Willow

Jan 24, 2012

Heather rated it

Shelves: 2010, ya

I took my time in reviewing Willow. I wanted to be certain of my thoughts on it’s content and the rating I gave to said content. Though the ending was satisfying, I can’t deny that for the majority of the book, I was angered, not at Willow, but at the author. Nonetheless, I talked myself out of giving Willow the three stars I felt the author deserved because it felt wrong to punish great characters. But after much thought, I have decided that Willow does indeed deserve a three star rating.
...moreI took my time in reviewing Willow. I wanted to be certain of my thoughts on it’s content and the rating I gave to said content. Though the ending was satisfying, I can’t deny that for the majority of the book, I was angered, not at Willow, but at the author. Nonetheless, I talked myself out of giving Willow the three stars I felt the author deserved because it felt wrong to punish great characters. But after much thought, I have decided that Willow does indeed deserve a three star rating.

Willow is a senior in a brand new high school. She keeps to herself, avoiding any and all contact with her former friends. The one person she wishes to remain close to is her brother, but after rendering them both parentless in a fateful car accident, Willow can’t bring herself to bridge the communication gap that seems to have befallen them. Willow is convinced that her brother blames her for their parent’s death and that his superficial treatment of her is due to that contemptuous blame. Willow doesn’t blame her brother for hating her. She hates herself. Worse, she envies her brother. Unlike her, he can unleash his grief, sobbing loudly to himself each night while he sits in their kitchen. Willow can’t bring herself to cry. Its as though she has forgotten how. Willow finds her release in the form of a razor. When the sharp steel meets her flesh, Willow can find strength to continue on in her pointless existence, that is until Guy, an intelligent, sensitive fellow senior grants her a potential lease on life.

There was some truly remarkable writing at work in Willow. Such vivid, honest description that I felt wretched for even considering giving it three stars. It somehow seems criminal to do so but…The author of this book is doing a terrible disservice to anyone who truly suffers from this illness or one similar.

***spoiler alert***

While it is wonderful that Willow finally seemingly gives up her cutting, I can’t help but think she never would have done so if it weren’t for Guy. That’s not how it should be. In fact, anyone struggling with an addiction or disease similar to the one that Willow faces within this book are advised by professionals not engage in romantic relationships until they have become self reliant in battling their disease. What would have happened to Willow had she not have had Guy? What will happen to Willow if their relationship were to fall apart? And how unfair is it to Guy to have the responsibility of Willow’s mental health fall on his shoulders? Contrary to popular opinion, I did not find their romance appealing, or even healthy for either party. And I’m sorry, it wasn’t at all realistic. No teenage guy would form a romantic attachment to anyone with Willow’s illness knowingly. The fact that she cuts is the first real thing Guy learns about Willow and yet he pursues her when, let’s face it, most would flee, as they should to be frank. All in all, I can’t help but feel that this author has done an extreme disservice to the issue of cutting as she did not address the healing aspect in a responsible light. Nor was the central relationship remotely realistic.
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Jul 25, 2010

Morgan F rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: own, 2000s, young-adult, ive-got-issues, read-2010, its-a-girl, characters-i-wanna-shoot, medium-sized, realistic

Everything changed on that rainy March night seven months ago. Willow's parents were tipsy and asked her to drive home, a decision that would cost them their lives. Ever since then, Willow has felt disconnected from the world. Her only reprieve is in mutilating her own body, one cut at a time. But everything changes when she meets Guy, the only one with whom she can possibly share her secret.

I did not like Willow. Not the book, the character. She was a whiny little biotch. I u...moreEverything changed on that rainy March night seven months ago. Willow's parents were tipsy and asked her to drive home, a decision that would cost them their lives. Ever since then, Willow has felt disconnected from the world. Her only reprieve is in mutilating her own body, one cut at a time. But everything changes when she meets Guy, the only one with whom she can possibly share her secret.

I did not like Willow. Not the book, the character. She was a whiny little biotch. I understand that I probably should pity her, her being responsible for her parents deaths and all, but she makes it so damn hard. It's not the cutting that makes her so unlikable. Even though I am not a cutter myself, I understand the concept and have friends who indulge in it. It's just her view of the world. She expected the whole damn universe to revolve around her. She whined about people being inconsiderate around her and about how no one "got her". But Willow was always wrong about others. She judged them before they could judge her. I didn't understand her logic most of the time. And I hate how she would always go "well, I killed my parents." You're not the only who has ever lost anyone, Willow. You are not the only person in the world who is grieving. I just wanted her to get over herself. Though admittedly, I did like her considerably more by the novel's end.

Based on the character of Willow alone, this book would have gotten two stars. Thankfully, the intense writing and topic made me really like it. The writing flowed really well, and its interesting how this book was in third person instead of the expected first person. Of course, cutting is an always disturbing, intriguing topic, as much as you wish that it wasn't.

And Guy might have been too perfect, but he was sweet and sensitive without being gay (glances at her copy of Shiver). But I felt sorry for the poor guy (hehe, pun). He was stuck with Willow. And I also liked David and all the literary references.

One more thing that didn't quite fly with me was the end. A spoiler is coming up, so AVERT YOUR EYES. Okay, so teenage sex. It happens a lot. A lot a lot. So why encourage it? "Guy, we need to sleep together because I'm sad." "Okay then." *they do it* "Okay, I'm all better." "Okay, then." Just a little bit of WTF.

Overall, parts of this book and others parts I didn't like at all (aka Willow). But it is a good book, no doubt about that. It has a powerful, intense theme that I'm sure teenagers (especially cutters looking to relate) will eat up.
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Sep 24, 2010

joє mo rated it

Shelves: 2010, fiction, death, complex-relationship-s, believable-boy-girl-relationship, reviews

[...] she's breathing shallowly. She watches as the blood springs from the cut she's making, but it doesn't change anything. Not this time. She swipes again, deeper. Now she feels pain, but will it be enough?

A few months ago, Willow lost her parents in a terrible car accident. Knowing that she was the one who drove the car makes it so much worse, because she has no one but herself to blame for the death of her father & mother. Now, she has to live with her older brother David & his f...more

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Apr 23, 2009

The Dreamer Reader rated it

Shelves: already-reviewed

Holy freaking (insert swear word here)!!

The Good: Be prepared for some serious fan-girl gushing! Also, this review in no way justifies how much I loved this book.

For a debut author, Julia has blown all the other authors, regardless if it's their first or not, WAY out of the water! Once I started Willow, I could not put it down. It's like Green Eggs and Ham. I read Willow when I sat on a stool, I read Willow lounging by the pool, I read Willow here and there, I read ...moreHoly freaking (insert swear word here)!!

The Good: Be prepared for some serious fan-girl gushing! Also, this review in no way justifies how much I loved this book.

For a debut author, Julia has blown all the other authors, regardless if it's their first or not, WAY out of the water! Once I started Willow, I could not put it down. It's like Green Eggs and Ham. I read Willow when I sat on a stool, I read Willow lounging by the pool, I read Willow here and there, I read Willow FREAKING EVERYWHERE.

Secondly, the cutting. Holy crap, I never expected it to be so haunting! As much as I am against cutting, I could see where Willow was coming from. It was a hard subject to write about, but Julia Hoban does it with such grace and elegance. She doesn't sugar-coat the issue, I think that was one of the reasons why Willow is so fresh in my mind. She gave us the truth and the way that she portrayed Willow's cutting, made me absolutely entranced in the story. Near the end, she tells about the first time she cut. And I swear, I gasped and got goosebumps.

The way Willow grieved was real. Fortunately for me, I have never lost a parent but, Willow had such a sense of reality about her. Sometimes, you want to smack her in the head and shout, "Why do you do this to yourself?!" but that urge is quickly smothered because Willow is just so darn likable!

The last sentence... wow. Yay for possibilities!

The Bad: I really cannot think of anything wrong with this book!

However, I do have a little complaint. I did not like Guy that much. I know I'll probably get shot for that, but he was just too perfect! It seemed that he no faults, whatsoever! Don't get me wrong, I ABSOLUTELY ADORE him! I just wished he had some faults like... he wore socks with his sandals or something. I think that would've made him more appealing and so much more human. Not to mention, Willow and him would be a slight more equal. I still love him, I just wish he wasn't so damn perfect!

Another complaint of mine is the ending. It was a good one... after I read a couple times. It sort of made me go, "Was that really it?" the first time.

Overall: Willow is a remarkable book that is moving and will leave an imprint on you for a long time. Honestly, Willow is one of the best books I've read all year. If you have not bought Willow, may the Gods of Literature guilt you into buying it!

Grade: A(less)

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Mar 15, 2009

Kristi (The Story Siren) added it

Shelves: own-arc, books-i-own, signed-arcs

I’m not even sure where to start this review. I’ve honestly written this review almost five times and haven’t been happy with what I’ve spit out. I’m not sure I can do this book justice. To say that it was spectacular would be an understatement. To say that I had a hard time putting it down, widely understated! Yet, why? Because in all seriousness, reading a story about a ‘cutter’ didn’t really appeal to me. I mean sure it sounded interesting, and I’ve read books about eating disorders, drugs, s...more

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Nov 06, 2011

Mesa (The Sagacity Quest) rated it

I’m going to say this outright: I loved this book! It was kind of slow in the beginning, but it picked up fast. This book was fascinating, so intense and sad. It is a great eye opener!

Willow blamed herself for her parents’ death because she was the one who was driving the car that got her parents killed. I felt bad for Willow because she started to cut herself to make her feel better, whenever she’s sad, instead of talking to her brother or anyone, she cut herself. When Guy found out...more

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Jul 01, 2011

1luvbooks rated it

Shelves: worst-books-ever, never-read-this-ever

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Okay. Everyone.....be prepared- this review will contain a VERY LONG RANT!!!!!!! Here goes. There are a million thousand things wrong with this book- so many, I could probably write a whole book called 'things' wrong with Willow. I know some people might have liked this book- and I don't want to offend anyone, so I'm just saying right now this is not a criticism of Willow fans, or the author, but of the book itself.
Problem # 1: Cliches!
I don't even know where to begin here: maybe wit...more

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Apr 15, 2010

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: books-with-a-message, 2010-reads

When I initially started Willow, I was reminded of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson -- but this story seemed much more "real" to me than the faux-fantasy feel which was sprinkled throughout the prose of Wintergirls. Julia Hoban is not a "fanciful" writer -- at least not with Willow -- but she knows how to use her words to cut past initial judgments and predispositions to attack at the heart of the reader. The cutting analogy is very apt, of course, because that is preci...moreWhen I initially started Willow, I was reminded of Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson -- but this story seemed much more "real" to me than the faux-fantasy feel which was sprinkled throughout the prose of Wintergirls. Julia Hoban is not a "fanciful" writer -- at least not with Willow -- but she knows how to use her words to cut past initial judgments and predispositions to attack at the heart of the reader. The cutting analogy is very apt, of course, because that is precisely what Hoban's heroine Willow does: she cuts. She is a cutter, marring her own flesh to numb the painful emotions she will not allow herself to feel.

While you may think, "Okay, I'm not going to read this because I don't agree with that" -- let me tell you right now that that reasoning is just the kind of closed-off communication that jumpstarted this heroine to cutting herself in the first place. Her parents both died in a car crash -- and Willow was the one driving. She is then left in the guardianship of an older brother who cannot bring himself to speak to her about what has transpired in her life to change it so drastically -- and, thus, feeling that she had no other outlet to turn towards, Willow begins her "unholy union" with the razor. This is a girl who is not meant to be judged but rather should be given a chance to be understood because there are so many girls (and, lest we forget, boys) who bear the weight of self-harm in today's society because -- for various reasons -- they feel that they have no other way of expressing their pain except on their own bodies. Lack of communication is the quickest way to send anyone down this path -- just as much as lack of empathy will make those who do harm themselves feel more alienated and obscured. (Ahem. Sorry, I like to rant.)

Willow, however, is lucky because she is not left alienated; rather, she is slowly enlightened throughout the course of this story because of one empathetic soul she happens to meet by chance: a boy named Guy (unfortunate name, in my opinion) who eventually finds out Willow's secret . . . and -- surprise, surprise -- decides to do anything he can to help her through her turmoil.

The "journey" itself is a bit rocky, of course. Yes, I was frustrated with Willow at multiple points in the story. (And, yes, I was doubty frustrated with her brother David.) Yes, there were times I thought, "Why don't you just give up on her already, Guy?" (Some may argue that Guy is "too perfect" -- but I would say, "What other type of person could/would have tried to help Willow?") Yes, there were times I had to put the book down and walk away (thus that is why it took me over a week to finish it since I kept leaving it and then coming back to it). But was it worth reading and following the journey? Oh, yes, it was.

Here's the nice thing about this book: Willow is a bit of an empty shell when we first meet her. Then, through her interactions with Guy, she becomes much more "human" in her words and feelings (or so I thought, anyway). I would never say that a female can only reach self-actualization through a male -- but, indeed, that was partly the case here. Willow had "lost" herself, but -- somehow, some way -- Guy began to help her "find" herself again. Hope somehow slowly begins to dawn again in Willow's life, and we're left to wonder, "Will it last?" (You'll need to read the book yourself to find out.)

(As far as writing goes -- I'm still iffy about the third-person present tense style. I think the book MIGHT have been better off as first-person past tense -- but that's just my opinion.)

Anyway -- this book gets four stars from me because it's just one of those books where the message and theme transcend the flaws. Definitely worth picking up.(less)

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Mar 23, 2010

Sammee (I Want to Read That) rated it

· review of another edition

Scarred was one of those books I had such high expectations for and it still managed to exceed them all. From the first page I found myself completely immersed in the story and didn’t want to stop reading until the end. Even 320 pages later I found myself disappointed that it had finished. I just loved everything about it and know it will be one of those books I read again and again.

Usually I prefer first person narrative so I was surprised when I got half way through this novel and ...moreScarred was one of those books I had such high expectations for and it still managed to exceed them all. From the first page I found myself completely immersed in the story and didn’t want to stop reading until the end. Even 320 pages later I found myself disappointed that it had finished. I just loved everything about it and know it will be one of those books I read again and again.

Usually I prefer first person narrative so I was surprised when I got half way through this novel and only just noticed it was written in third person. I think this is because will still get the whole story from Willow’s point of view and are privy to everything she is feeling. I loved how Julia Hoban created this character. Since the story is such a character driven piece it was essential that Willow felt real and this is where the book excels. I don’t think I have a read a book with character that felt more real. She came across with all her complexities and flaws - it was just amazing. The other characters were equally brilliant. Her brother’s grief was almost palpable and Guy was just such a lovable character who was so good and nice you could understand completely how he could be such a positive influence to Willow

The story is essentially about Willow's grief over the death of her parents and the fact that she was driving the car that killed them. Blaming herself and believing no one should forgive her, including her brother, she finds an outlet for her emotions. Self harm. Reading those scenes was just brutal. I think that is the best word to describe how I felt. I applaud Hoban for dealing with a subject that is still such a taboo and hopefully managing to throw light on it. It definitely opened my eyes.

There are some scenes that really stand out for me. A confrontation between Willow and her brother had me so overwhelmed I had to put the book down for a few minutes before I could read on - I was just so invested in the story and Willow’s journey it felt as if her pain was mine. There were also some incredibly sweet moments between Willow and Guy and I just loved their relationship.

Reading over what I have written it still feels as if I haven’t done the book the justice it deserves. It made me smile, cry, wish will all my heart that things could be different for Willow, just so many different emotions. It’s not just one of the best books I have read this year but one of the best I've ever read. Truly brilliant.
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May 31, 2011

Tracy rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: borrow, ebooks, young-adult

I think I have officially found the worst book I have ever read. This book was even worse than the dreadful Prescription for Romance. TARDIS should be grateful that I love her dearly and would never harm an expensive possession of mine, because if this had been a physical book, I would've been hurling it at the wall.

Now that I've officially raised (lowered?) expectations, let's get on to the actual review, shall we?

Willow is struggling to cope after the death of her paren...more

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Nov 08, 2011

Meitha rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Willow is a book my words fail to describe .In other words , no words can describe this book . Willow is more than a beautiful story with amazing characters and heart breaking and uplifting moments . it's more . i never thought that i would love this book so much . i never thought that i would be so effected .i never thought that it would go through and through me . i never thought that i would feel pain it self when pain cuts through the characters i love .i never thought i'd feel such joy whe...more

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Oct 20, 2011

Nicola rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: mental-health, library-books, young-adult, romance

You know it's bad when you can't work up much sympathy for a character who's just lost her parents.

I just couldn't bring myself to like Willow, no matter how hard I tried. I totally understand that she was going through a lot and struggling but I still don't think it's an excuse to act like nobody else's problems are real. Willow seemed to think that just because she'd gone through something awful, NOBODY else's feelings were valid. No problem other than Willow's was worth crying ab...more

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Jun 11, 2010

Adi (Reading in the Windowseat) rated it

Shelves: 2010-read-list, wishlist-read, class-young-adult, beta-heroes, beta-heroines, genre-romance

I'm not a person who goes for modern or problematic novels, but when I read a preview of this book about half a year ago, I decided I'd really like to make an exception and take it up.

Willow proved one of the deepest, most realistic books I've ever read. The heroine goes through so much undeserved anguish over her past that the reader's heart cannot help but go to her, and then there are the problems of her present - ever opressing, ever difficult to resolve. She finds herself isolated...more

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Nov 03, 2010

♫ נєηη - ѕσυℓ σƒ ѕσυη∂ ♫ rated it

Shelves: novel, books-that-i-gave-up-on-reading, covers-i-♥, horrible-books, stupid

This storyline sounds familiar...

Oh, I know what it is. It's the over-used, cliche story of "I accidentally killed my family when we were driving, and now no one understands me but this one unnaturally hot guy that I've fallen for."

Where have I not heard that?

{After reading review}

First off, just to keep a light mood: I was talking to my friend and she saw the book cover. She said, "Ooh, emo looking."

Laugh, folks. It's a joke....more

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May 17, 2009

Angela rated it

Shelves: 2009, pub-penguin, issues

Hmmm ... I don't know how to rate this book.

It about 17-year-old Willow who has turned to cutting herself to deal with the pain of her parents death -- in a car accident where she was the driver. So this isn't a light or entertaining book. It's hard to read in the same way that WINTERGIRLS (Laurie Halse Anderson) was, but I wasn't as compelled by it.

That's not to say that it wasn't well-written, because it was, and I would be curious to check out other books by this...more

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Oct 29, 2009

Nely rated it

On a stormy night, Willow takes the wheel and her whole life is forever changed. Both her parents are killed in the accident and Willow has to move in with her older brother, his wife and their young daughter. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders - she's emotionally overwrought, heavily grieving and feels guilt towards her part in the accident. To top it off, she also feels that her brother secretly blames her for their parents’ death and no longer loves her.

She find...moreOn a stormy night, Willow takes the wheel and her whole life is forever changed. Both her parents are killed in the accident and Willow has to move in with her older brother, his wife and their young daughter. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders - she's emotionally overwrought, heavily grieving and feels guilt towards her part in the accident. To top it off, she also feels that her brother secretly blames her for their parents’ death and no longer loves her.

She finds that the only way to relieve herself when her emotions just become too much is to "cut" herself with a razor. But she is eventually found out by a classmate named Guy. Although Guy promises not to tell on her - he also can't just walk away from her. Instead he tries to get closer to her to find out what leads a person to hurt themself in such a way and to try to help her out of the dark place she's in.

This is the first time that I read about "cutting" in such detail and although a bit on the descriptive side, it was not overdone or gory. On the other hand, Willow's pain is so real that you can actually understand why she would feel the urge to cut herself... even if you don't actually agree with it, you almost feel as if it is acceptable. It's as if her pain will consume her if she does not find an outlet to let it out. From the moment you start reading this book you become so emotionally attached to these characters (i.e. Willow; her brother, David; Guy) that you fly through the pages just to see what happens. If they can forgive each other? If they can forgive themselves?

The book is written in the third person, and I really commend Ms. Hoban for having written it this way. It somewhat gives you a detached feeling but at the same time you feel as if you are looking at Willow and Guy from above. Catching a glimpse into a painful part of a young woman's life.

This novel is not just about cutting - it is about love, hope and forgiveness. Although it touches on such a heavy subject, it is not overwhelming, instead it is told in a very unique and graceful voice.

Willow is a beautiful story, compellingly told and is by far one of the best YA novels I've read in quite some time. It is a very powerful piece that I highly recommend to older teens as well as adults. (less)

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Mar 17, 2009

Alea rated it

Shelves: read-for-review

Willow is a real, honest, and emotional book. From the moment you pick the book up, you are invested in Willow and her well-being. Not only is this story about grief and guilt, it is about love and never giving up. It's beautiful.

The characters in Willow are real people with complex emotions and personalities. So many books are just full of stereotypes but Willow is full of character's so lifelike it's hard to believe they aren't actual people. I also really love the world that the a...more

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Nov 26, 2011

Janina rated it

Shelves: sad-tear-jerkers

This book was about a girl name Willow who is dealing with the death of her parents and is living with her brother and his wife. Willow becomes a cutter. Not being able to deal with the emotions of her parents death.

I liked this book. I loved the way it was written. So much emotions from a young girl who has to deal with the death of her parents and on top of that dealing with issue of her staying in a new environment with her older brother, who barely speaks to her anymore. With all...more

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Feb 27, 2010

Tori rated it

Shelves: 2009, favorites, realistic-fiction, own

This book made me cry more than I would have liked. But in a good way. It was a new subject for me, I've read about suicide and eating disorders butting never cutting. I guess that pain is better than just thinking about your parents' death. I got a bit annoyed with the way it was written a few times, I don't know, it was weird. How at first they were happy then really mad, then all happy again. Maybe it was weird because the real problem wasn't between Willow and Guy, but Willows way of control...more

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Sep 28, 2011

melissa1lbr rated it

Shelves: young-adult

I really struggled with this book. And it wasn't because of the subject matter - cutting. Honestly, the writing was not engaging in any way. I found the way the teens talked was really stilted - and dated even. Willow in particular would jump from subject to subject in the oddest fashion. They would use words, like "genuflect" that I have never heard a teen use in everyday life. I didn't feel connected with any of the characters. The book is written in a very detached third pers...more

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Jan 06, 2012

Misty Baker rated it

“It’s so curious: one can resist tears and ‘behave’ very well in the hardest hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer… and everything collapses.” ~Colette

How true.

In life we deal with 2 types of pain, emotional and physical. Most of the time the two are mutually exclusive, however at times they are triggered by the other. ...more“It’s so curious: one can resist tears and ‘behave’ very well in the hardest hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer… and everything collapses.” ~Colette

How true.

In life we deal with 2 types of pain, emotional and physical. Most of the time the two are mutually exclusive, however at times they are triggered by the other. “Willow” by Julia Hoban is just one example of what happens when the inability to control your emotions leads to the compulsion to feel physical relief.

Willow talks to no one, she wears long sleeves regardless of the weather, and she is addicted to pain. Why? because she is a cutter. Unable to deal with the emotional responsibility of her parents sudden death (that she inadvertently caused) Willow does the only thing she can think…she abolishes her heartache with physical pain, but when a boy named Guy suddenly takes notice of her…and her arms, something snaps. Will Guy’s intense nature eventually help, or hinder Willow’s little problem? Will Willow ever understand the significance of crying, and if she finally does…will it be enough to stop her destructive behavior?

I know it can sometimes be confusing when I label devastating literature as beautiful… but that’s what it is. When a book has the ability to make you forget where you are, feel the pain, and love of its characters, and push the boundaries of what is acceptable conversation… it is no longer a book. It is art. Hoban created a story that was so overwhelming, that at times I felt as if I would explode from the on-slot of sensory overload. The skeletal plot of “Willow” was about love, grief, and understanding… but the lessons in between are what is important: acceptance, compassion, compulsion, redemption, and the ability to let go. There are several places through-out this novel in which you will hang your head in disbelief, unable to mentally comprehend what is actually happening, and even more moments in which you will find yourself shaking or crying. Let it happen… it’s what keeps you from becoming broken…it’s what keeps you from becoming Willow.

Now, I could write for days, pages of beautiful words to express what I felt for this book… the writing was breathtaking, the plot was wonderful, I fell in love with a damaged girl…but none of it would ever be enough. So it leaves me only one solution, you will just have to read if for yourself.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: YOU create your own paradise, and your own prison. (less)

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Dec 10, 2011

Emily rated it

I stumbled across this book in Barnes and Nobles, it was the only one and I decided to pick it up, boy am I glad I did! I found the characters to be very believable and realistic, unlike some characters in books the reactions of these characters were completely realistic and the type you'd expect. I feel like I could know some of these characters in my own life as well as some of their traits in my own personality. As soon as you learn about Willow you'll want to follow her story, I know I did, ...more

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Nov 19, 2011

Danielle Huebner rated it

Overall, this was a really good book. It's hard to find a book about suicidal/self-mutilating individuals that actually gets it 'right'. Most stories over dramatize the cause, over exaggerate the depression, and illogically make out the characters to be a) whiny individuals, or (b) harsh stereotypes. Willow was not one of these books. Willow got it 'right'.

What is self-mutilation? Ultimately, an addiction. It's a type of ecstasy that numbs you to the harsh pain of normal living and all...more

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Nov 09, 2011

Jess Brown rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 01, 2011

Samara rated it

I'm a little indifferent on what I feel like this book really deserves. Does it get a 3 star, or does it get a 4 star?
Let's start with what I liked and I'll just pick one in the end.
I applaud, yes APPLAUD Julia Hoban for tackling a subject like cutting. Long, dark road down hell is what this kind of illness is. There are so many ups and downs, so many ways that a person who cuts can become overwhelmed, so many risks, so many things to cover up. So Julia, give yourself a hand, you ...moreI'm a little indifferent on what I feel like this book really deserves. Does it get a 3 star, or does it get a 4 star?
Let's start with what I liked and I'll just pick one in the end.
I applaud, yes APPLAUD Julia Hoban for tackling a subject like cutting. Long, dark road down hell is what this kind of illness is. There are so many ups and downs, so many ways that a person who cuts can become overwhelmed, so many risks, so many things to cover up. So Julia, give yourself a hand, you deserve it. Within this subject she dives us so deep into Willow that we couldn't come back up for air if we wanted to. We learn her ins and outs and come to anticipate, but not in an over done way, what is about to make her tick, because we feel it to. That building of emotion, the paranoia, the sorrow, it pushes and pushes through each page until we understand that feeling of too full, of being about to burst. Great, great description in this book. It flows you along so wonderfully, it's nice to read that way again.
I also really enjoyed that all of our main characters are literary fans. I love the references, the quotes and the playful banter that stems from books and literature in this story, it's so refreshing to see. And this....is about where my likes stop.
Now, at this point, with this strong backing, I have to give the book 4 stars, but here's where it gets difficult. Because anyone who has read any of my other reviews knows that YA Novels are some of my favorite books, but also tend to hold this false pretense that I don't feel we should be shoving into the faces of young people. I think this idea that a love that's ever lasting, a boy who is absolutely perfect to the T and open ended sexual relationships with a person that you've barely known for 1-3 months, give or take depending on the story, are all terrible, TERRIBLE things that we should not be telling teens is ok, because todays parents, don't have the time to teach their teens otherwise. I think a writer has to be responsible in what they are putting in their books, because you never know what kind of things a teen is or isn't learning at home. I'm not the kind of person that's like "NO! Don't have sex when you're sixteen! Bad, bad, BAD!!!!" Because intercourse when done safely and with someone you truly love is a beautiful thing. But I don't think that sex in the way we have witnessed it in this book is a very good thing either. And that's my first dislike. Willow had 3 weeks to get her paper done, we witnessed that 3 weeks throughout this book. She met Guy at the beginning of that deadline. Not cool for young readers.
My next point. I have found VERY few books written in 3rd person that I have liked. There is a certain flow that needs to be followed and this book doesn't do it. I don't want to read Willows name in each paragraph that is written. If Willow is still being narrated, then just say 'She'. I get it, it's about Willow. No one else is around and we're still in her head, I don't need to hear her name again. I feel like we're reading the Life and Times of a Self-Obsessed Hollywood Starlet, really. However, the rest of this writing did flow beautifully. Until we get to dialog.
This is where I really want to crack off a star. The dialog in this book, is horrendous. I love the descriptiveness our characters have. I love Guy's one-liners. I love the little bit of wit and pun that is in this book. I HATE the dialog between Willow and Guy and Willow and David, and Willow and just about everyone she talks to. It seems like when other characters are interacting, the dialog is fine. But as soon as someone starts talking to Willow or vice-versa, everyones words are choppy, formal and forced. I feel like what is said is what we expect to be said and it's so formal it's nearly moth-eaten. Banter between two 17/18 year old kids wouldn't be that stiff and formal, no matter what they were trying to tip-toe around. I don't care how mature these kids are, it wouldn't happen. The dialog isn't realistic and it grated on my nerves. it's forced, it's like "This is what they SHOULD say, so they'll say it." Nothing fits with the characters, it's all wrong compared to how they are written.
I'm also a little peeved that Willow becomes so reliant on Guy and Guy seems so die-hard for Willow. I seriously, SERIOUSLY want to meet a guy like Guy, because I don't think one exists. This is another instance in which a writer need to say, "Is this something we can let a teen believe?" Because unless she is trying to write the book to guys to say "Hey, these girls might need your help, take some cues", it's not gonna happen. And we're naive to think otherwise. I'm not saying they aren't out there. I'm not saying that at some point in time a guy might fall in love with a girl even though she has these issues and that at that point he couldn't make his love replace her need to harm herself or that it couldn't bring her out of it, because it could really it could. But really? A week into knowing this girl, not even, he finds out she's a cutter and he comes back for more, and within weeks he has her wrapped around his pinkie finger, under his tanned body and totally reliant on him, again, not cool.
Overall, I liked the writing, hated the message to teens. I think it is a great subject that was headed in the right direction until it wasn't. I would have loved to have seen a series out of this. Let's meet Willow, let's give Willow and Guy a little more time before that need between the two of them rises, until Willow decides that Guy really can be her strength, before they lose their damn virginity to each other and long before everything is just ok for no real reason.
I think I'll leave it with 4 stars, simply because the good parts are done so well, and because it's such a hard subject to breech that the author really does deserve some extra credit.

And if I hear another person say something about "Teen phases" or "Puberty" I think I'm going to freak out, because any kind of self-harm in a teenager is not a phase or puberty, it's a call for help and should be taken seriously. They don't outgrow it, it only gets worse.(less)

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Sep 02, 2011

Krümelmonster rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My first reaction to the book was, wow, great! The story is really sad and I liked the writing style...
I do have experience with cutters and cutting, so it kinda touched a sore spot.
I think Guy was really trying to help Willow and I loved their bonding over books. That one scene where he kisses her scars was incredible touching.
The conflict between Willow and her brother was fitting, as was his reaction and his reasoning. Still, I longed for him to comfort his sister, to be...more

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Aug 29, 2011

Emily Simmerock rated it

I'm usually quite good with these reviews. I know what I want to say and how to convey it. Honestly, it's because the norm for me is reading a book, knowing how I feel about it, and being able to share that with fellow readers or could-be readers.
No so with Willow.
I had such a difficult time deciding on how I felt about this book. It isn't that it was a bad book. Far from it, actually. It was an amazing book. I picked it up and once I started, I was finished by the next morning. My i...moreI'm usually quite good with these reviews. I know what I want to say and how to convey it. Honestly, it's because the norm for me is reading a book, knowing how I feel about it, and being able to share that with fellow readers or could-be readers.
No so with Willow.
I had such a difficult time deciding on how I felt about this book. It isn't that it was a bad book. Far from it, actually. It was an amazing book. I picked it up and once I started, I was finished by the next morning. My issue with this book (though issue isn't really the right word, either)...my...personal dilemma with this book is that...well, I suppose it...unnerved me a little. No, not a little. A lot. It completely unsettled me. So unnerved was I that I frequently had to put the book down, pace a little, get some tea...anyone who has had an internal struggle with a book is probably familiar with the drill. There was something in the delivery of the story that just planted seeds of unrest, little time bombs, if you will, so that whenever something clicked later on...or say, whenever something else dramatic happened (e.g. hearing about the first time Willow cut, or, you know, just around the river bend where something else is most certainly waiting to utterly throw you), my mind basically explodes, and I'm left to collect myself once more.
This is by no means a bad book, however, it is not for the weak of heart...especially for those of us who have experienced anything like what Willow has experienced, or for those of us who have known and loved someone who deliberately hurts themselves to escape another kind of pain. A deeper pain. Pain on an emotional level. It's different from physical pain, and Julia Hoban does an exquisite job of showing us that. Excellent job, Miss Hoban, I have yet to build up the nerve to reread this book once more (because goodness, I can't tell you how many times I read it to get a better grasp of it). I'm sad to say that I know my review did not do it justice...simply because for me, the words were not there.(less)

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Jul 18, 2011

Outlined_ rated it

Shelves: self-harm, teenage-romance, coming-of-age

I wrote this sometimes back for a tumblr challenge and I'm just going to copy it here for a review...

I didn’t find this book too gripping or romantic and I didn’t even think the characterisation was ingenious, but I definitely wanted to read this book because it related to teenage depression. This book changed my views on self-harm and cutting. Or maybe not change, per say, but certainly made me think about it and form views on it. I sympathise with the genuine cutters - if someone i...more

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Jun 29, 2011

FABR Steph rated it

Shelves: young-adult, favorites

Willow is a 17-year old girl whose life has completely altered. Seven months prior, Willow is at the wheel of the car during a torrential rain storm. Her parents had been drinking at a party and felt safer with Willow driving. This turned out to be a fatal error when they were involved in a car accident and both parents are killed. Now Willow lives with her brother, his wife and infant daughter in a small apartment in a different town. She has shut down completely, repressing every positive...more

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Jun 26, 2011

Erika rated it

Recommends it for: Realistic/ Speak fans

Shelves: favorite-books, own

Review
What caught me about this book when I found it at the store was the teaser itself. I don't often read realistic fiction and this was one that caught my eye right away.

Characters:

Willow- Willow is the main character in the story. As the teaser tells you she was driving her parents home seven months ago when the car went out of control and she lost her parents. She moves in with her adult brother and his family and finds herself hiding her feelings from her family an...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Quotes from Willow	4	36	Feb 09, 2012 08:56am
Any other books like this one?	9	65	Feb 05, 2012 04:56pm
RE: books	1	7	Nov 12, 2011 08:02pm
Books	7	25	Sep 04, 2011 10:07pm
Willow or Scarred?	3	34	Aug 02, 2011 09:55am

title link	preview: Willow
avg rating	preview: Willow Goodreads rating: 3.99 (6070 ratings)
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