eleana's review
5.0
Really liked this book. It was fast paced and well written and it had some sensitive subjects but they were handled pretty well. The whole theme was darker than I expected when I first started reading this. I liked the chapters from Alice's story and both Alice and Duffy were actually pretty cool characters. Might possibly reread since there's probably things I didn't pick up on at first.
loulud21's review
2.0
What a shock. I wasn't expecting the ending whatsoever, and I suppose it sent a good message for children suffering abuse. But still...
tashy_jane's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lisgoe's review against another edition
5.0
Duffy has been sent to stay at his Nan's while his mother is in America with his sister Charlotte for her operation. Duffy has a really bad stammer and suffers from Tourettes (not the swearing kind). He gets bullied and has hardly any friends. But this is the summer he meets Alice. Bold bad Alice. No one has a good word to say for her. She finishes Duffy's sentences when he is not able to finish them. Everyone thinks that Alice's adopted dad is the next best thing to a saint. With his fiery red hair and fluffy beard, his jolly humour and his deep, booming laughter. So does Duffy, but as he befriends Alice, she lets him read a book that she has been writing. She has based it on the novel "Alice in Wonderland" but with her own plot line and twist on characters. But when Duffy finally cracks the message behind the story, Duffy and Alice's lives will never be the same.
This book, at the end, resolved into child abuse and molesting (which I did not know when I picked up the book in the library!) but it was a really interesting read! Since I'm a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking-Glass, when you get to read Alice's book, It is fascinating to point and say "Oh this is from this poem and she's a adaptation to that character from the book" I thoroughly enjoyed it! So much so, I might actually get it for my kindle!
4/5
4/5
bashbashbashbash's review against another edition
4.0
"Bad Alice" is a short but masterfully written YA book about a lonely 13-year-old kid called Duffy and his friendship with a girl named Alice who everyone thinks is bad. Alice and Duffy get on immediately, despite Duffy's stuttering and spasms (he has Tourette's syndrome) and Alice's very poor reputation. Duffy enjoys Alice's sense of her humour, her kindness and her imaginative nature. He doesn't mind her fierce temper or her inventiveness (in fact, he quite enjoys the latter), and finds her relaxing and friendly. The two quickly form a very close bond, so close that Alice shares a story she's writing called Malice in Blunderland. The story is quite frightening, and Duffy begins to worry about her home life.
There's a great deal to like about this book. Likeable Duffy makes a lively, perceptive and funny first-person narrator, who makes it clear to the reader that Alice isn't half so "bad" as the people around him seem to think (in fact, she's quite likeable, as her care and friendship toward Duffy demonstrate).
It was easy for me to imagine younger teens (12+) engaging well with the book. The subject matter is upsetting at times (I shed tears during the last few chapters), but it's neither graphic nor overwhelming, simply sad. Older teens and even adults will find plenty to like about the protagonists and the dark subject matter.
Last word (before the spoil-y spoilers, that is): I do wish the cover were better. Between the cover photo and the font choice, it's difficult to figure out who the book is aimed at. The content merits better.
PS A note on spoilers: Despite knowing them before reading the book, I still enjoyed it thoroughly due to the vivid characterisation and quick-moving plot.
********************SPOILERS**********************
It's pretty obvious from the description of the book and the first 70 or so pages that Alice is being sexually abused by her father. However, this may not be obvious to younger readers and they may be quite shocked/upset. This is not to say that a younger teen shouldn't read it. The book is great for ages 11+, but it might be good to have a conversation with younger readers while or after they read it.
There's a great deal to like about this book. Likeable Duffy makes a lively, perceptive and funny first-person narrator, who makes it clear to the reader that Alice isn't half so "bad" as the people around him seem to think (in fact, she's quite likeable, as her care and friendship toward Duffy demonstrate).
It was easy for me to imagine younger teens (12+) engaging well with the book. The subject matter is upsetting at times (I shed tears during the last few chapters), but it's neither graphic nor overwhelming, simply sad. Older teens and even adults will find plenty to like about the protagonists and the dark subject matter.
Last word (before the spoil-y spoilers, that is): I do wish the cover were better. Between the cover photo and the font choice, it's difficult to figure out who the book is aimed at. The content merits better.
PS A note on spoilers: Despite knowing them before reading the book, I still enjoyed it thoroughly due to the vivid characterisation and quick-moving plot.
********************SPOILERS**********************
It's pretty obvious from the description of the book and the first 70 or so pages that Alice is being sexually abused by her father. However, this may not be obvious to younger readers and they may be quite shocked/upset. This is not to say that a younger teen shouldn't read it. The book is great for ages 11+, but it might be good to have a conversation with younger readers while or after they read it.
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