mymy522's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Great book to get away from the stern self help books!!
marymanor's review against another edition
4.0
I cried most of the time I was reading this book. But in a good way.
msvenner's review against another edition
5.0
Another gift from my new favorite YA writer. Bun is like no other character and I just want to move in with her adoptive family. Please write more Heather Smith!
ani_a_1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Bun is autistic coded to me. Doesn't understand jokes. Doesn't lie. Is very honest. Has a niche way of explaining things.
The story is dark with topics of child abuse and suicide as well as sexual assault.
A group of young adults especially busking boy take care of bun. She comes from a very abusive family of a mother who is obsessive order and a father who's not around. To a point where she doesn't even get her period anymore until she meets these people.
They have a lot of ups and downs. Alot of loss. Alot of scary moments. But I liked this found family. It was sad. But it was nice to see Bun to be cared for.
The story is dark with topics of child abuse and suicide as well as sexual assault.
A group of young adults especially busking boy take care of bun. She comes from a very abusive family of a mother who is obsessive order and a father who's not around. To a point where she doesn't even get her period anymore until she meets these people.
They have a lot of ups and downs. Alot of loss. Alot of scary moments. But I liked this found family. It was sad. But it was nice to see Bun to be cared for.
clauleesi's review against another edition
5.0
[b:The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|33381295|The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|Heather Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481665078l/33381295._SY75_.jpg|54123483] was a whirlwind of emotion - joy, nostalgia, wonder and heartache. I felt it all.
This book is about the young Bun O'Keefe, a girl who has grown up in mountains of trash with her abusive mother. And when Bun's mother tells her to leave, she does. Not knowing where she's heading, Bun stumbles upon a boy that takes her home and slowly but surely introduces her to his friends and life, while also teaching her what a family truly is.
[a:Heather Smith|7202112|Heather Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1543159000p2/7202112.jpg] writing style is so wonderful and raw and I won't do it any justice trying to explain it. It's very simple and often reminded me of how [a:Patrick Ness|370361|Patrick Ness|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244216486p2/370361.jpg] wrote the masterpiece that is [b:The Knife of Never Letting Go|20758104|The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1)|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534503008l/20758104._SY75_.jpg|2124180] - and Bun O'Keefe was the perfect narrator for that kind of writing.
Oh, Bun. I just wanted to hug that poor, brilliant child. That little nest that [a: Smith|7202112|Heather Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1543159000p2/7202112.jpg] built in my heart, that is purely Bun. A child that had been mistreated her entire life, abandoned and chased out, alone except for her documentaries and book. A child so unfamiliar with love that when it hit, it confused her, but that still manages to spread so much love around her.
But it would be unfair to only write about Bun. Every character in this was amazing - Basker Boy, who saved Bun and who himself got saved by her in return. Big Eyes and her trying to find acceptance, both from the rest of the world and herself. Chef, calm Chef that filled both Bun's heart and belly. And Chris/Cher, the wonderful, strong and clever queer man who was a drag queen and was told to "straighten up" by his parents. I loved them all. I wanted to take them in, hold their hands and thank them for the hope they gave me through the kindness they showed Bun and each other throughout this book. It sounds ridiculous, but it's books like [b:The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|33381295|The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|Heather Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481665078l/33381295._SY75_.jpg|54123483] that push me to become a better person. For kids like Bun.
I really don't understand why this book is so underrated. It's incredibly well-written, diverse (for example, Basker Boy is Aboriginal Canadian), will make you cry, make you laugh and never leave your heart. Read it.
This book is about the young Bun O'Keefe, a girl who has grown up in mountains of trash with her abusive mother. And when Bun's mother tells her to leave, she does. Not knowing where she's heading, Bun stumbles upon a boy that takes her home and slowly but surely introduces her to his friends and life, while also teaching her what a family truly is.
[a:Heather Smith|7202112|Heather Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1543159000p2/7202112.jpg] writing style is so wonderful and raw and I won't do it any justice trying to explain it. It's very simple and often reminded me of how [a:Patrick Ness|370361|Patrick Ness|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244216486p2/370361.jpg] wrote the masterpiece that is [b:The Knife of Never Letting Go|20758104|The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1)|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534503008l/20758104._SY75_.jpg|2124180] - and Bun O'Keefe was the perfect narrator for that kind of writing.
Oh, Bun. I just wanted to hug that poor, brilliant child. That little nest that [a: Smith|7202112|Heather Smith|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1543159000p2/7202112.jpg] built in my heart, that is purely Bun. A child that had been mistreated her entire life, abandoned and chased out, alone except for her documentaries and book. A child so unfamiliar with love that when it hit, it confused her, but that still manages to spread so much love around her.
But it would be unfair to only write about Bun. Every character in this was amazing - Basker Boy, who saved Bun and who himself got saved by her in return. Big Eyes and her trying to find acceptance, both from the rest of the world and herself. Chef, calm Chef that filled both Bun's heart and belly. And Chris/Cher, the wonderful, strong and clever queer man who was a drag queen and was told to "straighten up" by his parents. I loved them all. I wanted to take them in, hold their hands and thank them for the hope they gave me through the kindness they showed Bun and each other throughout this book. It sounds ridiculous, but it's books like [b:The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|33381295|The Agony of Bun O'Keefe|Heather Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1481665078l/33381295._SY75_.jpg|54123483] that push me to become a better person. For kids like Bun.
I really don't understand why this book is so underrated. It's incredibly well-written, diverse (for example, Basker Boy is Aboriginal Canadian), will make you cry, make you laugh and never leave your heart. Read it.
schwoomst's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
jennywithaz's review against another edition
5.0
YALSA #BFYA2019 nominee; read review here: http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2018/07/20/bfya2019-nominees-round-july-20-edition/
pretenditsacity's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
peyton_'s review against another edition
4.5
This is another great book by Heather Smith. There are so many emotions and feelings packed in this book. There are a lot of good characters and difficult topics address, but in a way that does not create a turn off. Bun has a really crappy up bringing, making her both naive and literal. Her found family in St. John's takes in her and helps her out. They are a great group of people, each with their own personality and story. Throughout the book we learn more about each characters in little moments of insight, so that by the end of the book we know each and every one of them. There are definitely several tear-jerking moments, but there are also happy moments to compliment the story as well. I will definitely be recommending this book to others. It is beautiful and poignant and I am so glad that I finally went back to check out Heather Smith again.
totallynotanerd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
STOPP I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS TO BE SO DEVASTATINGLY SAD 😭