathy and Joe, AA people who both play a role in Natalie's recovery.
Where I'm sure reviews will dig their heels in about a romantic subplot, it rings true--and especially for someone of Natalie's age. It's hard to read and leaves a sour feeling in the stomach, but it is authentic.
Which is really what I can say about this book as a whole. It's authentic. Natalie is a deeply realized character who is powerless over her addiction, angry for all of the reasons a kid in her shoes should be, and trying her best all the same. The growing focus on her relationship with her mom is something even people not in her shoes could understand. And the identification of the toxic elements in her life allows her to figure out what she really needs.
The last fifth of the book is an emotional roller coaster, but it's one with a satisfying and deeply hopeful message. I wish we got to see more of Natalie's downward spiral, a more concrete feeling for the before. You understand from context how far she's come, but there's a rock bottom moment and so much comes before. It's not the focus of the story, and I get that, but we don't know nearly enough about Natalie's before, I think.
Alcoholism is not a topic we see when it comes to YA (the kids being alcoholics, at least), and I was very pleased in how expertly this story was handled.