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A review by michellewords
Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican
3.0
Well, that book was...an experience.
I remember when this book came out, there was so much buzz around it. The cover and description of this old Catholic school and how both students and teachers collide in the book that mainly focuses on three freshmen and their experiences.
Right out of the gate, Breznican comes in hot with the first chapter. The first chapter describes an incredibly complex, violent event at the school right before our main characters begin to actually go to the school. I loved this chapter more than the whole book. It lays down some really cool ground work and character creation that gave me VERY unrealistic expectations for the rest of the book.
From there we meet Peter, Noah, and Lorelei. Each character has their own set of needs and desires for the time at Saint Michaels-but it doesn't go the way they hoped or expected.
In my library, this book is in the general, adult fiction section and I'm a little surprised. I don't feel like this book has much going on for adults at all. I think it would be better fit for YA. It's a lot about navigating high school and the movement from childhood to adulthood.
There's some good themes in the book with bullies of all ages and personalities to becoming an adult and who you are as a person and not based on what other people make you.
That said, I don't feel as though the book navigates these themes or opportunities very well at all. At times the book was REALLY dull with day-to-day things that didn't make sense or matter at all. It wasn't compelling and felt really dragged out. So much so that even at the different plot points, I didn't feel invested and I often missed it so I had to rewind to find out what happened because I zoned out.
End of the day, this wasn't for me and I really don't know if most adults will appreciate or enjoy the book. I think I would have liked the book a lot better in high school where it's more applicable and relatable.
Do not recommend to the general audience-forgettable. Do recommend to YA audiences with the caveat of a slower book.
I remember when this book came out, there was so much buzz around it. The cover and description of this old Catholic school and how both students and teachers collide in the book that mainly focuses on three freshmen and their experiences.
Right out of the gate, Breznican comes in hot with the first chapter. The first chapter describes an incredibly complex, violent event at the school right before our main characters begin to actually go to the school. I loved this chapter more than the whole book. It lays down some really cool ground work and character creation that gave me VERY unrealistic expectations for the rest of the book.
From there we meet Peter, Noah, and Lorelei. Each character has their own set of needs and desires for the time at Saint Michaels-but it doesn't go the way they hoped or expected.
In my library, this book is in the general, adult fiction section and I'm a little surprised. I don't feel like this book has much going on for adults at all. I think it would be better fit for YA. It's a lot about navigating high school and the movement from childhood to adulthood.
There's some good themes in the book with bullies of all ages and personalities to becoming an adult and who you are as a person and not based on what other people make you.
That said, I don't feel as though the book navigates these themes or opportunities very well at all. At times the book was REALLY dull with day-to-day things that didn't make sense or matter at all. It wasn't compelling and felt really dragged out. So much so that even at the different plot points, I didn't feel invested and I often missed it so I had to rewind to find out what happened because I zoned out.
End of the day, this wasn't for me and I really don't know if most adults will appreciate or enjoy the book. I think I would have liked the book a lot better in high school where it's more applicable and relatable.
Do not recommend to the general audience-forgettable. Do recommend to YA audiences with the caveat of a slower book.