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A review by emilyjmead
The Guy, the Girl, the Artist and His Ex by Gabrielle Williams
3.0
WELL THIS WAS STRANGE. I liked it - it was quite funny and the writing is...not sure how to say this, but smart? I guess? It reminded me of Michael Adams' writing, actually. I loved how all the story threads came together and it was a very unique story.
_____________________________________
Remember when I reviewed Magonia and told you it was pretty much the weirdest book I’ve ever read? Well, I might have found a contender.
This book was pretty weird. I mean, first of all, only half the characters are teenagers (as in, two of them). There are four narrators in total and I only liked one of them.
When I read YA I don’t PARTICULARLY want to read from the point of view of adults. Particularly if they’re complete and utter arseholes, like Luke was.
But let’s talk about some good things.
1. We have really awesome, smart writing.
Everything came together SO WELL. It was just a genius plot. The writing flowed really well, and it was smart writing – it reminded me of Michael Adams’ writing, or maybe E Lockhart. So if you love E Lockhart (We Were Liars, Frankie Landau-Banks etc) you should definitely read this.
Basically, it’s about a painting being stolen from a gallery, and how four people’s lives intertwined around that event. It was SO GREAT figuring out how all the events linked together. I imagine it would have been fun to write.
2. Rafi
First of all: DIVERSITY (Rafi is from Spanish descent). I really identified with Rafi because she’s a good girl and she’s always doing her school work (I mean, come on, there have to be SOME lame people for me to identify with). I also felt really sorry for her, because she made ONE mistake and it went…well, pear-shaped to say the least.
Poor Rafi.
3. It’s so INTERESTING.
I’d never heard of this portrait-stealing thing, but it was a real thing that happened! I love how Gabrielle Williams used that to make a funny, crazy story. Who knows how much of it is real? I’m sure she’ll never tell!
Unfortunately, the “offbeat comedy” part of this book wasn’t so much comedic as…well, offbeat.
I mean, it went from a really funny book to just OH NO WHAT’S HAPPENING THAT CAN’T HAPPEN.
So the tone kind of confused me, because I wasn’t really sure what I should take from that? I don’t know, maybe I’m reading it wrong.
Also…Penny.
So you know how I was talking about Arsehole Luke before? Penny is Arsehole Luke’s ex. And she basically obsesses over him throughout the book even though he is quite clearly an Arsehole. I mean, I KNOW that this happens in real life and it’s awful, but I just couldn’t connect with her because of that.
Adults are strange creatures sometimes. Not as strange as teenagers, but strange.
But if you want to read a book in the writing style of E Lockhart, funny and sad and just a bit weird, this one’s for you.
_____________________________________
Remember when I reviewed Magonia and told you it was pretty much the weirdest book I’ve ever read? Well, I might have found a contender.
This book was pretty weird. I mean, first of all, only half the characters are teenagers (as in, two of them). There are four narrators in total and I only liked one of them.
When I read YA I don’t PARTICULARLY want to read from the point of view of adults. Particularly if they’re complete and utter arseholes, like Luke was.
But let’s talk about some good things.
1. We have really awesome, smart writing.
Everything came together SO WELL. It was just a genius plot. The writing flowed really well, and it was smart writing – it reminded me of Michael Adams’ writing, or maybe E Lockhart. So if you love E Lockhart (We Were Liars, Frankie Landau-Banks etc) you should definitely read this.
Basically, it’s about a painting being stolen from a gallery, and how four people’s lives intertwined around that event. It was SO GREAT figuring out how all the events linked together. I imagine it would have been fun to write.
2. Rafi
First of all: DIVERSITY (Rafi is from Spanish descent). I really identified with Rafi because she’s a good girl and she’s always doing her school work (I mean, come on, there have to be SOME lame people for me to identify with). I also felt really sorry for her, because she made ONE mistake and it went…well, pear-shaped to say the least.
Poor Rafi.
3. It’s so INTERESTING.
I’d never heard of this portrait-stealing thing, but it was a real thing that happened! I love how Gabrielle Williams used that to make a funny, crazy story. Who knows how much of it is real? I’m sure she’ll never tell!
Unfortunately, the “offbeat comedy” part of this book wasn’t so much comedic as…well, offbeat.
I mean, it went from a really funny book to just OH NO WHAT’S HAPPENING THAT CAN’T HAPPEN.
So the tone kind of confused me, because I wasn’t really sure what I should take from that? I don’t know, maybe I’m reading it wrong.
Also…Penny.
So you know how I was talking about Arsehole Luke before? Penny is Arsehole Luke’s ex. And she basically obsesses over him throughout the book even though he is quite clearly an Arsehole. I mean, I KNOW that this happens in real life and it’s awful, but I just couldn’t connect with her because of that.
Adults are strange creatures sometimes. Not as strange as teenagers, but strange.
But if you want to read a book in the writing style of E Lockhart, funny and sad and just a bit weird, this one’s for you.