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A review by janeneal
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
1.0
I didn't read this because I thought it would be good or exceed my low expectations. I read a lot of different reviews and came to the conclusion that is book was definitely not for me.
I read it, and wanted to review it, because a lot of the negative reviews I wanted to like also talked about wanting to punch Nora in the face. Or die. And all the other usual violent ways to express hatred for a main character.
So, I wanted to read and review this without all of that. Because the author should be getting the flack. Not violent threats of course, but why give Nora the short end of this deal when she is clearly at the mercy of a lack of thoughtful revision and editing?
There are plenty of reviewers who talk about how creepy Patch is, Nora's not-so-logical decision making, and the similarity to Twilight. So I knew all that going in. As well as the completely nonsensical Biology class. That was initially what sparked my interest in picking up this book (with a glass of wine).
Outside of all of the above, I think the writing is what makes this book the worst.
It's nowhere near amazing, but then it can get real awkward real fast. Here's a description of the stereotypical mean-girl, Marcie Miller (in first person, mind):
"Her strawberry blond hair was combed into low pigtails, and like always, her skin was concealed under half a bottle of foundation. I was fairly certain I'd guessed the right amount, since there wasn't a trace of her freckles in sight. I hadn't seen any of Marcie's freckles since seventh grade, the same year she discovered Mary Kay. There was three-quarters of an inch between the hem of her skirt and the start of her underwear...if she was even wearing any."
I'm curious, as this is all through Nora's perspective in first-person, how she would know exactly how much distance would exist between Marcie's underwear and skirt? I'm really genuinely confused. Nothing before that was much better, but when I read this, I was like "WHAT?"
Not only that, but the typical girl-on-girl hate...it's so old and tired. Bullying is a huge problem, but this isn't even that. It's senseless and shallow drama. I had TERRIBLE acne starting in fifth grade and I fell under the sway of Mary Kay to try to hide it. Does that mean I was terrible and shallow in middle and high school? I don't have freckles, but again, my acne was TERRIBLE. And it did not take half a bottle of foundation to cover up.
I don't choose to wear make-up anymore because I'd much rather sleep in than mess with making it look really nice. That's my personal choice and it's just as valid for someone to make the choice to wear make-up. Patch compliments and tells Nora not to wear make-up and that really pisses me off. I really hate the trend of guys complaining about girls wearing make-up, whether it's 'too much' or just at all. It's still controlling if a guy is telling a girl NOT to wear it.
(Make-up rant over).
Beyond all that, there are very weird descriptions and metaphors. When Nora has a run-in with a homeless person, this is her description:
"Her eyes were raisins, beady and dark, and they twitched their way over me in almost predatory evaluation."
That is just such a strange metaphor. Not only that, but this woman is continuously dehumanized by Nora, Patch, and Jules. She's only referred to as 'bag lady'. This book is full of strange things like that, which wouldn't be a super huge deal if it wasn't constantly pulling me out of the story in confusion. When Nora finds what is obviously a conspiracy website about Fallen Angels and Nephilim, she 'mouse-clicks' to get the link. Why not just click? This was published in 2009, so it's not like Googling something is a super new concept.
Also, this could be because of the classes I'm taking this semester, but there is so much excessive descriptors that were very redundant. Or, would immediately be contradicted with the next sentence. It was like reading a rough draft before any kind of revision.
Anyway. This wasn't fun to read, with or without any alcohol, because I had more homework to do over Spring Break than I anticipated. Reading this all in one sitting with alcohol and no interruptions is sure to be the best way to read this book.
I read it, and wanted to review it, because a lot of the negative reviews I wanted to like also talked about wanting to punch Nora in the face. Or die. And all the other usual violent ways to express hatred for a main character.
So, I wanted to read and review this without all of that. Because the author should be getting the flack. Not violent threats of course, but why give Nora the short end of this deal when she is clearly at the mercy of a lack of thoughtful revision and editing?
There are plenty of reviewers who talk about how creepy Patch is, Nora's not-so-logical decision making, and the similarity to Twilight. So I knew all that going in. As well as the completely nonsensical Biology class. That was initially what sparked my interest in picking up this book (with a glass of wine).
Outside of all of the above, I think the writing is what makes this book the worst.
It's nowhere near amazing, but then it can get real awkward real fast. Here's a description of the stereotypical mean-girl, Marcie Miller (in first person, mind):
"Her strawberry blond hair was combed into low pigtails, and like always, her skin was concealed under half a bottle of foundation. I was fairly certain I'd guessed the right amount, since there wasn't a trace of her freckles in sight. I hadn't seen any of Marcie's freckles since seventh grade, the same year she discovered Mary Kay. There was three-quarters of an inch between the hem of her skirt and the start of her underwear...if she was even wearing any."
I'm curious, as this is all through Nora's perspective in first-person, how she would know exactly how much distance would exist between Marcie's underwear and skirt? I'm really genuinely confused. Nothing before that was much better, but when I read this, I was like "WHAT?"
Not only that, but the typical girl-on-girl hate...it's so old and tired. Bullying is a huge problem, but this isn't even that. It's senseless and shallow drama. I had TERRIBLE acne starting in fifth grade and I fell under the sway of Mary Kay to try to hide it. Does that mean I was terrible and shallow in middle and high school? I don't have freckles, but again, my acne was TERRIBLE. And it did not take half a bottle of foundation to cover up.
I don't choose to wear make-up anymore because I'd much rather sleep in than mess with making it look really nice. That's my personal choice and it's just as valid for someone to make the choice to wear make-up. Patch compliments and tells Nora not to wear make-up and that really pisses me off. I really hate the trend of guys complaining about girls wearing make-up, whether it's 'too much' or just at all. It's still controlling if a guy is telling a girl NOT to wear it.
(Make-up rant over).
Beyond all that, there are very weird descriptions and metaphors. When Nora has a run-in with a homeless person, this is her description:
"Her eyes were raisins, beady and dark, and they twitched their way over me in almost predatory evaluation."
That is just such a strange metaphor. Not only that, but this woman is continuously dehumanized by Nora, Patch, and Jules. She's only referred to as 'bag lady'.
Spoiler
She's also killed because she's wearing Nora's coat and no one gives any fucks whatsoever except, 'Oh man, that was meant for Nora!'Also, this could be because of the classes I'm taking this semester, but there is so much excessive descriptors that were very redundant. Or, would immediately be contradicted with the next sentence. It was like reading a rough draft before any kind of revision.
Anyway. This wasn't fun to read, with or without any alcohol, because I had more homework to do over Spring Break than I anticipated. Reading this all in one sitting with alcohol and no interruptions is sure to be the best way to read this book.