When Property Of was published in 1977, Kirkus Reviews described it as “that precious commodity, the first novel of great p... read full description
reviews
Sep 03, 2010
Ksenia
rated it: 
This one took me by surprise. I am a huge fan of Ms. Hoffman’s work, especially her young-adult work. I picked this up before my Paris trip, as one of my books for the whole “reading every adult fiction book you have not read on your bookshelves (but not on your floor or closets)” project that me and Ms. Narwhal Love and Lit have decided to do together. This was my second book (I failed in the first one).
It was such a different story from what I was used to with her other work, but a More...
It was such a different story from what I was used to with her other work, but a More...
Nov 17, 2010
Liza
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I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did. I've tried to convince myself I liked it; I've tried to convince myself I loved it. Honestly, I have really enjoyed everything I have read of Alice Hoffman's work so far. I am glad I read this book, and I did enjoy it, but a little over halfway through I was ready for it to end.
The characters were memorable. The themes were powerful. The circumstances were gritty and realistic. The story was moving, or it would have been if it we
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Apr 05, 2011
Kendra
rated it: 
Only Hoffman can make it so I empathize with a story about city gang warfare, drugs, and women so used and abused they are completely ambivalent.
Why am I working my way through every book she's ever written? See above.
"Property Of" was her very first novel, so it's a bit rough if you're accustomed to her current style. She wrote it while still in college.
As a result of this novel I've started researching addiction and its effects on the body/psyche. More...
Why am I working my way through every book she's ever written? See above.
"Property Of" was her very first novel, so it's a bit rough if you're accustomed to her current style. She wrote it while still in college.
As a result of this novel I've started researching addiction and its effects on the body/psyche. More...
Feb 22, 2010
Jacqueline
rated it:
This is Alice Hoffman's first novel, published in 1977. This novel reads like a debut, far more raw than any of her other books. Alice Hoffman has yet to find her own in descriptions and dialogue, but already she can create the fully faceted characters, the kind we can neither adore or hate completely.
Property Of is about a nameless female narrator who falls in love with the gang leader of The Orphans, McKay. The subsequent story is her struggle with love and identity. She does whate More...
Property Of is about a nameless female narrator who falls in love with the gang leader of The Orphans, McKay. The subsequent story is her struggle with love and identity. She does whate More...
May 29, 2008
Amanda
rated it:
This book was Alice Hoffman's first and, as her second one did, read like an early work. This is not a bad thing.
Upon beginning "Property Of" I felt like I was reading a darker version of "West Side Story." As the book progressed, elements of more disturbing stories emerged, like "Go Ask Alice," "Candy," and "Requiem for a Dream" (note: Hoffman wrote this book before at least two of the named items).
The Avenue is ran by More...
Upon beginning "Property Of" I felt like I was reading a darker version of "West Side Story." As the book progressed, elements of more disturbing stories emerged, like "Go Ask Alice," "Candy," and "Requiem for a Dream" (note: Hoffman wrote this book before at least two of the named items).
The Avenue is ran by More...
Jul 22, 2009
Joanie
rated it:
Read this after really liking "At Risk." This one almost falls into the YA category-maybe that's how it's categorized now I'm not sure. It's about a young "good girl" who starts dating the local, bad boy gang leader. All of her self worth winds up tied up in him and getting to wear his leather jacket. She gets in pretty deep with him, wanting to share all the darker sides of things including heroin use, with him. Pretty dark and heavy.
May 16, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
This book was as addictive as the heroin the main character, President of the Orphans, McKay, uses. This was a dark love story. Filled with the need to love and be loved. I had no idea what this story was about until I was 20 pages in and completely obsessed. Nothing about this story is pretty. Gritty and disturbing, at times, this story follows the entwined lives of a good girl gone bad and a bad boy gone worse. Something about the desire to get the bad boy...GREAT READ!
Sep 29, 2009
Heather
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I've read a couple other titles by Alice Hoffman, but this was by far my favorite. The characters felt the most real to me and she didn't get bogged down in her weird touchy-feely magic thing she does. Just a searing account of what it's like to be involved with a gang. Amazing.
Jan 11, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
This is Hoffman's first book, but I didn't read it until just recently. You can see that it's her first in that the writing style isn't polished, but you can also see that she has a grasp of characterization and topics that are worth reading about.
Jan 05, 2012
Christy
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This is the first book i read by Alice Hoffman and it was in high school. I even wrote a book report on it. All I remember is that the main character was brilliant and this book started me on the road to loving to read.
Jul 05, 2011
Jim
rated it:
A lonely outsider looking for somewhere to belong determinedly romances the brooding leader of the local bad boys gang. May be suitable as a teen read but not engaging enough for adults.
Jul 27, 2011
Lynette
rated it:
When this book debuted, I'd bet the writing was very innovative and extremely grim. In today's market, the story is still well-told and a bit dark, but its bite has been softened by time and its descretion gives it more of a dark, contemporary YA tone. Overall, a good book with a point teens and adults of every era very much need to remember: Life isn't always in your total control--no matter how much you think it is.
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Jul 09, 2009
Allison
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I just don't know what to say about this book. It was different, that's for sure. It's certainly not a happy read at any rate. Interesting look into a different lifestyle.
May 06, 2009
Winna
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Don't really like this. Have mixed feelings about the book. The characters are not even memorable enough.
Mar 29, 2011
Tanja
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Usually I really like Alice Hoffman. This book was a disappointment. Gave up after page 64.
Mar 11, 2011
Kaethe
rated it:
Not my favorite, but still a strong book from a writer who will go on to greater strength.
Feb 12, 2011
The Reading Cove
rated it:
20th: PROPERTY OF - Alice Hoffman
Trivia Winner - Melissa
~COVE OPINION: C, Okay story
Trivia Winner - Melissa
~COVE OPINION: C, Okay story
Jan 25, 2010
Jennifer
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Didn't really seem like an Alice Hoffman book... The magic seemed to be missing.
Apr 08, 2009
Louise
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Whoa, the things people will do when they're desperate for love! I didn't enjoy this Hoffman book as much as I have some of her others. But realize this was one of her earlier novels and you can see how her style and writing has matured over the years.
Sep 16, 2007
Cherie
rated it:
B- I LOVE Alice Hoffman, but this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't gain enough sympathy for the main character, which is important b/c she goes through an arduous journey that we cannot truly understand. The narrator actively pursues a gang member, and becomes a part of his life, not caring about his activities (inc his affairs) b/c she loves him..or...? It was really hard to get why she is so loyal to the Orphans and McKay and the gang, and I think it is because she has nothing else. She
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Jul 22, 2009
Marci
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Not my favorite book while I was reading it, but it has really stuck with me.
Feb 26, 2010
Maeghan
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This is the book I wish I'd read when I was in my 20's and going through my "bad boy" phase. "It was lonelier being with him than without him." Ouch. Some very poignant, and very pathetic moments in this book.
Oct 02, 2009
Courtney
rated it:
Re-reading. I read this about 13 years ago, and liked it then, now it is a little bit more traumatizing. Maybe I understand it more?
Sex, drugs, and violence by Alice Hoffman, its a strange mix.
Finished my re-read, and I have to say, my memory of this book is SO much tamer than the reality. I had almost no memory of the death and the heavy heavy drug use. Still, it is an engrossing story, when you don't want to hit the main character in the head to bring her More...
Sex, drugs, and violence by Alice Hoffman, its a strange mix.
Finished my re-read, and I have to say, my memory of this book is SO much tamer than the reality. I had almost no memory of the death and the heavy heavy drug use. Still, it is an engrossing story, when you don't want to hit the main character in the head to bring her More...
Jul 16, 2009
Margaret
rated it:
I plan on reading all of the Alice Hoffman this summer. Interesting buy not polished.
The only reason to read this book is if you like to read the author's entire body of work. Did not like the story but the project was ok for a first book.
The only reason to read this book is if you like to read the author's entire body of work. Did not like the story but the project was ok for a first book.
Mar 06, 2008
Jessica
rated it:
This is one Hoffman's early novels, and one I had just never gotten around to reading.
I found it to be much different in tone than a lot of her other work, and I found it really interesting to read something that seemed so "young" from her. I really enjoyed the story, but could have lived without some of the conventions she used to make the dialogue seem more "authentic."
I found it to be much different in tone than a lot of her other work, and I found it really interesting to read something that seemed so "young" from her. I really enjoyed the story, but could have lived without some of the conventions she used to make the dialogue seem more "authentic."
Jul 15, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
alice hoffman's first book, i think. very different from her others (its about gangs) and not as mystical, but i like what she did with it. i like that the main character has no name. i like that it's told in first person. and even though i did not understand the girl, she was very real. a little gritty, but sometimes you need that. dug it.
Apr 23, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
I had high expectations for this...critically acclaimed debut novel, lots of writer that I like (Jodi Picoult) love Alice Hoffman, other friends' comments...I gave it 50 pages last night and decided life is too short to read about people I don't care about.
I might give some of Hoffman's later works a try...
I might give some of Hoffman's later works a try...
