rwidiani's review against another edition
3.0
"Being an introvert in an extroverted world is extremely hard work. One of the many reasons I wrote EVERY EXQUISITE THING"
I read the writer's tweet and that's it, I HAVE TO BUY THIS BOOK!
Usually I will wait patiently until it's in my library, but I was so curious.
It's a really good book for teenagers who are still in their searching phase of life.
I can relate to some parts in this book, about being introvert, different than others, not following the majority.
It's about finding the real you, trying the standard way of life, the popular one and find out, that if it's not you, then it's time to be you again.
I read the writer's tweet and that's it, I HAVE TO BUY THIS BOOK!
Usually I will wait patiently until it's in my library, but I was so curious.
It's a really good book for teenagers who are still in their searching phase of life.
I can relate to some parts in this book, about being introvert, different than others, not following the majority.
It's about finding the real you, trying the standard way of life, the popular one and find out, that if it's not you, then it's time to be you again.
cfreda's review against another edition
4.0
This is a YA Bildungsroman novel in which Nanette undergoes many hardships to figure out exactly who she is and who she wants to be. Quick perfectly captures the internal teenage struggle to decide whether to assimilate with the crowd or find what makes you truly happy and fulfilled. Definitely recommended.
vickisein's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aschwartz184's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Matthew Quick's work. Something about the teen voices on his writings come across as very sincere and authentic.
'Every Exquisite Thing' did not disappoint - mostly. Nanette O'Hare is a high school senior who is introduced to a (fictional) book by her favorite teacher and the book changes her life. But is it for the better?
I love that Nanette is a flawed protagonist who is given a wake-up call to the notion of faking or ghosting her way through life. I really felt for her. I wasn't enamoured with many of the other characters and the 'twist' was a little predictable. So for Nanette and Matthew Quick's exquisite prose, I give this book 4 stars.
I enjoyed 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock' a bit more.
'Every Exquisite Thing' did not disappoint - mostly. Nanette O'Hare is a high school senior who is introduced to a (fictional) book by her favorite teacher and the book changes her life. But is it for the better?
I love that Nanette is a flawed protagonist who is given a wake-up call to the notion of faking or ghosting her way through life. I really felt for her. I wasn't enamoured with many of the other characters and the 'twist' was a little predictable. So for Nanette and Matthew Quick's exquisite prose, I give this book 4 stars.
I enjoyed 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock' a bit more.
pinkblingd's review against another edition
reflective
- 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
"Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic."
Life is hard, beautiful, sad, happy, frustrating, and every phase is filled with brilliant contradictions. But life is even more bewildering for teenagers, especially those who strive for authenticity and wonder why they don't fit in with their peers, parents, or any adults. All anyone can do is blindly choose a path, stumble often, and keep seeking new experiences that are true to our authentic selves.
Life is hard, beautiful, sad, happy, frustrating, and every phase is filled with brilliant contradictions. But life is even more bewildering for teenagers, especially those who strive for authenticity and wonder why they don't fit in with their peers, parents, or any adults. All anyone can do is blindly choose a path, stumble often, and keep seeking new experiences that are true to our authentic selves.
dlberglund's review against another edition
I'm not sure how many stars to give this book. At times I thought I would fully hate this book. At other times, I remembered what it felt like senior year of high school, to feel disconnected from everyone else at the exact time that you're supposed to be living in an amazing 80s movie and have the *best friends ever*. Nanette falls in love with a Catcher in the Rye-type book, and everything in her life changes- some things by her choice and others not so much. She falls down the rabbit hole a little bit, and swirls around the question of who she really is and what she really wants. Meanwhile, the Salinger/Quick-stand-in keeps insisting two things: 1. there is no such thing as fiction, and 2. the author can not be held responsible for a reader's actions. I think this book will lend itself to great discussions and debates, maybe even someday as a class reading.
wombat_88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0