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2.5 stars
While The Wave discusses some interesting topics (namely how the Germans could let the atrocities committed by the Nazis just happen), it only does so on a superficial level and lacks the depth I would have liked or wanted, especially on a reread. The writing is pretty weak as other reviewers have pointed out, and the whole book feels very juvenile. The teenagers feel much younger, especially when they forget the rules set only two sentences ago(like not standing up and saying the teacher's name when answering a question when that was exactly what the teacher told them to do, and be puzzled as to what they did wrong. Common, teenagers are naive but not stupid).
Also, how David treats Laurie is a huge yikes and it’s kinda disgusting that them ending up together at the end is treated as a happy-end
"The next thing he knew, he had grabbed her arm.
'Let go of me!' Laurie struggled to get free, but David held her arm tightly.
(…)
But Laurie kept resisting.(…)
Overcome with anger, David grabbed her other arm.
(…)
But Laurie only struggled harder to get out of his grasp. 'I hate you!' She cried. 'I hate The Wave! I hate all of you!'
The words struck David like a hard slap in the face. Almost out of control, he screamed, 'Shut up!' And threw her down on the grass. Her books went flying as she fell roughly tot he ground."
Abusive relationship much?
.
While The Wave discusses some interesting topics (namely how the Germans could let the atrocities committed by the Nazis just happen), it only does so on a superficial level and lacks the depth I would have liked or wanted, especially on a reread. The writing is pretty weak as other reviewers have pointed out, and the whole book feels very juvenile. The teenagers feel much younger, especially when they forget the rules set only two sentences ago(like not standing up and saying the teacher's name when answering a question when that was exactly what the teacher told them to do, and be puzzled as to what they did wrong. Common, teenagers are naive but not stupid).
Also, how David treats Laurie is a huge yikes and it’s kinda disgusting that them ending up together at the end is treated as a happy-end
Spoiler
To elaborate on this: A few days after David breaks up with Laurie for very weak reasons and stands her up, this gem of a scene transpires:"The next thing he knew, he had grabbed her arm.
'Let go of me!' Laurie struggled to get free, but David held her arm tightly.
(…)
But Laurie kept resisting.(…)
Overcome with anger, David grabbed her other arm.
(…)
But Laurie only struggled harder to get out of his grasp. 'I hate you!' She cried. 'I hate The Wave! I hate all of you!'
The words struck David like a hard slap in the face. Almost out of control, he screamed, 'Shut up!' And threw her down on the grass. Her books went flying as she fell roughly tot he ground."
Abusive relationship much?