mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
This book. So heartbreaking and sad and beautiful. I adore Finn. And Hayley. And my heart breaks for Hayley. This was a very emotional book and my heart is just torn apart!
lbb00ks's review against another edition
Another excellent and chilling story of the demons in our lives, and the cost of keeping them at bay, as well as not keeping them at bay. This book deals with PTSD, addiction and divorce, among other traumas.
wggleworm's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent portrayal of what I imagine it's like for someone to live with a close family member who has PTSD from a war experience. I met Laurie Halse Anderson when I got this book, and also heard her speak at ALAN. Her reasons for this book are personal, and I'm thankful for the light it sheds on the matter.
I can't imagine how someone like Hayley doesn't seek out help for herself, much less her dad, but Anderson explores some of those reasons as the novel progresses and as she confronts fears.
Though the back story of Finn and Gracie are less important, I did think those characters were underdeveloped in that regard. Gracie and Topher, especially, completely disappeared by the end.
I can't imagine how someone like Hayley doesn't seek out help for herself, much less her dad, but Anderson explores some of those reasons as the novel progresses and as she confronts fears.
Though the back story of Finn and Gracie are less important, I did think those characters were underdeveloped in that regard. Gracie and Topher, especially, completely disappeared by the end.
shonaningyo's review against another edition
2.0
I understand that PTSD is a very serious thing and in a person as proud as a soldier who believes that they have to be strong 24/7 because they've been trained that way and don't want to be a burden on their family.
But OH MY GOD.
Fucking A, girl! Get your Dad to a psychiatrist! How is the way he is acting, drinking, doing drugs, screaming in his sleep,exhibiting an extremely short temper, can't hold down a job, how the HELL is this something that isn't a big deal? How is it that you had to wait until he tried to commit suicide that you tried to get help?! This is shit that needs OUTSIDE HELP, because you sure as hell aren't doing anything to help along the healing process!
My teacher said that because of her age she wouldn't know what kind of resources to search for when it came to getting help for her father, but she had his army buddies to help! You can't force people like them into getting help, but fuck it all then everything they've worked for is pointless if he tries to jump off a ledge and end his life to make everyone else feel better!!
For a girl that has dealt with this shit for a long time, she sure is clueless as to how to actually take care of her obviously mentally ill father. It's not goddamn rocket science that he needs help. And being a bitch to your teachers doesn't get you anywhere. I'm surprised her love interest put up with her shit.
Also, her bullshit vendetta against everyone and everything is very tiresome. Go cut yourself, emo kid. No one gives a shit about how oh-so-tragic you are because no one understands you and everyone is a hopeless zombie. I can say this because I wasn't a popular kid, and I sort of still aren't. So I know what it's like to go through the ringer when it comes to school. But that doesn't mean you should throw up your hands and say "fuck it, no one understands me". No, you don't know what not belonging REALLY feels like, because your ass was in the passenger seat of a fucking truck for how many years?
Freaks and zombies? How close-minded are you? Freaks and zombies. Huh, you mean the people who have problems and the people who are relatively well-adjusted to who they are, what they want to do, and generally their life in general? How judgmental you are, you little cunt!
But OH MY GOD.
Fucking A, girl! Get your Dad to a psychiatrist! How is the way he is acting, drinking, doing drugs, screaming in his sleep,exhibiting an extremely short temper, can't hold down a job, how the HELL is this something that isn't a big deal? How is it that you had to wait until he tried to commit suicide that you tried to get help?! This is shit that needs OUTSIDE HELP, because you sure as hell aren't doing anything to help along the healing process!
My teacher said that because of her age she wouldn't know what kind of resources to search for when it came to getting help for her father, but she had his army buddies to help! You can't force people like them into getting help, but fuck it all then everything they've worked for is pointless if he tries to jump off a ledge and end his life to make everyone else feel better!!
For a girl that has dealt with this shit for a long time, she sure is clueless as to how to actually take care of her obviously mentally ill father. It's not goddamn rocket science that he needs help. And being a bitch to your teachers doesn't get you anywhere. I'm surprised her love interest put up with her shit.
Also, her bullshit vendetta against everyone and everything is very tiresome. Go cut yourself, emo kid. No one gives a shit about how oh-so-tragic you are because no one understands you and everyone is a hopeless zombie. I can say this because I wasn't a popular kid, and I sort of still aren't. So I know what it's like to go through the ringer when it comes to school. But that doesn't mean you should throw up your hands and say "fuck it, no one understands me". No, you don't know what not belonging REALLY feels like, because your ass was in the passenger seat of a fucking truck for how many years?
Freaks and zombies? How close-minded are you? Freaks and zombies. Huh, you mean the people who have problems and the people who are relatively well-adjusted to who they are, what they want to do, and generally their life in general? How judgmental you are, you little cunt!
carlyroth10's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This book was a feel super sad and depressed-feel good book. It was a easy and quick read and had humor in the right places. I didn’t like the writing style all that much but the story made up for that. I want a Finn and that is that.
This book was a feel super sad and depressed-feel good book. It was a easy and quick read and had humor in the right places. I didn’t like the writing style all that much but the story made up for that. I want a Finn and that is that.
lindsaysofia_25's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a fantastic novel! I was absolutely engrossed from the first sentence. I love the writing style and the plot itself. This book gave me so much to think about and made me feel every emotion under the sun. There was so much to love about every character and yet I also disagreed with them and even hated them at times. That complexity was what made everything feel so heart wrenching but also so realistic. I cried a lot reading this novel but I also laughed out loud at times and felt unbelievably seen. I love nothing more than the depth of emotion fantastic writing can make me feel, and that's exactly what I got from this novel!
inesrajala's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A good book. I really liked the characters and the way the book were written.
fhawkeswood's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book as it bought a new meaning to the genre of 'young adult fiction'. A lot of books like this are brilliant yet lack a sense of realism. The story is fantastic and I thought the ending was perfect as it wasn't as tragic as other books of the same genre (aka: The Fault in Our Stars). I definitely recommend you read this book as I think it's an absolute gem.
kellymc03's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Could not put this book down. A teenager dealing with a father with PTSD - this was a great read!
sofiadarcie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75