tthe_cancerian's review against another edition
3.0
Wow! Listening this on an audiobook was the best decision. The effect of the voices, stories, and the emotions were so raw and real.
3 stars to the actual story, 1 star for the brilliant audiobook.
3 stars to the actual story, 1 star for the brilliant audiobook.
sofiemichon's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
booklover_77's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cardamomi's review against another edition
2.0
La serie tv mi ha turbato a tal punto che ogni tanto, anche diversi giorni dopo averla conclusa, mi sono trovata a ripensare ad Hannah Baker e alla sua tragica fine. A domandarmi se io, nei suoi panni e a differenza sua, sarei stata in grado di non lasciarmi sopraffare da quel drammatico effetto valanga a tal punto da precipitare sempre più giù, in un baratro da cui è difficilissimo risalire. Se sarei stata capace di reagire, di urlare a squarciagola: «Aiutatemi».
Il libro invece mi ha lasciato a tratti indifferente, e non capisco se la mia quasi insensibilità sia da imputare al tocco più soft usato dall'autore nel descrivere certe situazioni, laddove invece lo show Netflix non lesina una sincerità cruda, brutale, spietata, oppure se il motivo risiede nel fatto che la suddetta serie ha, tra virgolette, prosciugato tutte le emozioni che poteva suscitare in me una simile vicenda. Non so.
So però che sono davvero grata di non aver mai pensato, durante la mia adolescenza, che certi ostacoli fossero insormontabili.
Il libro invece mi ha lasciato a tratti indifferente, e non capisco se la mia quasi insensibilità sia da imputare al tocco più soft usato dall'autore nel descrivere certe situazioni, laddove invece lo show Netflix non lesina una sincerità cruda, brutale, spietata, oppure se il motivo risiede nel fatto che la suddetta serie ha, tra virgolette, prosciugato tutte le emozioni che poteva suscitare in me una simile vicenda. Non so.
So però che sono davvero grata di non aver mai pensato, durante la mia adolescenza, che certi ostacoli fossero insormontabili.
rigo_salvatierra's review against another edition
2.0
ughhhhhhhh (1.5 stars)
the only positive I can give this book is that it never got boring to read. jay asher could at least keep my interest for the majority of the book. now most of that interest was due to Hannah's storytelling, which is where first of many, MANY of my issues with this book come to light. I just did not like Clay as a narrator, and it was a mistake to make the person who liked Hannah the most the main character of this story. His conflicting emotions regarding her suicide and constant self-pity just got exhausting. He provided no insightful commentary, he had no distinct voice, and I got no sense that he was as great of a person as everyone described him. He honestly just came off as pathetic and flat, and while I do not like Hannah at all I feel like this story would have worked better if it was just her telling her story. Moreover Clay was supposed to be the voice trying to get us to sympathize with Hannah, which failed spectacularly.
Some other issues are the ridiculous elements of the story. I could make a solid list of things I just never understood, which would include:
1. Everyone just letting Clay listen to these tapes in different locations. Absolutely no one checked up on him??? His mom, the waiters, the people around him, his peers, no one? Only Tony did so, and in my opinion he was an asshole for just leaving Clay alone at night to listen to these tapes after knowing how traumatized he was. Fuck Tony.
2. Who the fuck listens to cassette tapes/has a way to listen to them just lying around?
3. If there is only one post office in town why has NO ONE there wondered why they have to keep mailing out a box of cassette tapes??
4. Hannah's timeline was so confusing. It's clear that her first few tapes took place early freshman year, and she committed suicide junior year. But outside of that everything is so blurry and I have no sense of time that helps me process what she is saying. It just got too convoluted to follow along.
5. All of the people Hannah declared as "reasons" just came off as cartoonish villains. That's probably how she viewed them, but these are high schoolers. I'm not denying that so much of the shit that she went through happens in high school by their peers or teachers, but why did every. single. person. in her life have to be so horrible? Why did the ONLY person deemed okay in this book have to be a love interest whose insecurity led to him being too scared to reach out and help her? No one else at her school even remotely liked her?? Halfway through the book it started feeling more like a pity party with each evil action and terrible circumstance she experienced. And I hate that I felt that way because I wanted to empathize with her, but I just finished every chapter leaving more confused than empathetic.
I could go on, but this book is just not worth it. It's really bad, it takes so many tough issues and handles none of them with care, and it read less like the tragic story of a girl who committed suicide and more like a revenge tale with poor narration. I'm honestly curious how season 1 of the show tackled the material, but I know that I am never ever going to return the source material.
the only positive I can give this book is that it never got boring to read. jay asher could at least keep my interest for the majority of the book. now most of that interest was due to Hannah's storytelling, which is where first of many, MANY of my issues with this book come to light. I just did not like Clay as a narrator, and it was a mistake to make the person who liked Hannah the most the main character of this story. His conflicting emotions regarding her suicide and constant self-pity just got exhausting. He provided no insightful commentary, he had no distinct voice, and I got no sense that he was as great of a person as everyone described him. He honestly just came off as pathetic and flat, and while I do not like Hannah at all I feel like this story would have worked better if it was just her telling her story. Moreover Clay was supposed to be the voice trying to get us to sympathize with Hannah, which failed spectacularly.
Some other issues are the ridiculous elements of the story. I could make a solid list of things I just never understood, which would include:
1. Everyone just letting Clay listen to these tapes in different locations. Absolutely no one checked up on him??? His mom, the waiters, the people around him, his peers, no one? Only Tony did so, and in my opinion he was an asshole for just leaving Clay alone at night to listen to these tapes after knowing how traumatized he was. Fuck Tony.
2. Who the fuck listens to cassette tapes/has a way to listen to them just lying around?
3. If there is only one post office in town why has NO ONE there wondered why they have to keep mailing out a box of cassette tapes??
4. Hannah's timeline was so confusing. It's clear that her first few tapes took place early freshman year, and she committed suicide junior year. But outside of that everything is so blurry and I have no sense of time that helps me process what she is saying. It just got too convoluted to follow along.
5. All of the people Hannah declared as "reasons" just came off as cartoonish villains. That's probably how she viewed them, but these are high schoolers. I'm not denying that so much of the shit that she went through happens in high school by their peers or teachers, but why did every. single. person. in her life have to be so horrible? Why did the ONLY person deemed okay in this book have to be a love interest whose insecurity led to him being too scared to reach out and help her? No one else at her school even remotely liked her?? Halfway through the book it started feeling more like a pity party with each evil action and terrible circumstance she experienced. And I hate that I felt that way because I wanted to empathize with her, but I just finished every chapter leaving more confused than empathetic.
I could go on, but this book is just not worth it. It's really bad, it takes so many tough issues and handles none of them with care, and it read less like the tragic story of a girl who committed suicide and more like a revenge tale with poor narration. I'm honestly curious how season 1 of the show tackled the material, but I know that I am never ever going to return the source material.
giltedgess's review against another edition
2.0
I watched the series way long ago.
And there's definitely scenes in this book that are pretty well engraved before reading.
So with me saying that, if didn't watch the series before half of these events won't be even clear. There is no clarity in this book. No character developments. And the scene about Bryce and Jessica is not that clear, and how did she know about it? And the ending is very very weak to be honest I gave it two stars cz it was a very fast read and simple. Yet it should have been deeper.
And there's definitely scenes in this book that are pretty well engraved before reading.
So with me saying that, if didn't watch the series before half of these events won't be even clear. There is no clarity in this book. No character developments. And the scene about Bryce and Jessica is not that clear, and how did she know about it? And the ending is very very weak to be honest I gave it two stars cz it was a very fast read and simple. Yet it should have been deeper.
agxxo's review against another edition
1.0
*TRIGGER WARNING: suicide; self-harm
*was recommended to me by a friend from school
At the time of reading this book, I actually enjoyed it. I read this book in eighth grade. I'm now in 11th grade, and I've learned about the things the author has done and I've really realized: this is a terrible book. It's a terrible subject to write a book on and the basic idea is really horrible and could be triggering.
It glamorizes suicide, which is a thing that should never ever be done. It makes me sick to think, that, at one point I actually liked this book.
Also, if Clay had nothing to do with her suicide, then why was he dragged into this whole mess? I will never support this book or this author due to this reason. Also, as someone who has since dealt with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, this book could be very triggering to some and may lead some to want to do it or attempt it. And that is why I hate this book and will never support it, the author or the show.
*was recommended to me by a friend from school
At the time of reading this book, I actually enjoyed it. I read this book in eighth grade. I'm now in 11th grade, and I've learned about the things the author has done and I've really realized: this is a terrible book. It's a terrible subject to write a book on and the basic idea is really horrible and could be triggering.
It glamorizes suicide, which is a thing that should never ever be done. It makes me sick to think, that, at one point I actually liked this book.
Also, if Clay had nothing to do with her suicide, then why was he dragged into this whole mess? I will never support this book or this author due to this reason. Also, as someone who has since dealt with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, this book could be very triggering to some and may lead some to want to do it or attempt it. And that is why I hate this book and will never support it, the author or the show.
notchloelucas's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Rape
sometimesalyreadsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book as a teen and then again as an adult. As a teen, it hit home. I felt understood and could relate to the protagonist’s anger, secrecy, revenge hunger and drama. Now as an adult, rereading this book made me ill. An adult wrote this to connect with teens, yes, but did not draw any connections to how to seek help or point out the illogical mindset of the protagonist, and how she was manipulative. I worry had I been in a worse mindset upon reading the book the first time, what it could have justified for me.