Meghan's comments (member since Jan 21, 2008)

Meghan's comments from the Books I Want To Talk About group.

Kristen wrote: "I agree with all you points Meghan. I guess for me I just felt like Lee liked people while it was convenient...I mean she talked up Sin Jun and then when Sin Jun has shows some kind of "real" feel..."

I agree with you. I think I liked it better than a lot of my peers, but I didn't love the book. And I wanted to love this book going into it. Maybe that is why I feel great disappointment by it.

I actually thought the ending was the strongest written portion of the whole book. I wish that she had spent more time on it as I felt this is more who Lee is--a confused, naive, fearful girl--rather than this grumpy, cranky, antisocial person that people are perceiving.

Her relationship with Martha was interesting and I was glad for it. I think it helped balance her in some ways. The whole Cross situation was well-told but sad because I know far too many girls who've done the same thing and ended up feeling the same way. As much as I may not like what happened, I thought it actually was the "realest" part of the whole story.

But I think that's the single most bothersome thing about this book for me. It's not Lee. It's the author. She gives you bits and pieces of the future while she's telling you the story. Oh yeah, Sin Jun and I weren't close at Ault, but look at us in our 20s, we still hang out! And that Dave guy (the cook)...he was my jumping point for my relationship with Cross (i.e., there is going to be a relationship with Cross sometime in the near future).

It's annoying. I don't appreciate spoilers, especially ones that feel like the author is trying too hard to be "cool" about it. And if you're going to give a spoiler, then get to the spoiled part already. Seriously, when you write about something and it takes you over a 100 pages to get to it, I've lost interest.

And while yes, Lee SHOULD maybe react to situations "better", really, how should she act?

In the case of Sin Jun, what should she have done? She wasn't close friends with her. She hadn't roomed with her in over a year. Clara acted like she didn't want her around. She's already proven she's uncomfortable in unknown social situations.

Imagine your HR director coming to you and saying "you used to work in the same department with so-and-so 2 years ago and they just overdosed for no apparent reason. Could you please escort them to the hospital while we track down their family?" You may go because you were asked and because you feel obligated to go. You may think "yeah, I worked with them. I know they have a husband and two dogs because of the photos they keep on their desk. I know they like a bagel with their coffee on bagel Tuesday. But that's it. I didn't really hang out with them after work. Should so-and-so be going instead? They actually work with them now." But how much of yourself are you going to give someone you barely know? And are you a bad person because you chose not to stand by their side through the thick of things?

What I thought was interesting of Lee is that she REMAINED friends with Sin Jun well after college. I think that shows the kind of person she became rather than the one she was at Ault.

Well, I have about 100 pages left to go. And the more I read the more I am liking the book, although in the overall view of the book, it's leading me to the underwhelmed side.

I completely understand how an adult and a lot of teens don't like Lee. However, what I'm seeing in Lee, is a LOT of myself at her age. And what I'm seeing it really doesn't matter if you're middle class set in an upper class situation--a teen is a teen is a teen. And everything is amplified and self-centered and over-thought. But for those of you who really found her actions to be disturbing, I can only say that she really isn't that uncommon for someone who isn't as socially well-adjusted. While her reactions may be amped up a bit, that's what books do--exaggerate reality. (Her tone and use of language to her parents went a little far in comparison to her normal personality. But unfortunately, I've treated my parents just as shamefully out of embarassment and fear when I was her age. I never spoke to them using those words, but I used the tone and the facial expressions and had those mean thoughts.)

But it's actually the best part of the whole book. Unless you liked the ending.

OMG. That was actually funny now that I read the whole thing and not just Robbie's last statement.

This is the part that bugged me about this story. Part 1 was hard enough to get through. Then you get into a completely different style of writing. It was like, "wait, did I just pick up a new book and not realize it?"

I will say that I was similar to Lee in that it surprised me when people in high school would talk to me--people I normally wouldn't associate with but respected--it was weird to me that they would know who I was even though I knew who they were.

But her antisocial behavior seems more out of laziness rather than a need to be separate. It's like she subconsciously relishes in her loneliness.

But honestly, I think part of my problem is that I'm in my 30s reading about the experiences of a freshmen in high school. And while I like to think that I haven't reached "old fart" status quite yet, I do recognize I'm just not in that frame of mind any more.

And so while I enjoyed The Catcher in the Rye, I think partly it was because I read it in high school. I think I would feel differently had I read it for the first time now.

So Lee frustrates me a lot because at this stage in my life, I wouldn't make the choices she made (or didn't make). But looking back, I can understand from my own personal experiences why she did or didn't do what she did. But it doesn't stop me from feeling frustrated.

I just started reading this now. It's a little slow going because of all the negative reasons that people gave before. But I've reached the "mall" part where she gets her ears pierced and I rather enjoyed that scene.

My main problem is that I've read a lot of books on prep schools and it feels less "authentic" as others. I mean, Lee feels like she is going through "authentic" issues, it's the people and surrounding that seem "false". It feels like a middle class person writing about the rich and famous. And while I have nothing against the middle class (especially since I'm part of it), if I'm reading about the "upper" class, I'd like to read how it really is rather than how someone (who doesn't know) thinks it is.

I finally bought this book! I'm looking forward to reading it soon and then all of your comments.

This is the part that I really liked, and judging from the numerous comments here, I guess I'm the only one who thinks that. :)

Emily - I hear ya. I thought the ending was so different from the rest of the book and found it distracting.

Did you watch the movie version? I heard it was good, but that was from people who liked the book.

Meg, sorry to post so late. But thanks for posting! Looks like a good read and I'm looking forward to checking it out!

Thanks for the reviews. I have this movie but haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet. Looking forward to it.

Sarah - I saw this and thought, "how did I miss this comment" but then I looked at the date and was like "doh". I missed a lot. Glad you read the book though.

I know. I'm not sure why either. But thanks. I'll have to take a look at this.

Ed, I'm a bit late to this party. What book is being referenced? I only ask because my husband is associated with cruising so this may be interesting for me to read.

Well I'll take the Steelers over the Eagles, but come on!! I didn't get a chance to see the game, but I read all about it. Man-oh-man. I will give you that--it was pretty awesome.

Now that's an interesting thought--what would Stephen King be like in the Middle Ages? heh Instead of a car, he'd have to have a demon carriage. I think he'd actually fit in pretty well during the times. They were obsessed with demons and horror stories.

Oh Robbie...(shakes head sadly)...the Steelers?! (haha)

Answer to spoiler:







Yes.