In one of the most impressive debut novels ever written by a teenager, Shut the Door, says the New York Post, is "a raw and disturbi...
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Nov 13, 2008
Hannah
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It's sort of difficult for me to review this book since the author wrote it when she was 14-16 years old. That said, Marquit is a very good writer, and I did find the concept of the story interesting. It is basically told from 4 different perspectives: a crazy, devoted and needy wife; a husband trying to escape the monotony of his life and wife; and their two daughters, one who is a goody-two-shoes prude and the other a "troublemaker." However, as the story and the characters lives unr
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Feb 02, 2012
Donna
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I liked "Shut the Door" by the 16 year old Amanda Marquit. She has amazing talent. She sets up a dysfunctional family who does not communicate with each oher ---- the mom (Beatrice), who adores her husband so much that she smothers him, her husband Harry, who has gone to Cleveland on a once in a lifetime business trip, who meets up with a hooker named Chloe and falls in love, daughter Lillian, the wild child who finally falls in love with Paul, and cuts his name on her arm (and he th
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Apr 30, 2010
rachel
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As a teenager, I wasn't a critical reader. I was a voracious reader then to be sure, but I read primarily for the fun of it, to be scandalized by sex and violence and maybe once in a while for the rush of being scared.
I bought Shut the Door when it first came out in 2006, compelled by the dystopic suburban similarities to American Beauty and curious if a girl four years younger than me could pull such a thing off. An aspiring writer myself, churning out crap with dedication up thr More...
I bought Shut the Door when it first came out in 2006, compelled by the dystopic suburban similarities to American Beauty and curious if a girl four years younger than me could pull such a thing off. An aspiring writer myself, churning out crap with dedication up thr More...
Jan 23, 2009
Cindy
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I just didn't like this one at all. While I respect that the author began this book at age 14, I couldn't identify with any of the characters. The wife was so needy and idolized her husband, while not understanding what was going on under her own roof; the husband doesn't seem to care much about his wife, daughters, or his job; and the daughters... well, I suppose you could chalk their behavior up to rebellion.
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Apr 03, 2009
Tree
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I could have never written this book, especially at ages 14 to 16. I applaud the author's attempt at telling a story of a disfunctional family through all the member's eyes. She's amazingly perceptive in many ways.
Still, the book is a long, slow, soul killer. There's nothing the slightest bit upbeat about the whole story. And because of that, it's just not quite believable.
I think that once she outgrows this angst ridden part of her life, she'll be a great author.
Still, the book is a long, slow, soul killer. There's nothing the slightest bit upbeat about the whole story. And because of that, it's just not quite believable.
I think that once she outgrows this angst ridden part of her life, she'll be a great author.
Nov 18, 2009
Themattlondon
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This one is important for any young person, especially a high school student, who is a writer or wants to write.
Jan 19, 2012
Jason
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Pretty good book maybe not the best. But pretty dang good to have been written by someone before they were 18
Nov 24, 2008
Katie
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This book wasn't poorly written, but it lacked substance. It was a typical coming of age story. The ending was abrupt and disappointing.
Jul 04, 2009
KJ
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Story about four family members. You read one chapter about each of the four people and the rest of the book is basically that same chapter repeated.
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Mar 19, 2008
Denay
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This book was incredibly boring at first, and the only parts of the book i wanted to read about were from the two teenage sisters. but as the book dragged along i became more intamate with the mother and the father, and thier stories bacame mor einteresting.
by the end of the book i was very intwined with the characters. Good book.
by the end of the book i was very intwined with the characters. Good book.
May 26, 2010
Amanda
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I was amazed that this book was written by a 16 year old. It was interesting to take a look into a normal/disfunctional family...2 teenage sisters and their parents. They're a family that acts likes strangers. I liked it, but the ending could have been better.
May 31, 2008
Akia
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Great book, I think I understand more of the current teenage generation because of this book, however, I did not like the ending. I think this does address the issues of
Nov 16, 2008
Found at Half-Price books. I haven't been brave enough to start it yet...
Nov 06, 2009
Vanessa
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Honestly, this book upset me a little. It's not very good. But that's not the part that upset me. What bothers me is that the only thing the publishing company had going for it with this novel was marketing the fact that a 14-year-old wrote it. And yeah, I'll give her some credit for 1) even attempting a novel, and 2) finishing a novel.
But, Christ, did any editor actually read this? Because, if they did, I'm pretty sure they would have seen numerous glaring problems, the biggest of More...
But, Christ, did any editor actually read this? Because, if they did, I'm pretty sure they would have seen numerous glaring problems, the biggest of More...
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