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Smashed
Friendship, loyalties and values are thrown into confusion by a rape in this gritty YA novel.
Smashed tells the story of three teenage friends, and how their friendship, loyalties and values are thrown into confusion when the main character’s younger sister is raped by one of his best friends. His reaction sets in motion a “ripple effect”, which culminates in a violent act of revenge upon the rapist.
Has our hero done this? As he finds himself deep in trouble and confused about the truth, he is forced to the vital are we really just puppets controlled by our genes, or do we have the free will to rewrite our own destiny?
Smashed is a cautionary tale about growing up — of the huge and complex challenges today’s young people face in their lives. Told with humour and compassion it is also, ultimately, a story of courage, love and redemption. Smashed tackles gritty teenage issues such as alcohol, physical and sexual abuse, and anger but award-winning author Mandy Hager delivers it with a sense of humour and great sensitivity. It is a thoughtful, pacy read — one that's hard to put down.
Smashed tells the story of three teenage friends, and how their friendship, loyalties and values are thrown into confusion when the main character’s younger sister is raped by one of his best friends. His reaction sets in motion a “ripple effect”, which culminates in a violent act of revenge upon the rapist.
Has our hero done this? As he finds himself deep in trouble and confused about the truth, he is forced to the vital are we really just puppets controlled by our genes, or do we have the free will to rewrite our own destiny?
Smashed is a cautionary tale about growing up — of the huge and complex challenges today’s young people face in their lives. Told with humour and compassion it is also, ultimately, a story of courage, love and redemption. Smashed tackles gritty teenage issues such as alcohol, physical and sexual abuse, and anger but award-winning author Mandy Hager delivers it with a sense of humour and great sensitivity. It is a thoughtful, pacy read — one that's hard to put down.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
1 person is currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Hager
26 books74 followersMandy Hager is a multi-award winning writer of fiction, most often for young adults. She has won the LIANZA Book Awards for Young Adult fiction 3 times (‘Smashed’ 2008, ‘The Nature of Ash’ 2013, ‘Dear Vincent’ 2014), the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards for YA fiction (‘The Crossing’ 2010), an Honour Award in the 1996 AIM Children’s Book Awards (‘Tom’s Story’), Golden Wings Excellence Award (‘Juno Lucina,’ 2002), Golden Wings Award (‘Run For The Trees’, 2003) and Five Notable Book Awards.
She has also been awarded the 2012 Beatson Fellowship, the 2014 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the 2015 Waikato University Writer in Residence.
In 2015 her novel ‘Singing Home the Whale’ was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, and the Best Young Adult fiction Award from the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It has also been named a 2016 IBBY Honour Book, an international award. Her historical novel for adults, titled ‘Heloise’, was long-listed for the Ockham Book Awards.
She is a trained teacher, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Whitireia) and an MA in Creative Writing for Victoria University. She also writes adult fiction, short stories, non-fiction, educational resources, blogs and articles, and currently tutors the Novel Course for Whitireia’s Creative Writing Programme.
She has also been awarded the 2012 Beatson Fellowship, the 2014 Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship and the 2015 Waikato University Writer in Residence.
In 2015 her novel ‘Singing Home the Whale’ was awarded the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award, and the Best Young Adult fiction Award from the NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. It has also been named a 2016 IBBY Honour Book, an international award. Her historical novel for adults, titled ‘Heloise’, was long-listed for the Ockham Book Awards.
She is a trained teacher, with an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts (Whitireia) and an MA in Creative Writing for Victoria University. She also writes adult fiction, short stories, non-fiction, educational resources, blogs and articles, and currently tutors the Novel Course for Whitireia’s Creative Writing Programme.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 18, 2007
The short review is... it's about the consequences of getting smashed (drunk). The longer review is... while getting smashed and trying it on with the girl of his dreams, the main character's younger sister is raped by his best mate. His search for revenge is stuffed up when the culprit ends up in hospital in a coma. The hero was so drunk he doesn't remember whether it was him or not.
August 10, 2014
Toby is small for his age, Asian and thinks he’s just a brainy geek. His mates are the opposite - Don, with the dysfunctional family and Carl with ADHD constantly causing havoc.
When they all go to a party with Toby’s 14yr old sister Rita in tow, their lives change forever.
A popular, gorgeous, girl from school tempts Toby away from the party. He can’t believe it. Before leaving he asks Don to look out for Rita and make sure she gets home ok. But he finds out the truth about the party the next morning....
This story was brilliant. Believable, fast paced, didn’t want to put down stuff. Excellent writing throughout. Mandy Hager doesn't pull her punches with her stories. This is definitely only for teens.
When they all go to a party with Toby’s 14yr old sister Rita in tow, their lives change forever.
A popular, gorgeous, girl from school tempts Toby away from the party. He can’t believe it. Before leaving he asks Don to look out for Rita and make sure she gets home ok. But he finds out the truth about the party the next morning....
This story was brilliant. Believable, fast paced, didn’t want to put down stuff. Excellent writing throughout. Mandy Hager doesn't pull her punches with her stories. This is definitely only for teens.
November 10, 2009
A very insightful and realistic portrayal of rape from the victim's brother's point of view. Told with tasteful wit, sensitivity, a cast of characters who have a point, a plot which stems from the original conflict.
Recommended for Laurie Halse Anderson and John Marsden fans.
Recommended for Laurie Halse Anderson and John Marsden fans.
February 11, 2017
Originally wasn't that keen to read this as my English teacher forced it upon us. Was pleasantly surprised to find I was enjoying it immensely and couldn't put it down. It's a decently dark book with cynical parts to it and deals with problems that aren't written about as much. I enjoyed the fact that the author addressed these problems from mental disorders, to growing up and more. All together I found it a nice quick read and enjoyed it :)
September 26, 2013
I decided to read this novel because I needed to read a book by a New Zealand author and this was the first one I spotted in the library.
'Smashed,' fulfills the category 'a book written by a New Zealand author. To be honest, I have prejudice against NZ authors. In general, I admit that I simply don't think their writing is that great. And for me, this novel did nothing whatsoever to prove my stereotypes wrong. Although it wasn't terrible, this was not an enjoyable or captivating read in any way.
No quotes stood out for me at all. I could not pick out a single inspirational or meaningful sentence. Obviously I did not enjoy reading Mandy Hager's work!
This novel taught me something outside the lines, something completely different from the others. I know this isn't exactly the lesson I should have learned, but this novel taught me that if you don't like a book, put it down. Don't waste time on it. I did not like that novel one bit, and I spent the whole time waiting for a spectacular ending that never came. So the moral of this story for me, was don't make yourself read something if you don't like it, because the whole point of reading is for pleasure.
An interesting character was Toby's dad, who seemed like a very wise, understanding old man. He was not a very important character in the storyline, but I thought him, although stern, to be a lovely, kind person. A polar opposite of his wife.
'Smashed,' fulfills the category 'a book written by a New Zealand author. To be honest, I have prejudice against NZ authors. In general, I admit that I simply don't think their writing is that great. And for me, this novel did nothing whatsoever to prove my stereotypes wrong. Although it wasn't terrible, this was not an enjoyable or captivating read in any way.
No quotes stood out for me at all. I could not pick out a single inspirational or meaningful sentence. Obviously I did not enjoy reading Mandy Hager's work!
This novel taught me something outside the lines, something completely different from the others. I know this isn't exactly the lesson I should have learned, but this novel taught me that if you don't like a book, put it down. Don't waste time on it. I did not like that novel one bit, and I spent the whole time waiting for a spectacular ending that never came. So the moral of this story for me, was don't make yourself read something if you don't like it, because the whole point of reading is for pleasure.
An interesting character was Toby's dad, who seemed like a very wise, understanding old man. He was not a very important character in the storyline, but I thought him, although stern, to be a lovely, kind person. A polar opposite of his wife.
November 17, 2007
This is one of the view books that I've read that started bad, and just kept getting worse. But in a good way! Toby goes to a party with a couple of mates and his kid sister, and after a lot of alcohol and flirting with a girl things take a massive turn for the worst. Not a happy read, to be sure, but it does end positively, and the quick prose style kept me turning pages to find out 'who did it'.
The end has a few twists and turns, and doesn't let up until the last chapter. A great read and a local read at that!
The end has a few twists and turns, and doesn't let up until the last chapter. A great read and a local read at that!
December 19, 2012
Beautifully told story about a Chinese/New Zealand boy and his family and friendships.
Older themes include rape, assault, incest, underage drinking, dangerous driving and drug use.
A wonderful addition to any bookshelf that includes You against Me by Jenny Downham
Older themes include rape, assault, incest, underage drinking, dangerous driving and drug use.
A wonderful addition to any bookshelf that includes You against Me by Jenny Downham
February 11, 2013
Vernacular realism, from a New Zealand writer. Unsatisfying ending. I read this one because Kate's teacher assigned it; good jumping off point for conversation with teens re: drug/alcohol use, rape, trust, ADHD, parenting styles.
July 15, 2015
I enjoyed this YA book. Hager has interesting characters and a complicated set of circumstances all making up a good story. Some of the medical stuff had me wondering...'really??' but ignoring that it's a great read for teens.
January 9, 2011
Love the book :)
One of my fav
One of my fav
June 8, 2011
Revenge
Rape
Dealing with family grief
Rape
Dealing with family grief
October 24, 2014
Well written, thoroughly enjoyed the characters and development of them in this book.
April 29, 2013
Hm, this was okay. A quick read. Pretty good I guess. Interesting.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews