Kaylee's review of Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell
SPOILER AHEAD but it deserves it. I was intrigued by this book because the main character spends most of it in Southeast Asia, and that looked worth reading. I was immediately put off in the first or second chapter when Vassar describes her dad as "Poor Dad, not only is he adopted but..." as if being adopted is some awful state and one should be ashamed of it. Vassar is then sent to Southeast Asia because her "grandmother" blackmails her parents into allowing it, thus introducing a Big Secret. At this point I got very suspicious, skimmed ahead, and yes, the Big Secret is that Vassar herself was adopted.
This is unforgivable in a 21st century contemporary novel. The tired old plot twist of a teen discovering she was adopted and that it was a secret her entire life just doesn't fly anymore. It is offensive and unoriginal. Adoption is not shameful, it is not to be kept secret, and this book is not worth reading.
This is unforgivable in a 21st century contemporary novel. The tired old plot twist of a teen discovering she was adopted and that it was a secret her entire life just doesn't fly anymore. It is offensive and unoriginal. Adoption is not shameful, it is not to be kept secret, and this book is not worth reading.
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