kerryppayne's review against another edition
2.0
May Contain Spoilers
"Her Game Face would have to stay put. It is every girl for herself."
At the start of every year, a list circulates the school naming two girls from each year either the prettiest, or the ugliest in their year. A story about how each girl that finds themselves on the list that year struggles with it and their life following it.
I was excited for this book, it promised so much; drama, some powerful message about how appearance doesn't mean as much as who you are, mental health issues. And I have to say I am a little disappointed.
The one thing I enjoyed about the book was the mystery of who created the list; but found that this was sort of dumped in near the end in an attempt to satisfy our curiousity; and while it was surprising, I also found that I didn't really care because of how little it was addressed in the book. It also did represent eating disorders pretty well, although maybe not in as much depth as I would have liked to see, I would have liked more character development, something more from this particular character.
Overall, I felt like nothing really happened, it was just one day in the life of a girl on the list after another and there was no plot development; or in fact a plot beyond the blurb. It was a good easy read that didn't require much more than being able to keep up with which girl was which, that might have been more enjoyable if that was what was promised.
"Her Game Face would have to stay put. It is every girl for herself."
At the start of every year, a list circulates the school naming two girls from each year either the prettiest, or the ugliest in their year. A story about how each girl that finds themselves on the list that year struggles with it and their life following it.
I was excited for this book, it promised so much; drama, some powerful message about how appearance doesn't mean as much as who you are, mental health issues. And I have to say I am a little disappointed.
The one thing I enjoyed about the book was the mystery of who created the list; but found that this was sort of dumped in near the end in an attempt to satisfy our curiousity; and while it was surprising, I also found that I didn't really care because of how little it was addressed in the book. It also did represent eating disorders pretty well, although maybe not in as much depth as I would have liked to see, I would have liked more character development, something more from this particular character.
Overall, I felt like nothing really happened, it was just one day in the life of a girl on the list after another and there was no plot development; or in fact a plot beyond the blurb. It was a good easy read that didn't require much more than being able to keep up with which girl was which, that might have been more enjoyable if that was what was promised.
alopez26's review against another edition
5.0
It's crazy how one little list with your name and two categories on it can change the lives of 8 girls. This book was hard for me to put down, but I also Had to at some point. I found myself reading through the tears, but ultimately I loved this book.
eli_seha's review against another edition
2.0
3.5
Bridget never solves her eating disorder and Jennifer ends up a jerk.
Bridget never solves her eating disorder and Jennifer ends up a jerk.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
I was completely impressed by this book. Before I read it, I heard Vivian on Sara Zarr's podcast, THIS CREATIVE LIFE, and she talked about THE LIST and how difficult and rewarding it was to write. I can definitely see how hard this book would've been to craft--eight main characters, each with their own stories and motivations and needs and fears. I'm not usually a fan of third person, multiple POV, but I think Vivian executed it perfectly in this book. I felt invested in all eight and never felt a twinge of disappointment when one person's chapter ended and another's began, although my favorite was probably Danielle. This book was also complicated in that it showed so many different ways to see beauty and ugliness, inside and out, buried and salient, feared and coveted. A poignant, bittersweet commentary on the culture of beauty.
jennamirchin's review against another edition
5.0
one of my favorites. easy to read, characters are very interesting, story is compelling.
samchelsey's review against another edition
4.0
i really enjoyed the list. it was nice being able to see the viewpoint of all the females on the list and how they all handled it differently. i do wish tho that the ending would have been prolonged so that the reader could see the outcome of the aftermath of the homecoming dance and what happened to the person who created the list. i feel it ended too quickly and would have liked a few more chapters.
emmalouiseee5659's review against another edition
3.0
A book from 8 different point of views that didn’t manage to confuse me? A win