vanesssareads's review against another edition
5.0
This was the most devastatingly heartbreaking book I have ever read in my life.
pikasqueaks's review
4.0
Cat Clarke is one of those authors who will rip out your heart with just a few sentences. Jem's one of the most lovable narrators I've read in a while. Her relationship with her best friend, Kai, is one that many people could understand. Not just because Kai is gay, but because there's a bond that forms between best friends when there's a little bit more of a connection -- even if that connection's just one-sided. Jem doesn't make you feel sorry for her about being in love with Kai, and I think that made the story even stronger.
UNDONE deals with some heavy things. Kai is outed in the most vicious way, via a video upload. It was taken at a party, and definitely not with Kai's consent. After the humiliation that follows, Kai commits suicide. Jem slips into a deep, almost delirious depression. While she's stuck there, Kai's sister comes and hands her a stack of letters from Kai. After reading, Jem's filled with the desire to avenge her best friend's death. The way to do that?
Infiltrate the in-crowd.
more at my blog!
UNDONE deals with some heavy things. Kai is outed in the most vicious way, via a video upload. It was taken at a party, and definitely not with Kai's consent. After the humiliation that follows, Kai commits suicide. Jem slips into a deep, almost delirious depression. While she's stuck there, Kai's sister comes and hands her a stack of letters from Kai. After reading, Jem's filled with the desire to avenge her best friend's death. The way to do that?
Infiltrate the in-crowd.
more at my blog!
bookshelfmonkey's review
1.0
No. This is more of a rant than a review because the more I think about this book, the more I hate it. I have strong feelings about it even a year later.
The start was pretty solid. It was pretty sad but there was nothing "wrong" with it per se. You meet the two main characters, Jem and Kai. They have a pretty solid friendship. Kai is gay and Jem is accepting of that, but his sister (for some reason) thinks it's disgusting. I don't say for some reason as in "why would anyone even think being gay is disgusting?" (although that is also a thing I think) but because it literally makes no sense. She grew up in a liberal household in 21st century Britain and is a literal child when Kai comes out. There is no reason for her to be that homophobic, it makes no sense.
Then Jem and Kai go to a party together. They split up and Jem starts talking to this boy who tries to sexually assault her (I'm pretty sure, I read the book a while ago).
Anyway, she leaves the party alone, not being able to find Kai. The next day (I'm pretty sure), hell breaks loose. Two boys have been filmed having sex and the video has been leaked to the entire school. One of the boys remains anonymous but the other one is clearly Kai. This was upsetting, obviously, but the way in which it was written was pretty good. One problem, however, is the fact that this is A LITERAL CRIME. It was all carried out by someone at the school (so a teenager) so it really shouldn't have been too hard for the police to track down and arrest the person responsible. That didn't happen.
What did happen, was that Kai's mental health deteriorates over the following days and he ends up committing suicide. Again, sad, and not the problem I had with the book. This wrecks Jem and she's contemplating taking her own life until she learns that Kai has left her twelve letters, one for each month of the next year. She reads the first one and decides to change her life. She pulls herself together, which is impressive (also kinda unrealistic but whatever) and seems pretty much fine. She goes back to school, but instead of moving on with her life, she decides to find the person who filmed Kai and make their life miserable. She hunts around a bit, and eventually is given (anonymously) some names on a piece of paper. These people are the "popular kids" of the school (very cliché, the description of a british secondary school was downright inaccurate) so she befriends these people and manipulates them.
These people are very nice to her but she doesn't even question whether it was really them, she just destroys their lives. The things she does to these people includes:
A false rape allegation
Starting rumours that someone is intersex
"Outing" someone as gay (who wasn't gay)
Yep, after her friend being outed led to him committing suicide, she starts rumours that another guy is gay.
Then we get to the finale. Her and these people, who she's still friends with (and they're still nice to her, despite the shit they've gone through- they didn't know it was her). There's a whole scene and she pushes the last guy, who she believes is the ringleader, into a fire.
He (I'm pretty sure he was a guy) gets hospitalised, along with at least one other person who tried to help him and they say that they never filmed her friend. She realises that it was Kai's sister who filmed them and, upon realising how awful she's been, kills herself.
This could have been a great book, teaching about homophobia and mental health. We could have read a book about someone who grieves the loss of her friend and learns to move on but instead it was... this. I will never not be mad.
The start was pretty solid. It was pretty sad but there was nothing "wrong" with it per se. You meet the two main characters, Jem and Kai. They have a pretty solid friendship. Kai is gay and Jem is accepting of that, but his sister (for some reason) thinks it's disgusting. I don't say for some reason as in "why would anyone even think being gay is disgusting?" (although that is also a thing I think) but because it literally makes no sense. She grew up in a liberal household in 21st century Britain and is a literal child when Kai comes out. There is no reason for her to be that homophobic, it makes no sense.
Then Jem and Kai go to a party together. They split up and Jem starts talking to this boy who tries to sexually assault her (I'm pretty sure, I read the book a while ago).
Anyway, she leaves the party alone, not being able to find Kai. The next day (I'm pretty sure), hell breaks loose. Two boys have been filmed having sex and the video has been leaked to the entire school. One of the boys remains anonymous but the other one is clearly Kai. This was upsetting, obviously, but the way in which it was written was pretty good. One problem, however, is the fact that this is A LITERAL CRIME. It was all carried out by someone at the school (so a teenager) so it really shouldn't have been too hard for the police to track down and arrest the person responsible. That didn't happen.
What did happen, was that Kai's mental health deteriorates over the following days and he ends up committing suicide. Again, sad, and not the problem I had with the book. This wrecks Jem and she's contemplating taking her own life until she learns that Kai has left her twelve letters, one for each month of the next year. She reads the first one and decides to change her life. She pulls herself together, which is impressive (also kinda unrealistic but whatever) and seems pretty much fine. She goes back to school, but instead of moving on with her life, she decides to find the person who filmed Kai and make their life miserable. She hunts around a bit, and eventually is given (anonymously) some names on a piece of paper. These people are the "popular kids" of the school (very cliché, the description of a british secondary school was downright inaccurate) so she befriends these people and manipulates them.
These people are very nice to her but she doesn't even question whether it was really them, she just destroys their lives. The things she does to these people includes:
A false rape allegation
Starting rumours that someone is intersex
"Outing" someone as gay (who wasn't gay)
Yep, after her friend being outed led to him committing suicide, she starts rumours that another guy is gay.
Then we get to the finale. Her and these people, who she's still friends with (and they're still nice to her, despite the shit they've gone through- they didn't know it was her). There's a whole scene and she pushes the last guy, who she believes is the ringleader, into a fire.
He (I'm pretty sure he was a guy) gets hospitalised, along with at least one other person who tried to help him and they say that they never filmed her friend. She realises that it was Kai's sister who filmed them and, upon realising how awful she's been, kills herself.
This could have been a great book, teaching about homophobia and mental health. We could have read a book about someone who grieves the loss of her friend and learns to move on but instead it was... this. I will never not be mad.
josiebug's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SAD SAD SAD I CRIED A LOT :,(
rebeccabooks's review
4.0
Originally posted here: http://rebecca-books.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/undone-cat-clarke.html
I was lucky enough to get a proof copy of Undone through work. I have never read anything else by Cat Clarke but many bloggers and friends I know have continually recommended her books so I thought I was in for a really good read by choosing this.
I have to admit I really thought this was going to be one of those typical teen reads - silly, fun, a little bit frivolous, and you get that impression I think from the blurb. However, this was far from frivolous or silly. So FAR. And I was so surprised by the events in the novel, Jem's character, the writing - just everything wretched my heart into pieces. Wow, Cat Clarke sure knows how to write....
Synopsis: Jem is in love with her best friend, Kai. One problem: he's gay. Not exactly ideal but she's learning to go with it.
Until one night at a party. Something dreadful happens to Jem. But something even more horrible happens to Kai - he's outed online over his gayness. A couple days later, Kai is dead.
Jem is left alone and a wreak after her best friend's suicide and knows she cannot bring him back. But after discovering who she thinks is responsible for the video, Jem wants to get back at them. She wants revenge.
Review:
When I started this novel, I knew it would be break my heart into little pieces and scatter them about London. And Undone succeeded in doing so. The remarkable aspect of this novel which I think was done so so well, and not seen in most novels is the ability to make you as a reader think firmly throughout the majority of the novel that the ending will end in a certain way. But then that is turned completely on it's head once you reach the ending. I thought I knew how this was going to end, to me it was obvious. But then the last few chapters happened and I was told something completely wrong , shocking and a moment that stayed with me for quite a while after finishing the book.
The ending is amazing, dramatic and subtle in so many different ways. If you have any faults or criticisms of the novel itself, you cannot fault the ending. I think for those that are lucky enough to read this book, you will totally agree with me.
Another aspect that made this book, if it's possible, more heartbreaking was the realism that Clarke employs through the pages. I recognised Jem's struggle, her hatred for the elite popular group and the power they hold over everyone else and I think Clarke definitely portrayed this aspect in a way that was scarily real to me. I could relate to Jem a lot with my far share of arguments and isolation from those I considered my friends at the time. I hated the popular group, the way they felt they could do anything, be anything, get anything. There was this one girl who everyone loved in particular that I looked at and knew I didn't like her. The same for a few people at my college now, it's judgemental yes, but I think any teenager can detect who is or isn't popular in the social hierarchy of schools just by looking at them. Linked to this is the power of bullying that every teenager is taught about from an early age yet no-one takes any of the advice. I don't think people realise the power and magic the internet has on bullying and Clarke makes that poignant in Undone with the suicide of Kai.
I didn't mind Jem, she was neither too annoying or too weedy as I think a character in her situation could be considered. I found Jem a little scary at some points at the lengths and transgressions she was willing to go in order to carry out her plan of revenge. She is in a bad place throughout the majority of the novel and it the pure rawness and emotion that Cat Clarke portrays over the page to the reader that I think really makes this novel stick in your mind - there were many times when I felt violently uncomfortable at what was happening. Jem's resolution in revenge, her final act perhaps, is one of these moments that I don't think I expected at all. She is consumed by rage, fear and revenge that this makes this book incredibly intense to read. Do not go for this book for a light read.
As my first dose of Cat Clarke, I was impressed I have to say at Clarke's writing and style that I think any teenager in secondary school/high school would be able to relate to BIG TIME. It's refreshing to see a YA novel that deals with bullying in this way with both being bullied and doing the bullying and I think there needs to be more books such as this on the market.
Cat Clarke's writing is what makes this book so great as she has a mastery by not letting the reader know information until the last moment, I found just a constant stream of suspense throughout the novel that left me guessing and guessing until the end and beyond. This is a jewel of a book that I'm so glad I had a chance to read.
I give it a 4 out of 5
I was lucky enough to get a proof copy of Undone through work. I have never read anything else by Cat Clarke but many bloggers and friends I know have continually recommended her books so I thought I was in for a really good read by choosing this.
I have to admit I really thought this was going to be one of those typical teen reads - silly, fun, a little bit frivolous, and you get that impression I think from the blurb. However, this was far from frivolous or silly. So FAR. And I was so surprised by the events in the novel, Jem's character, the writing - just everything wretched my heart into pieces. Wow, Cat Clarke sure knows how to write....
Synopsis: Jem is in love with her best friend, Kai. One problem: he's gay. Not exactly ideal but she's learning to go with it.
Until one night at a party. Something dreadful happens to Jem. But something even more horrible happens to Kai - he's outed online over his gayness. A couple days later, Kai is dead.
Jem is left alone and a wreak after her best friend's suicide and knows she cannot bring him back. But after discovering who she thinks is responsible for the video, Jem wants to get back at them. She wants revenge.
Review:
When I started this novel, I knew it would be break my heart into little pieces and scatter them about London. And Undone succeeded in doing so. The remarkable aspect of this novel which I think was done so so well, and not seen in most novels is the ability to make you as a reader think firmly throughout the majority of the novel that the ending will end in a certain way. But then that is turned completely on it's head once you reach the ending. I thought I knew how this was going to end, to me it was obvious. But then the last few chapters happened and I was told something completely wrong , shocking and a moment that stayed with me for quite a while after finishing the book.
The ending is amazing, dramatic and subtle in so many different ways. If you have any faults or criticisms of the novel itself, you cannot fault the ending. I think for those that are lucky enough to read this book, you will totally agree with me.
Another aspect that made this book, if it's possible, more heartbreaking was the realism that Clarke employs through the pages. I recognised Jem's struggle, her hatred for the elite popular group and the power they hold over everyone else and I think Clarke definitely portrayed this aspect in a way that was scarily real to me. I could relate to Jem a lot with my far share of arguments and isolation from those I considered my friends at the time. I hated the popular group, the way they felt they could do anything, be anything, get anything. There was this one girl who everyone loved in particular that I looked at and knew I didn't like her. The same for a few people at my college now, it's judgemental yes, but I think any teenager can detect who is or isn't popular in the social hierarchy of schools just by looking at them. Linked to this is the power of bullying that every teenager is taught about from an early age yet no-one takes any of the advice. I don't think people realise the power and magic the internet has on bullying and Clarke makes that poignant in Undone with the suicide of Kai.
I didn't mind Jem, she was neither too annoying or too weedy as I think a character in her situation could be considered. I found Jem a little scary at some points at the lengths and transgressions she was willing to go in order to carry out her plan of revenge. She is in a bad place throughout the majority of the novel and it the pure rawness and emotion that Cat Clarke portrays over the page to the reader that I think really makes this novel stick in your mind - there were many times when I felt violently uncomfortable at what was happening. Jem's resolution in revenge, her final act perhaps, is one of these moments that I don't think I expected at all. She is consumed by rage, fear and revenge that this makes this book incredibly intense to read. Do not go for this book for a light read.
As my first dose of Cat Clarke, I was impressed I have to say at Clarke's writing and style that I think any teenager in secondary school/high school would be able to relate to BIG TIME. It's refreshing to see a YA novel that deals with bullying in this way with both being bullied and doing the bullying and I think there needs to be more books such as this on the market.
Cat Clarke's writing is what makes this book so great as she has a mastery by not letting the reader know information until the last moment, I found just a constant stream of suspense throughout the novel that left me guessing and guessing until the end and beyond. This is a jewel of a book that I'm so glad I had a chance to read.
I give it a 4 out of 5
123445667robin's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
holsarmstrong's review
4.0
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. But I did like it. I think Jem was an interesting character. I really didn't like her at first because she was so judgemental, but I did see some character development throughout the book and by the end, I saw her as someone who grew as a person.
Oh my god, I loved Lucas. I really wished Jem spent more time with him than she did and I wish they didn't end things as they did either.
This book felt to me like someone who was really judgemental deciding to seek revenge on people who are popular - but the ending and the entirety of the book proves that it isn't true for everyone. Just because you're popular, doesn't mean you're a dick.
I cut off a star because I did have some mixed feelings at some points and I also really just didn't understand what Louise (Kai's sister, I think) reason was for doing that to her brother. I didn't feel like I got any closure from it, it just felt random. Also, Jem never bothered to properly investigate what happened to Kai, she just decided to take things as face value - so for that reason, I can only give it four stars.
But that ending - Jesus effing christ. In a way, I am glad it didn't end with her being "saved" or having some ephiany and even though she did realise she wanted to live, her actions got her to where she is - well isn't, I guess. She's now lying at the same place Kai is. That ending was like woah, what!! and I had to read it a few times to make sure I was reading it right. I like that Cat Clarke didn't make it a happy, run of the mill ending. It felt more real somehow.
Oh my god, I loved Lucas. I really wished Jem spent more time with him than she did and I wish they didn't end things as they did either.
This book felt to me like someone who was really judgemental deciding to seek revenge on people who are popular - but the ending and the entirety of the book proves that it isn't true for everyone. Just because you're popular, doesn't mean you're a dick.
I cut off a star because I did have some mixed feelings at some points and I also really just didn't understand what Louise (Kai's sister, I think) reason was for doing that to her brother. I didn't feel like I got any closure from it, it just felt random. Also, Jem never bothered to properly investigate what happened to Kai, she just decided to take things as face value - so for that reason, I can only give it four stars.
But that ending - Jesus effing christ. In a way, I am glad it didn't end with her being "saved" or having some ephiany and even though she did realise she wanted to live, her actions got her to where she is - well isn't, I guess. She's now lying at the same place Kai is. That ending was like woah, what!! and I had to read it a few times to make sure I was reading it right. I like that Cat Clarke didn't make it a happy, run of the mill ending. It felt more real somehow.
maddymc1eod's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
such a sad, beautiful book. i cant say much more