A review by alexamp4
Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was a middle school fave. I remember finding it extremely hot and romantic and like aspirational (in the way twilight is aspirational). But wow it’s pretty racist. And ableist maybe? Lots of Latino stereotypes. Alex’s ex girlfriend, Carmen, is especially a poorly written character. I find it interesting the author thanked some Latino studies students/professors in her acknowledgements when I feel like she did a really bad job not just in overall representation but in writing dialogue in Spanish. I’m not a Spanish speaker but I think the line, “ ‘She might be a mamacita but she ain’t got nothing on this hombre.’” Is bad in any language. The dialogue in general was pretty bad.
I also think using Brittany’s disabled sister as a plot device to show how “bad” her home life actually is is pretty ableist. Although I will say I think the way Brittany and Shelly’s relationship was portrayed was a pretty good example. The choice to have Shelly choose to move to a “facility” is an interesting one that I’m not qualified enough to deem problematic or not.
Overall, this book has pretty shitty writing and I can’t even give it a good rating for what it is because of how racist it is. I’m interested to look up this author’s work now and see if she’s improved her representation at all. Although I definitely still see the appeal it had for tweens at the time but I think tweens now are too woke for this.
I also think using Brittany’s disabled sister as a plot device to show how “bad” her home life actually is is pretty ableist. Although I will say I think the way Brittany and Shelly’s relationship was portrayed was a pretty good example. The choice to have Shelly choose to move to a “facility” is an interesting one that I’m not qualified enough to deem problematic or not.
Overall, this book has pretty shitty writing and I can’t even give it a good rating for what it is because of how racist it is. I’m interested to look up this author’s work now and see if she’s improved her representation at all. Although I definitely still see the appeal it had for tweens at the time but I think tweens now are too woke for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Ableism