ariatari's review
5.0
Oh man this book was good. Izzy was quite a relatable character surprisingly. Reed is one of my favorite authors who write books dealing with mental illness. I also have another one of her books, entitled "Clean". I also enjoyed that one to pieces. Will definitely be one of the books I reread time and time again!
pikasqueaks's review
5.0
This book did a number on me. So it's about Connor and it's about Izzy and it's about this THING between the two of them. It's about mutual destruction, budding love, caring, misunderstandings, understanding, mental illness, worry, and hope.
And when you read a book that is, essentially YourLife.txt, it becomes hard to objectively review it. There are a number of passages in this book that are put so perfectly, that hit so close, so hard, that I had to put the book in my freezer for a while.
Seeing yourself in the pages of a book, especially one about two teenagers, can be painful.
It's hard to find a YA book incorporating mental illness that doesn't demonize it. Crazy does not romanticize it, but it doesn't demonize it, either. If you're familiar with books about mental illness (specifically bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc), you know that most of what's out there paints each person who manages it in the worst lights manageable. While Izzy's condition blows up and people will likely have a hard time understanding why she does things, it's real. It's important to remember that it's just one of the ways that things can go, though. It's not as though you're seeing it from the outside, either. These are Izzy's thoughts, and sometimes you need something between you. That's where Connor comes in.
The interesting part, and what made this stand out so far is that there is a lot to fault Connor for in the book as well. He knows things are spiraling out of control, and he doesn't understand it. He tries to understand it -- which is amazing, bless this fictional boy -- but he doesn't establish boundaries, and while he's observational, and he misses what's really going on. His addiction to Izzy blinds him from seeing what could potentially hurt him, and hurt her. The fact that there are two not-so-innocent parties in the book manipulating one another is a breath of the freshest air.
There are some unfortunate stereotypes that are used in the book -- that Izzy is an artist is one. Oh, there's truth behind that stereotype, but it doesn't make it any less disappointing to see it when it's used. However, like with everything she does, Amy Reed handles the subject with strength. I'm starting to think there's no subject the author can't touch without turning it into gold.
I will hand Crazy to my friends, and to my loved ones -- and one day, to someone in specific, and have them read it. It's one that shouldn't be missed.
And when you read a book that is, essentially YourLife.txt, it becomes hard to objectively review it. There are a number of passages in this book that are put so perfectly, that hit so close, so hard, that I had to put the book in my freezer for a while.
Seeing yourself in the pages of a book, especially one about two teenagers, can be painful.
It's hard to find a YA book incorporating mental illness that doesn't demonize it. Crazy does not romanticize it, but it doesn't demonize it, either. If you're familiar with books about mental illness (specifically bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc), you know that most of what's out there paints each person who manages it in the worst lights manageable. While Izzy's condition blows up and people will likely have a hard time understanding why she does things, it's real. It's important to remember that it's just one of the ways that things can go, though. It's not as though you're seeing it from the outside, either. These are Izzy's thoughts, and sometimes you need something between you. That's where Connor comes in.
The interesting part, and what made this stand out so far is that there is a lot to fault Connor for in the book as well. He knows things are spiraling out of control, and he doesn't understand it. He tries to understand it -- which is amazing, bless this fictional boy -- but he doesn't establish boundaries, and while he's observational, and he misses what's really going on. His addiction to Izzy blinds him from seeing what could potentially hurt him, and hurt her. The fact that there are two not-so-innocent parties in the book manipulating one another is a breath of the freshest air.
There are some unfortunate stereotypes that are used in the book -- that Izzy is an artist is one. Oh, there's truth behind that stereotype, but it doesn't make it any less disappointing to see it when it's used. However, like with everything she does, Amy Reed handles the subject with strength. I'm starting to think there's no subject the author can't touch without turning it into gold.
I will hand Crazy to my friends, and to my loved ones -- and one day, to someone in specific, and have them read it. It's one that shouldn't be missed.
okay_lis's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved how the whole book was written in email back and forth between Conner and Isabel. I can strongly empathize with Iz and Connor was just so genuinely caring for her regardless. It was really brave of him to help her in the way he did, I think most people would have walked away the second they suspected any kind of problem.
This whole book was really endearing for me. I R E A L L Y enjoyed it over all. Two characters I really liked from the get go and that didn't absolutely drive me insane at any time in point throughout the story.
This whole book was really endearing for me. I R E A L L Y enjoyed it over all. Two characters I really liked from the get go and that didn't absolutely drive me insane at any time in point throughout the story.
cassidylynnereads's review against another edition
3.0
This was actually a reread from a while ago. I'm not quite sure when I first read it, but it's been at least two years and I decided to revisit it since it's a quick read and I remembered enjoying it before. I don't know if it's my reading slump still lurking or just that my opinion has changed so much, but upon rereading this book I found that it was average. It wasn't a terrible read (side note: my rating would probably be a 3.5/5 if goodreads allowed half stars) but it's just not my cup of tea. One major factor that made me dislike this book was the constant mention of sex. Perhaps it's the fact that I am now confident in my asexuality and strong distaste for sex, but this time around I found some parts more uncomfortable than humurous or artistic like they were supposed to be. Like many others have said in their reviews, this book takes place mostly through emails, and while many people thought that took away from the book I found that I actually enjoyed it this way. Though the text wasn't flowery and descriptive because of this, I think it gave a clear view of how quickly Isabelle jumped from one emotion to the next, and it overall added to the idea that she's very flighty. I think the book did a great job of portraying mental illness and how difficult it can be to love someone suffering from problems that you can't really understand. The only major critique I have is that some of parts of the book felt like they weren't authentic. The way Connor and Izzy talk about teenage angst felt like they were trying too hard to be relatable and ironic. I think the only time teenagers actually joke about angst is when they're discussing the emo or scene crowd. And again it may just be my personal distaste, but I thought there was an awful lot of awkward sex talks for two teenagers who are just friends and only met at camp (especially when one is obviously in love with the other). Maybe I just wasn't in the right crowd, but I don't think teenagers are such huge sex fiends like this book makes them out to be, but maybe I'm wrong. I will say the best thing about this book that I think made me love it so much the first time I read it was the ending. I think things wrapped up nicely and the actual scenes from the real world were what the majority of this book was missing. Again, not a terrible read, but just an average read. I think I may end up reselling this book because I don't see myself reading it again in the future.
Spoiler
While I cannot relate to the manic moods caused by bipolar disorder, I can strongly relate to the depressed moods and I particularly loved this quote because of how painfully accurate it is about how one feels while depressed: "Do you know the feeling that everything's wrong, that your skin does not belong on your body, that your body does not belong, period? I imagine the world without me, and it doesn't make me sad at all. It doesn't make me feel anything. I could just drift away from my silly life and make space for someone who truly deserves to be here."rkinnard's review against another edition
5.0
If you’ve been around me at all lately, you’ve probably heard me mention Amy Reed at least a few times. This woman is an amazing author. She doesn’t hold back and writes with an intensity and honesty that is rarely seen. She’s probably one of my favorite authors, so when I saw this book come out, I knew I needed it immediately. Crazy was so good that I devoured it in two days.
Crazy is written in a series of emails between two teenagers, Connor and Isabel/Izzy, who met at summer camp. At first, Izzy seems like any hormonal teenager with her intense emotions and mood swings. As the story progresses though, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Her highs are too high and her lows are too low. Connor is forced to watch from afar as Izzy descends into self-destruction. As Connor gets pulled deeper and deeper into Izzy’s world, he must find out a way to help before it’s too late.
I’ve read a lot of books dealing with the theme of mental illness, some better than others, so I was looking forward to see if Amy Reed would successfully pull it off. Her portrayal of bipolar disorder was probably one of the best I’ve ever read. She was nearly spot on with the kind of devastating destruction mental illness can cause in one’s life and relationships. The writing style and flow of Izzy’s emails spoke volumes about what kind of condition Izzy was in at the time. Like Connor, I found myself being pulled into Izzy’s world. I wanted to save her, but felt helpless and confused at the same time.
This was one of those books that, after finishing, I needed some time alone to think about what I had just read. When trying to describe how I felt to a friend, I was speechless. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading stories that involve raw and pure emotion, because this one sure does. Crazy is a powerful story of love and hope and the reality of mental illness. With every book she writes, Amy Reed just gets better and better.
This review (and more!) can be found at Rachel Reads
Crazy is written in a series of emails between two teenagers, Connor and Isabel/Izzy, who met at summer camp. At first, Izzy seems like any hormonal teenager with her intense emotions and mood swings. As the story progresses though, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Her highs are too high and her lows are too low. Connor is forced to watch from afar as Izzy descends into self-destruction. As Connor gets pulled deeper and deeper into Izzy’s world, he must find out a way to help before it’s too late.
I’ve read a lot of books dealing with the theme of mental illness, some better than others, so I was looking forward to see if Amy Reed would successfully pull it off. Her portrayal of bipolar disorder was probably one of the best I’ve ever read. She was nearly spot on with the kind of devastating destruction mental illness can cause in one’s life and relationships. The writing style and flow of Izzy’s emails spoke volumes about what kind of condition Izzy was in at the time. Like Connor, I found myself being pulled into Izzy’s world. I wanted to save her, but felt helpless and confused at the same time.
This was one of those books that, after finishing, I needed some time alone to think about what I had just read. When trying to describe how I felt to a friend, I was speechless. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys reading stories that involve raw and pure emotion, because this one sure does. Crazy is a powerful story of love and hope and the reality of mental illness. With every book she writes, Amy Reed just gets better and better.
This review (and more!) can be found at Rachel Reads
imallmadhere's review against another edition
3.0
I was super excited for this title after reading Amy Reeds book Clean. The concept for this book was a bit different. Where Clean was a series of journal entries Crazy is also epistolary but in the form of an email exchange between Conor and Izzy. Conor and Izzy met at a summer camp and live far enough apart that their friendship is long distance. Conor is an only child and lives with his mother a psychologist on a small island that requires a ferry ride to and from the mainland. Izzy is the youngest child of wealthy parents. She has an older brother with a recurring drug problem and her sister is happily married to her partner and they are expecting their first child together.
Conor is obviously in love with Izzy and wants their relationship to move to a new level but Izzy is consistently vague on her feelings for Conor. Izzy comes off as self-absorbed and frequently leans on Conor in their friendship expecting much but giving nothing in return.
I was initially intrigued but the constant whining of an over-indulged rich kid were not my cup of tea. Her characters problems and emotional issues are real enough but for me the ignored rich kid is cliche.
Ultimately a good read if you ignore the rich kid cliche.
The cover for the book flows with the covers of Amy Reed's other books which though they are not a series are nice if you are looking for more books by the same author. They are clean and simply designed but the stark white background can be compelling enough to encourage a pick up! If I had to choose I would recommend Clean over Crazy as a reading choice
Conor is obviously in love with Izzy and wants their relationship to move to a new level but Izzy is consistently vague on her feelings for Conor. Izzy comes off as self-absorbed and frequently leans on Conor in their friendship expecting much but giving nothing in return.
I was initially intrigued but the constant whining of an over-indulged rich kid were not my cup of tea. Her characters problems and emotional issues are real enough but for me the ignored rich kid is cliche.
Ultimately a good read if you ignore the rich kid cliche.
The cover for the book flows with the covers of Amy Reed's other books which though they are not a series are nice if you are looking for more books by the same author. They are clean and simply designed but the stark white background can be compelling enough to encourage a pick up! If I had to choose I would recommend Clean over Crazy as a reading choice