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7th out of 10 books
—
23 voters
The Perfect Cut
by
Julie Burtinshaw (Goodreads Author)
After the death of his tough, guitar-playing, much-loved sister, Michelle, Brian finds it increasingly difficult to care about anything. He doesn’t care about his parents. He doesn’t care about his friends. He doesn’t care about school. He just doesn’t care anymore. The only time Brian comes alive is in the few seconds it takes for the razor to slice through his skin. But...more
Paperback, 308 pages
Published
July 15th 2008
by Raincoast Books
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After the death of his older sister Michelle, Brian has difficulty coping and begins withdrawing from his parents, school, and his friends. His only solace comes with cutting. In the few seconds it takes for the razor to break the skin, he feels alive, and it’s only when he takes things one step too far, and another tragedy nearly occurs, that Brian is able to confront his feelings and to live without cutting. In her latest novel, author Julie Burtinshaw has created a raw and realistic look at c...more
The Perfect Cut is definitely not the kind of book you'll want to read if you want something for laughs- it's dark, edgy and focuses on a teen who's experiencing a tough time seemingly alone.
Almost a year ago, Brian's beloved sister Michelle died, leaving him to fend for himself against a cold father and a mother who has taken to drinking at night to ease the pain of losing her child. Brian doesn't care much about anything anymore- his once high grades are slipping, he's skipping school- and he'...more
Almost a year ago, Brian's beloved sister Michelle died, leaving him to fend for himself against a cold father and a mother who has taken to drinking at night to ease the pain of losing her child. Brian doesn't care much about anything anymore- his once high grades are slipping, he's skipping school- and he'...more
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Because of the subject matter of this book, it could have been very good, and it had a lot of potential. However, I don't think that it lived up to the potential of the story, and here is why...
From the beginning of the book, and through to the end, I always felt like it was designed more as an educational tool than as a story in itself. To me, it felt like the author said, "I want to write a book that will teach people about self injury" as opposed to "I want to write a book about a boy who cut...more
From the beginning of the book, and through to the end, I always felt like it was designed more as an educational tool than as a story in itself. To me, it felt like the author said, "I want to write a book that will teach people about self injury" as opposed to "I want to write a book about a boy who cut...more
I thought this would be a good book about self mutilation,
However it is not surprising, and I found it sort of dull.
BUT, I was determined to give it a chance, and not put it down
(as I do often)
And it DID get really interesting by the 17th chapter.
I actually really enjoyed the second half of the book.
Although I found some of it really repetitive and unnessesary.
Oh, and the father in this story REALLY PISSES ME OFF.
Like, really, I don't know anyone who's father is that big of a jerk or old fashion...more
However it is not surprising, and I found it sort of dull.
BUT, I was determined to give it a chance, and not put it down
(as I do often)
And it DID get really interesting by the 17th chapter.
I actually really enjoyed the second half of the book.
Although I found some of it really repetitive and unnessesary.
Oh, and the father in this story REALLY PISSES ME OFF.
Like, really, I don't know anyone who's father is that big of a jerk or old fashion...more
I have to say, I wasn't very into this book for the first 50 pages or so. But once I kept going, it was definitely a lot higher than my expectations. I've read a lot of books about self harm, and this one is definitely at the top of the list with Willow by Julia Hoban. I loved how Julie managed to put in words how so many young people can't put feelings into words. I feel like that would be a challenge to do, but I felt like it was executed very well in The Perfect Cut. If you're looking for a b...more
At first, I found the beginning to be very graphic... but in a powerful way - not an unecessary way. There was a little bit of suspense as to what made the main character hurt like he did. I think the booked touched on a lot of issues, perhaps so many that it was hard to get into any depth with any of them. I also felt that there were some storylines and concepts that were introduced in the book, but never really concluded or explained. OVerall, I felt that this book would be a good read for any...more
At times people you love leave forever and your left feeling alone and miserable. But others, you may thing fo not love you, are trying to save you from yourself. Bryan finds himself again after his sister's death. He stops cutting himself and discovers that his mother is a stong woman without his father at home. They learn to live with the memory of their lost loved one.
Bryan was a really fucked up boy. It might seem weird but i like reading about teenagers with fucked up lives. How it was written was lovely, and it can show how a self-harmers feels when he self-harms or even when he doesn't. "at least you can be in control of who hurts you." I found it extremely true. His depression was mesmerising, and how he pushes everyone away just made me sad, but at the same time, really captivated.
I loved this book. I've read it 5 times, and I never feel like I'll fall...more
I loved this book. I've read it 5 times, and I never feel like I'll fall...more
I loved it. It's very dark and deep. Very intamate. You feel like you are the character, like you are in a diffrent world. I learned alot about this social issue.
Amazing book. I love when people can write a book and you have a very clear picture in your head of what the person looks like. Great description.
I loved this book. It really sowed how people who self-harm themselves feel
It was okaay.
The cutting stuff creeped me out :/
The cutting stuff creeped me out :/
thought this book was really good, inspriring, but sad
Very inspiring.
depressing, yet amazing
This tragic story of Brian and Michelle who physically and psychologically hurt themselves may seem like a bunch of cliches, but the characters are so well-developed that it difficult to put this book down. This book is no longer in print so it is difficult to find a copy!
This book was good. Until i got to a certain part, like three quarters through, and I never really wanted to finish it. It was alright, I loved the main character.
Insightful and informative, but dark...
Another novel about suicidal teens...
May 24, 2013
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| . | 1 | 1 | 8 de May 12:01 | |
| Do you think this book is school appropriate? | 2 | 15 | 27 de Nov 16:23 |
Julie Burtinshaw was born in Vancouver, BC and has lived in many different cities and towns both inside and outside of Canada. She has been an avid reader since childhood and began to keep journals and diaries from the moment she could hold a pen in her hand.
Julie is an award-winning author of six books for young adults and teens. She wrote her first novel in 2000, and has been a full time writer...more
More about Julie Burtinshaw...
Julie is an award-winning author of six books for young adults and teens. She wrote her first novel in 2000, and has been a full time writer...more
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