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A review by rubygranger
Bullies like Me by Lindy Zart
5.0
I adore books about bullying and have read dozens of them but 'Bullies like Me' is the second best that I have ever had the fortune of reading (after Atwood's [b:Cat's Eye|51019|Cat's Eye|Margaret Atwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1385207977s/51019.jpg|1019987]!).
Based on the author's own experiences, 'Bullies Like Me' is about a 16/17 year old girl called Alexis who, after moving to a new school, is relentlessly bullied by her peers to the point that she attempts suicide. The book is set a few months later when Alexis is released from a teenage mental institution. There are three different narrators and the story flits between Alexis, Melanie (her bully) and Nick (her love interest). In doing this, Zart distinguishes her novel from much YA bullying-fiction because, more so than in any other novel I have read, there is a focus on the BULLY and not just the victim. She explores the consequences of bullying for all those who are involved.
Usually I don't like teenage romance novels but her and Nick's relationship, whilst significant to the plot, was not the centripetal force of the novel. Rather than repetitive and cliche, their love enriched the novel and it would not have been so excellent if it had not been for Nick.
There are many plot-twists, each one ensuring continued engagement, and I was unable to put my kindle down all morning - it took me three hours in total so is a fairly quick read and one which I am glad to have read all at once. I don't think it would have been so powerful if I had not been so heavily invested. At moments, I truly did laugh out loud and I will not hide the fact that I cried a little as well. It is a heart-wrenching tale (even more so seeing as it is semi-autobiographical) and I know that I will not forget it lightly.
The novel itself is quite dark in terms of subject matter and so I would only recommend this for those age 13 and up. If you have been bullied, been a bully or watched bullying take place, you have to read this novel!
Based on the author's own experiences, 'Bullies Like Me' is about a 16/17 year old girl called Alexis who, after moving to a new school, is relentlessly bullied by her peers to the point that she attempts suicide. The book is set a few months later when Alexis is released from a teenage mental institution. There are three different narrators and the story flits between Alexis, Melanie (her bully) and Nick (her love interest). In doing this, Zart distinguishes her novel from much YA bullying-fiction because, more so than in any other novel I have read, there is a focus on the BULLY and not just the victim. She explores the consequences of bullying for all those who are involved.
Usually I don't like teenage romance novels but her and Nick's relationship, whilst significant to the plot, was not the centripetal force of the novel. Rather than repetitive and cliche, their love enriched the novel and it would not have been so excellent if it had not been for Nick.
There are many plot-twists, each one ensuring continued engagement, and I was unable to put my kindle down all morning - it took me three hours in total so is a fairly quick read and one which I am glad to have read all at once. I don't think it would have been so powerful if I had not been so heavily invested. At moments, I truly did laugh out loud and I will not hide the fact that I cried a little as well. It is a heart-wrenching tale (even more so seeing as it is semi-autobiographical) and I know that I will not forget it lightly.
The novel itself is quite dark in terms of subject matter and so I would only recommend this for those age 13 and up. If you have been bullied, been a bully or watched bullying take place, you have to read this novel!