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The Absolute Value of -1
Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisisdivorce, abuse, and a parent's illness. Yet, as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they sliplike soap in a shower. Noah's got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well that Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.
296 pages, ebook
First published September 1, 2010
10 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Steve Brezenoff
105 books125 followersSteve Brezenoff is the author of the young adult novels The Absolute Value of -1 and Brooklyn, Burning, and his third, Guy In Real Life, will be released in 2014. He has also written dozens of chapter books for younger readers. Though Steve grew up in a suburb on Long Island, he now lives with his wife and their son in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 17, 2010
We all know that no two people are the same. Everyone deals with different situations, everyone has an image they want to project to others, and everyone deals with problems (be they big or small) at some point in their lives. Steve Brezenoff introduces us to Noah, Lily and Simon and gives us a taste of his take on relationships and what brings us together and the distance that is inevitably between us.
I've really become a fan of author's giving us multiple narrators and points of views. This book is broken into sections, each featuring one of the characters and giving us their story. Each section may seem like you'll be given the same version of the same story, but by hearing and seeing it through each respective character you really start to understand how there is more than one side to every story. It also becomes obvious that every little detail affects every individual differently.
Brezenoff doesn't give his readers fairy tales or sugar coated story lines. The issues he brought to the table are real and they're not all pleasant. Drug use, abuse, heart break and the like. Unfortunately these are also not subjects people are unfamiliar with. Readers will be able to relate in some way shape, or form and will be able to appreciate how Brezenoff wove his creation together.
I've really become a fan of author's giving us multiple narrators and points of views. This book is broken into sections, each featuring one of the characters and giving us their story. Each section may seem like you'll be given the same version of the same story, but by hearing and seeing it through each respective character you really start to understand how there is more than one side to every story. It also becomes obvious that every little detail affects every individual differently.
Brezenoff doesn't give his readers fairy tales or sugar coated story lines. The issues he brought to the table are real and they're not all pleasant. Drug use, abuse, heart break and the like. Unfortunately these are also not subjects people are unfamiliar with. Readers will be able to relate in some way shape, or form and will be able to appreciate how Brezenoff wove his creation together.
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July 18, 2018The Absolute Value of -1 pulls no punches.
The structure of the book is what initially appealed to me: three sections, each narrated by one of a trio of friends, primarily describing a series of events that defined their sophomore year of high school. (There are also two short passages by a fourth character that bookend the three main sections.) One of the most important lessons I learned in high school was that my truth wasn't necessarily the same truth experienced by even my closest friends, and I was reminded of that from the way this book works.
The book's strength is the three main characters. Brezenoff masterfully develops the voice and point of view of Lily, Noah, and Simon. Their individual voices are so strong, and I really felt like I was in the head of each. They're not particularly admirable, and they're not the sort of characters I'd want to hang out with myself, but they feel vibrant and real. Their mistakes, their ways of covering up their mistakes, their hurtful behavior, all feels real. There's no unnecessary drama here: the book's intense and dramatic, but it all springs from realistic characters, not any outward plot needs.
It's a tough read at times, because the characters are so flawed and in a lot of pain. As the title suggests, what (and who) we lack can be just as vital in our lives as what we have. And, man, that's a frustrating revelation. This isn't a feel-good read, but it's an unflinching read, which can be (and in this case, is) just as satisfying. If you need resolution, this book might not be for you, but I found that the story and the characters stayed in my head for days after I finished, and getting to think more deeply about them and what their futures might be like was an unexpected and rewarding side effect.
Steve Brezenoff's The Absolute Value of -1 will officially be released on September 1st, 2010, but I just checked in at Amazon, and it's already in stock!
Note: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
The structure of the book is what initially appealed to me: three sections, each narrated by one of a trio of friends, primarily describing a series of events that defined their sophomore year of high school. (There are also two short passages by a fourth character that bookend the three main sections.) One of the most important lessons I learned in high school was that my truth wasn't necessarily the same truth experienced by even my closest friends, and I was reminded of that from the way this book works.
The book's strength is the three main characters. Brezenoff masterfully develops the voice and point of view of Lily, Noah, and Simon. Their individual voices are so strong, and I really felt like I was in the head of each. They're not particularly admirable, and they're not the sort of characters I'd want to hang out with myself, but they feel vibrant and real. Their mistakes, their ways of covering up their mistakes, their hurtful behavior, all feels real. There's no unnecessary drama here: the book's intense and dramatic, but it all springs from realistic characters, not any outward plot needs.
It's a tough read at times, because the characters are so flawed and in a lot of pain. As the title suggests, what (and who) we lack can be just as vital in our lives as what we have. And, man, that's a frustrating revelation. This isn't a feel-good read, but it's an unflinching read, which can be (and in this case, is) just as satisfying. If you need resolution, this book might not be for you, but I found that the story and the characters stayed in my head for days after I finished, and getting to think more deeply about them and what their futures might be like was an unexpected and rewarding side effect.
Steve Brezenoff's The Absolute Value of -1 will officially be released on September 1st, 2010, but I just checked in at Amazon, and it's already in stock!
Note: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
November 29, 2010
Lily, Noah, and Simon are a dysfunctional group of friends. It's made even more awkward in that Lily likes Simon but Noah likes Lily. They have a very casual attitude towards smoking, school, and life in general.
Told from multiple view points throughout the story, it is difficult to figure out what's going on and who the characters are, especially at the beginning. While the characters do stand as individuals, none of them are very intersting.
Told from multiple view points throughout the story, it is difficult to figure out what's going on and who the characters are, especially at the beginning. While the characters do stand as individuals, none of them are very intersting.
August 22, 2010
I was really enjoying this book, despite the frequent math references. It was told from the separate viewpoints of three teens who form a tight group and the dynamics within them. However, two of the characters are just abandoned with no resolution of their many issues and impending changes. Totally unsatisfying!
October 23, 2010
Steve Brezenoff’s the Absolute Value of |-1| is an unapologetic look at the lives of three teenagers as they grow up. The voices are distinctive, the characters fully rounded and the story at times insightful, at others heartbreaking and funny.
I finished this book in one night. The prose is so clean, and carries just the right amount of emotional resonance.
But. I wouldn’t say I’m in LOVE with this book. I’m just kind of severely crushing on it (if my romance comparison here doesn’t help you to understand anything about how much I liked this book...understandable...the rest of the review explains).
Firstly, while the voices for all of the characters were well-developed, I did have the problem that I usually have with multi-POV novels: I liked some of the characters more than the others. In this case, I liked Noah far more than Lily, and Lily far more than Simon, and had very few feelings about Suzanne who has brief sections at the opening and closing of the novel.
I’m not sure why this is, because while Noah is fleshed out I’d say he’s the least original and fascinating character in this novel. Lily, the maths genius, is infinitely more interesting, when I think about it objectively. And Simon. Simon is like a train wreck – even though you don’t like it, you can’t look away.
So why did I like Noah more? I think it’s a matter of voice, in the end.
Despite connecting to Noah more than to Simon or Lily, I was still totally hooked while reading the other sections (like I said, read it in one night) because the characters were so rounded, and interesting.
I think the thing I loved most about The Absolute Value of |-1|, though, was the way it was so unapologetic about certain behaviours – namely, drug use, and smoking. So drugs, alcohol, cigarettes etc come up in YA all the time, but authors usually do this thing where any character who takes drugs winds up dead, addicted, in prison – well, you know, that kind of thing.
The Absolute Value of |-1| doesn’t do that. It doesn’t pretend that Simon, Lily and Noah are perfect, it doesn’t completely ‘normalise’ drug use, either, because the protagonists in this novel are seen as outsiders. And there are minor realistic consequences. For instance Simon’s ability to run (he’s on the track team) is severely hampered by his constant smoking, so he has to quit in order to participate in that aspect of his life.
So yeah, I really appreciated that about this book: the lack of moralising, the way it was able to go subtly go into taboo territory (not going to spoil it, but there’s a lot of really disturbing psychological stuff, in my opinion, in Simon’s point of view).
The Absolute Value of |-1| will probably be criticised by some for its structure. It doesn’t really have a plot – it basically just goes through the lives of the characters, these defining moments for them, and takes you on a journey through some very cool character arcs. Before you run away screaming, “PLOTLESS, PLOTLESS!” can I say that this book has emotional power? That that’s the point of any book – to tell you a story (not necessarily a linear one, where you’ll be able to say “X happened” afterwards, not necessarily to tie up all the loose ends), and to create emotion in you.
And Steve Brezenoff’s novel definitely does that – so I think the structure works. I think it’s slice of life fiction, without the level of mundane goings-on (there is some drama in this novel) that is usually implied by that word. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d like to see more YA slice of life narratives alongside their plot-possessing fellows. I like both kinds of books, depending on my mood, if they’re executed well.
So yeah, I actually really enjoyed the structure. And bring on the slice of life stories! While The Absolute Value of |-1| had some character-likeability issues for me, I still think it’s a wonderful, engaging and thought-provoking read.
Received courtesy of the publisher via netgalley.com
I finished this book in one night. The prose is so clean, and carries just the right amount of emotional resonance.
But. I wouldn’t say I’m in LOVE with this book. I’m just kind of severely crushing on it (if my romance comparison here doesn’t help you to understand anything about how much I liked this book...understandable...the rest of the review explains).
Firstly, while the voices for all of the characters were well-developed, I did have the problem that I usually have with multi-POV novels: I liked some of the characters more than the others. In this case, I liked Noah far more than Lily, and Lily far more than Simon, and had very few feelings about Suzanne who has brief sections at the opening and closing of the novel.
I’m not sure why this is, because while Noah is fleshed out I’d say he’s the least original and fascinating character in this novel. Lily, the maths genius, is infinitely more interesting, when I think about it objectively. And Simon. Simon is like a train wreck – even though you don’t like it, you can’t look away.
So why did I like Noah more? I think it’s a matter of voice, in the end.
Despite connecting to Noah more than to Simon or Lily, I was still totally hooked while reading the other sections (like I said, read it in one night) because the characters were so rounded, and interesting.
I think the thing I loved most about The Absolute Value of |-1|, though, was the way it was so unapologetic about certain behaviours – namely, drug use, and smoking. So drugs, alcohol, cigarettes etc come up in YA all the time, but authors usually do this thing where any character who takes drugs winds up dead, addicted, in prison – well, you know, that kind of thing.
The Absolute Value of |-1| doesn’t do that. It doesn’t pretend that Simon, Lily and Noah are perfect, it doesn’t completely ‘normalise’ drug use, either, because the protagonists in this novel are seen as outsiders. And there are minor realistic consequences. For instance Simon’s ability to run (he’s on the track team) is severely hampered by his constant smoking, so he has to quit in order to participate in that aspect of his life.
So yeah, I really appreciated that about this book: the lack of moralising, the way it was able to go subtly go into taboo territory (not going to spoil it, but there’s a lot of really disturbing psychological stuff, in my opinion, in Simon’s point of view).
The Absolute Value of |-1| will probably be criticised by some for its structure. It doesn’t really have a plot – it basically just goes through the lives of the characters, these defining moments for them, and takes you on a journey through some very cool character arcs. Before you run away screaming, “PLOTLESS, PLOTLESS!” can I say that this book has emotional power? That that’s the point of any book – to tell you a story (not necessarily a linear one, where you’ll be able to say “X happened” afterwards, not necessarily to tie up all the loose ends), and to create emotion in you.
And Steve Brezenoff’s novel definitely does that – so I think the structure works. I think it’s slice of life fiction, without the level of mundane goings-on (there is some drama in this novel) that is usually implied by that word. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d like to see more YA slice of life narratives alongside their plot-possessing fellows. I like both kinds of books, depending on my mood, if they’re executed well.
So yeah, I actually really enjoyed the structure. And bring on the slice of life stories! While The Absolute Value of |-1| had some character-likeability issues for me, I still think it’s a wonderful, engaging and thought-provoking read.
Received courtesy of the publisher via netgalley.com
July 28, 2015
Human nature insists we assign intention to the events in our lives. We assume we know why someone else does the things they do. And we make judgements about them because of the images we shape. But no matter how hard we try, or how much we believe, we can never really know someone else’s story. In The Absolute Value of -1, Brezenoff demonstrates how our minimalist perceptions can not only narrow our views, but can detrimentally impact others’ lives and relationships. How we influence and change the people around us. How every relationship changes the fabric of our being, even if we never recognize that it is happening. The remove between us, our people, and the truth.
I’m not a huge fan of the first person, multiple pov structure. It often feels confused, frenetic, and kind of shallow. Honestly, I relate this style with terrible YA romances. I much prefer my novels in the third person omniscient. That being said, when the first person switch is done well, it serves to highlight the depth of the novel. I think Brezenoff does it really well. We get each character’s story in a complete chunk. Lily’s version. Noah’s version. Simon’s version (I’m not sure how I feel about Suzanne’s part. I will ponder while I write this). Each story builds a little more on the one before until we finally have the mostly complete picture. From the outside, these three kids are easy to write off as stoner slackers. They seem like the type of kids that don’t care about anything – not their families, not their friends, definitely not school. But we don’t know their story. And the reviews I’ve read that still make those claims after they’ve finished the novel… I don’t know what those people were reading, or if their lives have just been exceptionally blessed, but I think they’ve missed something crucial. Each of these teens has something different, but so very similar, that drives their actions.
Based on the book blurb, I was a little uncertain going into this book. Although the blurb is direct quotes from the novel, it highlights the potential love triangle more than the evolution of self on the way from adolescence to the cusp of adulthood. The space between who we are and who we want to be. The deep inner turmoil that either forces us to grow or shuts us off entirely. How hard it can be to ever be certain of anything. Even when we think we have everything down.
Complete review at https://hellphiesfiendishfiction.word...
I’m not a huge fan of the first person, multiple pov structure. It often feels confused, frenetic, and kind of shallow. Honestly, I relate this style with terrible YA romances. I much prefer my novels in the third person omniscient. That being said, when the first person switch is done well, it serves to highlight the depth of the novel. I think Brezenoff does it really well. We get each character’s story in a complete chunk. Lily’s version. Noah’s version. Simon’s version (I’m not sure how I feel about Suzanne’s part. I will ponder while I write this). Each story builds a little more on the one before until we finally have the mostly complete picture. From the outside, these three kids are easy to write off as stoner slackers. They seem like the type of kids that don’t care about anything – not their families, not their friends, definitely not school. But we don’t know their story. And the reviews I’ve read that still make those claims after they’ve finished the novel… I don’t know what those people were reading, or if their lives have just been exceptionally blessed, but I think they’ve missed something crucial. Each of these teens has something different, but so very similar, that drives their actions.
Based on the book blurb, I was a little uncertain going into this book. Although the blurb is direct quotes from the novel, it highlights the potential love triangle more than the evolution of self on the way from adolescence to the cusp of adulthood. The space between who we are and who we want to be. The deep inner turmoil that either forces us to grow or shuts us off entirely. How hard it can be to ever be certain of anything. Even when we think we have everything down.
Complete review at https://hellphiesfiendishfiction.word...
September 21, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 is a dark and dreary book of hope, despair, love, loss, and wanting something so much it hurts. It's also funny at times and written in prose that leaves you breathless for more, as well as questioning what on earth is going to happen next. In other words, it's a pretty great book!
The Absolute Value of -1 tells the story of three teens who've been friends since middle school, but now with high school in the process it seems like their friendship is slipping right out of their hands. Lilly is part of the group; she's the math genesis and the girl who has truly been lost since her parents got divorced all those years ago. But it is okay because she has the swoon-worthy Simon and he'd never hurt her, right? Simon is the one dealing with problems at home that he can't even began to speak of, because that would only mean they are 100% true and he just can't have that. Noah is the one that completes the trio. Noah's father has never been dad of the year quality which has led Noah to go down several bad roads, but this time he's going to make everything right. He's going to Lilly to fall in love with him, for one, and he's going to make everything at home right...
All three of these characters are completely lost and alone, though with each other they find a part of themselves that shows them they can be somewhat normal even for a little while, and I liked that aspect of that plot. I also found the characters to be likable and while I could never 100% relate to one, I still was able to in small ways, and I think many others will be able to as well, because in some ways these characters are the universal teens. Further more, they were also established in a way that truly made them jump of the page and come to life in front of my eyes.
The one thing I would have liked to seen, though, was a better resolution to their situations, because by the end, Steve truly left you hanging on several different parts of the plot.
And talking about the plot, it was pretty decent, but I would have liked some more action, possibly, to speed things up every once in a while when it tended to drag on and on. Steve's writing was great though and brought a flare to the novel that gave it an edge I liked.
In all, The Absolute Value of -1 is a decent story of the trials and tribulations of being in the in-between stage between a teen and adult; a must read for anyone looking for a novel of loss, love, and despair!
Grade: B
The Absolute Value of -1 tells the story of three teens who've been friends since middle school, but now with high school in the process it seems like their friendship is slipping right out of their hands. Lilly is part of the group; she's the math genesis and the girl who has truly been lost since her parents got divorced all those years ago. But it is okay because she has the swoon-worthy Simon and he'd never hurt her, right? Simon is the one dealing with problems at home that he can't even began to speak of, because that would only mean they are 100% true and he just can't have that. Noah is the one that completes the trio. Noah's father has never been dad of the year quality which has led Noah to go down several bad roads, but this time he's going to make everything right. He's going to Lilly to fall in love with him, for one, and he's going to make everything at home right...
All three of these characters are completely lost and alone, though with each other they find a part of themselves that shows them they can be somewhat normal even for a little while, and I liked that aspect of that plot. I also found the characters to be likable and while I could never 100% relate to one, I still was able to in small ways, and I think many others will be able to as well, because in some ways these characters are the universal teens. Further more, they were also established in a way that truly made them jump of the page and come to life in front of my eyes.
The one thing I would have liked to seen, though, was a better resolution to their situations, because by the end, Steve truly left you hanging on several different parts of the plot.
And talking about the plot, it was pretty decent, but I would have liked some more action, possibly, to speed things up every once in a while when it tended to drag on and on. Steve's writing was great though and brought a flare to the novel that gave it an edge I liked.
In all, The Absolute Value of -1 is a decent story of the trials and tribulations of being in the in-between stage between a teen and adult; a must read for anyone looking for a novel of loss, love, and despair!
Grade: B
September 29, 2010
Having never heard of THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1, I had no expectations as I cracked the cover. Not one. Which is why I was shocked to discover that this novel, Steve Brezenoff's YA debut, has landed squarely on my Best of 2010 list.
The novel is divided into three main sections - one for each character - but the first and last pages are told by Suzanne. I'll admit to being a bit confused when I saw her name printed largely on the first page... there's no mention of a Suzanne in the description. It doesn't take long to figure out who this mysterious narrator is, but it takes the majority of the novel to make sense of her role and meaning to each of the main characters.
I ended up preferring Lily and Noah over Simon. I appreciated seeing the events unfold from each POV, but Simon set me on edge. Even at the end of the novel, I wasn't completely sure I understood his motivations, which made is actions difficult to reconcile. In the end, I resigned myself to disliking his character, which was difficult for me because I can't help but try to connect with each character, even in a small way.
I found it easy to identify with Lily. She's the typically high school girl, in love with a boy who is oblivious to her. Or worse, is completely aware and chooses to act oblivious. I feel confident saying that every girl feels like a Lily at some point, whether it occurs in high school or later.
Noah was my favorite character, though it's hard to say exactly why. Part of me wonders if it's due to the fact that he had the smallest section. It's almost like when you meet someone for the first time and you think they're pretty cool, but then, the more you get to know them, the more you're aware of their flaws. And then they just don't seem so cool anymore. Simon and Lily's flaws were painfully clear, while Noah was just a stoner boy with an unrequited crush. He was much easier to like. Maybe I would have ended up liking him less if he was more of a focus, but I still can't help wanting to hear more of his story.
THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1 is unflinchingly honest and beautifully written. I'm very curious to see what Steve Brezenoff offers next, but, in the meantime, I'll be pondering this novel's final pages...
The novel is divided into three main sections - one for each character - but the first and last pages are told by Suzanne. I'll admit to being a bit confused when I saw her name printed largely on the first page... there's no mention of a Suzanne in the description. It doesn't take long to figure out who this mysterious narrator is, but it takes the majority of the novel to make sense of her role and meaning to each of the main characters.
I ended up preferring Lily and Noah over Simon. I appreciated seeing the events unfold from each POV, but Simon set me on edge. Even at the end of the novel, I wasn't completely sure I understood his motivations, which made is actions difficult to reconcile. In the end, I resigned myself to disliking his character, which was difficult for me because I can't help but try to connect with each character, even in a small way.
I found it easy to identify with Lily. She's the typically high school girl, in love with a boy who is oblivious to her. Or worse, is completely aware and chooses to act oblivious. I feel confident saying that every girl feels like a Lily at some point, whether it occurs in high school or later.
Noah was my favorite character, though it's hard to say exactly why. Part of me wonders if it's due to the fact that he had the smallest section. It's almost like when you meet someone for the first time and you think they're pretty cool, but then, the more you get to know them, the more you're aware of their flaws. And then they just don't seem so cool anymore. Simon and Lily's flaws were painfully clear, while Noah was just a stoner boy with an unrequited crush. He was much easier to like. Maybe I would have ended up liking him less if he was more of a focus, but I still can't help wanting to hear more of his story.
THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1 is unflinchingly honest and beautifully written. I'm very curious to see what Steve Brezenoff offers next, but, in the meantime, I'll be pondering this novel's final pages...
September 12, 2011
High school: Noah loves Lily, Lily loves Simon, Simon loves pot; Noah deals pot. I was lucky enough to never be a vertex in a warped little quadrilateral precisely like this, but the geometry of misery feels plenty familiar and accurate anyway. Brezenoff lays it out in first-person narration from the three principles, with book-ending asides in a sibling’s voice.
I have four teeny quibbles with this book. It bounces around in time quite a bit, and I was sometimes a little confused between “now,” “a little while ago,” and “back in junior high.” There are a couple of plot elements that provide an element of gravitas but don’t seem strictly necessary and are maybe a touch pat. Every now and then, Brezenoff’s teens seem a little too self-aware, especially Lily:
Finally, the novel is set in Long Island, and the protagonists are fans of New York’s American League baseball team. That’s actually not what bugs me. My issue is that to show support, they will don a “Yankee cap,” singular, which to me sounds like it should be a Confederate flag in a universal “No” circle. Maybe it’s a Long Island quirk?
But these are minor concerns, and I think this book gets an awful lot dead-on right. It doesn’t moralize. The teens aren’t “good kids” or “bad kids,” just kids trying to muddle through the best they can. (Their parents are another story; they are decidedly “bad parents.”) Lily, Noah, and Simon’s voices are distinct, credible, and compelling – Brezenoff doesn’t downplay their flaws to make them more likable. The overlapping narrative structure means that a few of the same events are seen from multiple perspectives, and they’re a little different: the dialogue and action don’t match exactly, which I think is quite a nice touch, demonstrating the subjectivity of memory and how we all engineer our own stories a little bit.
I have four teeny quibbles with this book. It bounces around in time quite a bit, and I was sometimes a little confused between “now,” “a little while ago,” and “back in junior high.” There are a couple of plot elements that provide an element of gravitas but don’t seem strictly necessary and are maybe a touch pat. Every now and then, Brezenoff’s teens seem a little too self-aware, especially Lily:
I wasn’t always a cigarette-smoking bad girl. Not by any means. In seventh grade, I made a fairly conscious decision, as a matter of fact, to try on some juvie shoes over my straight laces. . . I figure someday, maybe during college, or, hell, even after if I’m really feeling it, I’ll just take the juive shoes off, dust off my Mary Janes, and here’s good Lily. Give her an A+ and a job, please.
Finally, the novel is set in Long Island, and the protagonists are fans of New York’s American League baseball team. That’s actually not what bugs me. My issue is that to show support, they will don a “Yankee cap,” singular, which to me sounds like it should be a Confederate flag in a universal “No” circle. Maybe it’s a Long Island quirk?
But these are minor concerns, and I think this book gets an awful lot dead-on right. It doesn’t moralize. The teens aren’t “good kids” or “bad kids,” just kids trying to muddle through the best they can. (Their parents are another story; they are decidedly “bad parents.”) Lily, Noah, and Simon’s voices are distinct, credible, and compelling – Brezenoff doesn’t downplay their flaws to make them more likable. The overlapping narrative structure means that a few of the same events are seen from multiple perspectives, and they’re a little different: the dialogue and action don’t match exactly, which I think is quite a nice touch, demonstrating the subjectivity of memory and how we all engineer our own stories a little bit.
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April 12, 2017The absolute Value of -1 is a great story that tells the average days in the life of three teenager friends and their love circle. Lily is in love with Simon even though he doesn't give her the time of day. She'll ditch anyone and revolve her whole day to find him, walk by him or look good for him. At the same time Noah is head over heels for lily and she doesn't even see it. Noah try's to be with lily and be the guy she wants but she only has eyes for Simon. Simon how ever is branching away from the friends and doing track, meeting new girls/people. They all get to tell the same story about their smoke sessions, party's and feelings. Overall in the story you learn about these three kids life at home, school, drama and everything about them as they each get a part of the book dedicated to them telling their side of the story. you get too see how each person tells the story and the difference in how they felt or what actually happened. Personally i loved this book because the way each person thought of the situations different. For example, (SPOILER ALERT) one night Noah finally made a move on Lily trying to get her to like him back. In lily's side of the story she says he tried to kiss her and thought it was outrageous and got mad blaming him. But when you read Noah's side of the same story being told he thought she was giving him sign and that they were having a moment. (END OF SPOILER ALERT) That's why i loved the way you get to see how each person feels and how differently people interpret things that happen. overall highly recommend reading this book 10/10.
October 5, 2010
(3.5 stars, rounding up because it picked up at the end)
This book got off to a slow start for me. I found Lily interesting in a fairly abstract way, but I never found her or her story compelling.
It really picked up for me when the book switched viewpoints, and I started to see Noah's perspective on some of the same events. If anything, Noah is a less interesting character, but the shift really pulled me in.
Then we got to Simon's section. I hadn't been interested in him either, but once I saw his perspective, and the parts of the story that his friends didn't see, his was the best part of the book.
His was also the most touching and the most real, since he was dealing with significant personal issues. He could have (and often did) hide from them, but in the end, they found him.
I do wish that the book had completed the circle and returned to Lily's POV. I think I would have appreciated her more at that point.
All three characters were fairly shallow, self centered teens. Personally, I didn't like the casual smoking and drugs in the book. I'm not saying it was unrealistic or shouldn't be there, but that did cut down on the personal appeal of the book.
In the end, I found the book interesting and well executed. I think the slower first part was necessary to get there.
This book got off to a slow start for me. I found Lily interesting in a fairly abstract way, but I never found her or her story compelling.
It really picked up for me when the book switched viewpoints, and I started to see Noah's perspective on some of the same events. If anything, Noah is a less interesting character, but the shift really pulled me in.
Then we got to Simon's section. I hadn't been interested in him either, but once I saw his perspective, and the parts of the story that his friends didn't see, his was the best part of the book.
His was also the most touching and the most real, since he was dealing with significant personal issues. He could have (and often did) hide from them, but in the end, they found him.
I do wish that the book had completed the circle and returned to Lily's POV. I think I would have appreciated her more at that point.
All three characters were fairly shallow, self centered teens. Personally, I didn't like the casual smoking and drugs in the book. I'm not saying it was unrealistic or shouldn't be there, but that did cut down on the personal appeal of the book.
In the end, I found the book interesting and well executed. I think the slower first part was necessary to get there.
July 24, 2013
This was heartbreaking.... and weird. At times I felt like I was playing a guessing game. This story us told from mainly 3 different perspectives, lily, Noah and Simon ( and very briefly Simons sister Suzanne). There is a lot of rehashing the same events, but its somehow not boring. Each character is very different and complex, with some of the same issues going on, but at the same time, their very own stories and misgivings to tell.
3 stars.
A little game of word association:
Cancer.family.goth.smoke.pot.sadness. cover up. Run. Cold. Anger. Love. Freedom. Boredom. Tears. Future. Broken. Outcast. Normalcy. Freak.
3 stars.
A little game of word association:
Cancer.family.goth.smoke.pot.sadness. cover up. Run. Cold. Anger. Love. Freedom. Boredom. Tears. Future. Broken. Outcast. Normalcy. Freak.
September 8, 2010
I can see this being a nominee for either the Morris or the NBA. A lot of swearing, but the themes and realistic portrayal of a subgroup of teens is spot on.
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010...
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010...
May 14, 2012
the author is very stereotypical of teenagers.
apparently all they do is sexual things, think about breasts, smoke, drink alcohol, and get high.
also, was there a plot to this book?
if so, please explain it to me.
apparently all they do is sexual things, think about breasts, smoke, drink alcohol, and get high.
also, was there a plot to this book?
if so, please explain it to me.
October 14, 2010
The Short Version:
A multiple voice narrative, each distinct in it's own way, and a hugely realistic portrayal of events make The Absolute Value of -1 a painful but enlightening read. The interactions between these three friends aren't as great as they seem, and the slow realization for the trio comes as a new shock, each time. Mixing in love and lust, drugs, and a need for both connection and solidarity, Brezenoff has pitched a beautiful look that will resonate with plenty. The writing shifts slightly with each new section and character perspective, but still holds a strong, connected note that ties all three together and to the author. Though the ending was abrupt and left me feeling confused in some ways, the overall story is phenomenally well done and beautiful in its integrity and realism.
The Extended Version:
Unflinchingly raw and achingly real, The Absolute Value of -1 centers around three teens who are a mess of their own making, bringing each other down in the process. With insight straight into all three character's minds, the reader gains a strong connection to each.
Lily is sarcastic and flippant, but struggling with the divorce of her parents and the often constant presence of her mom's post-split boyfriend. Much of what she does centers around wanting Simon to notice her, and her several year long crush on him is painful and palpable. Things through her eyes have a certain dominating depressed air about them, with bits of hope and happiness mixed in. Watching the way Noah acts towards her is frustrating, and Simon often comes off an uncaring jerk- but that's only through her eyes.
Noah loves girls, especially Lily. His seemingly harassing comments, when seen with his perspective, are failing attempts at compliments. Brezenoff handles this forwardness beautifully, painting a highly realistic and gripping teenager. Noah spends much of his time getting high, and smokes cigarettes in the intervals. He provides Lily and Simon, and it often seems as though the weed is the only real tie this trio has. Mixing in Noah's home life creates a sympathetic edge to a brash character, tying the entire picture up in a great way.
Simon was the most intriguing of the three for me. His uncaring nature takes a new turn once the reader is thrust into his mind. With flashbacks of growing up, his closeness to his sister, and his relatively tight-knit family now having to deal with the father's sickness, Simon has more on his plate than he knows what to do with. While he knows about Lily and Simon's home lives, he hides his own worries and fears. Feeling a growing need to get his life back on track, Simon starts pushing away from the others before he even realizes it. Simon's section was the most heartbreaking and thought provoking, and absolutely unadulterated in its reality.
Despite the three different sections, each with a different character's narrative, Brezenoff kept the pace relatively steady. This isn't a high action book, but rather an intimate look into these character's minds and lives. The same general time line is told from each perspective, shedding new light on the same events or giving it a different angle. All three characters were gutting and flawed, but that added to the striking realism infused throughout the pages of this book.
Things build quickly towards the end of the book and explode in a shocking ending. The final section, which mirrors the beginning and gives a brief glimpse into the mind of Suzanne, Simon's sister, throws an interesting hook that I admittedly had a hard time swallowing. Though I felt the ending was jarring in its abruptness, that in part due to how deeply connected to the characters I felt. The final section and ending are the only criticisms I have of this otherwise stunning book. These three are facing real issues, handling them with all the fumbles that could be expected and more, and Brezenoff doesn't hold anything back in their portrayal.
A multiple voice narrative, each distinct in it's own way, and a hugely realistic portrayal of events make The Absolute Value of -1 a painful but enlightening read. The interactions between these three friends aren't as great as they seem, and the slow realization for the trio comes as a new shock, each time. Mixing in love and lust, drugs, and a need for both connection and solidarity, Brezenoff has pitched a beautiful look that will resonate with plenty. The writing shifts slightly with each new section and character perspective, but still holds a strong, connected note that ties all three together and to the author. Though the ending was abrupt and left me feeling confused in some ways, the overall story is phenomenally well done and beautiful in its integrity and realism.
The Extended Version:
Unflinchingly raw and achingly real, The Absolute Value of -1 centers around three teens who are a mess of their own making, bringing each other down in the process. With insight straight into all three character's minds, the reader gains a strong connection to each.
Lily is sarcastic and flippant, but struggling with the divorce of her parents and the often constant presence of her mom's post-split boyfriend. Much of what she does centers around wanting Simon to notice her, and her several year long crush on him is painful and palpable. Things through her eyes have a certain dominating depressed air about them, with bits of hope and happiness mixed in. Watching the way Noah acts towards her is frustrating, and Simon often comes off an uncaring jerk- but that's only through her eyes.
Noah loves girls, especially Lily. His seemingly harassing comments, when seen with his perspective, are failing attempts at compliments. Brezenoff handles this forwardness beautifully, painting a highly realistic and gripping teenager. Noah spends much of his time getting high, and smokes cigarettes in the intervals. He provides Lily and Simon, and it often seems as though the weed is the only real tie this trio has. Mixing in Noah's home life creates a sympathetic edge to a brash character, tying the entire picture up in a great way.
Simon was the most intriguing of the three for me. His uncaring nature takes a new turn once the reader is thrust into his mind. With flashbacks of growing up, his closeness to his sister, and his relatively tight-knit family now having to deal with the father's sickness, Simon has more on his plate than he knows what to do with. While he knows about Lily and Simon's home lives, he hides his own worries and fears. Feeling a growing need to get his life back on track, Simon starts pushing away from the others before he even realizes it. Simon's section was the most heartbreaking and thought provoking, and absolutely unadulterated in its reality.
Despite the three different sections, each with a different character's narrative, Brezenoff kept the pace relatively steady. This isn't a high action book, but rather an intimate look into these character's minds and lives. The same general time line is told from each perspective, shedding new light on the same events or giving it a different angle. All three characters were gutting and flawed, but that added to the striking realism infused throughout the pages of this book.
Things build quickly towards the end of the book and explode in a shocking ending. The final section, which mirrors the beginning and gives a brief glimpse into the mind of Suzanne, Simon's sister, throws an interesting hook that I admittedly had a hard time swallowing. Though I felt the ending was jarring in its abruptness, that in part due to how deeply connected to the characters I felt. The final section and ending are the only criticisms I have of this otherwise stunning book. These three are facing real issues, handling them with all the fumbles that could be expected and more, and Brezenoff doesn't hold anything back in their portrayal.
December 31, 2010
Don't let those blurbs fool you. The only one that's the most relevant is Lily's. The others all look like they're wrapped up in some weird love triangle of angst but it's so much more than that. Except for Lily. That's really all it is about since she had such tunnel vision for Simon.
Again, Carolrhoda Lab has not let me down with one of their books. Brezenoff's writing digs so deep, gets down underneath the emo and the angst and the teenagery to something so much more powerful. Lily and Noah are chasing pipe dreams, from a pipe. Just not each others. And Simon, he's the absolute value. He's not a positive or a negative. He's the normal, the end result of walking through the absolute and coming out the other side alive.
The story is told in three very distinct points of view: Lily's, Noah's and Simon's and they all cover relatively the same timeline but you get to see the world from different eyes and it makes all the difference in the story.
Lily's story is rose-colored but running, like red ink splattered with water. She has her eyes set on Simon and she's so blinded by that want she doesn't see the forest for the trees. There is no forest, no trees. Just Simon. Noah's world is a baked out Scooby van with douchier friends. Like Lily, he's so blinded by the path he's made out for himself that he can't see the change. Or doesn't want to. So he envelopes himself in a protective seal in order to save himself. He likes what he has. It saves him from what he walks away from every day and it's worked. Why change something that works so well? It could ruin everything.
And Simon. Simon's the be-all end-all of the storyline, in so many ways. His piece of the puzzle is the most powerful, the most poignant. When he cries, you can feel his tears hitting your hand. You can feel the pain he feels when he starts learning hard truths. And through his eyes we see just how absolutely far away from Lily and Noah he really is. From their eyes, he's the quiet dude that keeps to himself but smokes a lot of bud. No one digs any deeper and if they tried, he really wouldn't let them in. But he's not. He's coping. He's normal. Sort of.
There really wasn't anything about this book not to love. I could have been reading the stories of three real kids for how authentic all three voices sounded. The only issue I had with any part of the story was Suzanne. I'm not sure of her relevance nor if she was even necessary for the story. As Simon's sister she was definitely a crutch for him and at times I found their relationship uncomfortable for how close they were. I saw the path it was headed on really early on but I don't know why the story went there, especially since it happened so late in the plot (like the last few pages) and the aftermath wasn't delved into at all except they kept their distance from each other at the grieving. I honestly don't know if it was another wrench in the spokes of life or if there's a bigger picture I'm missing. I just didn't find that particular part necessary. I think it was too underdeveloped for what it became.
Other than that, this could be a life study of teenagers in the wild. This is what it's like to be a fly on the inside of their craniums. You see how they act and you're privy to what they think and it's so much deeper than the cigarettes and beer and weed and cutting class and slang and whatever. There's pain and torment and sorrow and loss and longing and love going on underneath it all and Brezenoff captured it all fantastically. Reading from one cover to the other was as effortless as walking from one side of the room to the other. At the end I wanted more, especially of Simon. There was so much left hanging there that I didn't want it to end. But it did. And it was oh so good while it lasted.
Again, Carolrhoda Lab has not let me down with one of their books. Brezenoff's writing digs so deep, gets down underneath the emo and the angst and the teenagery to something so much more powerful. Lily and Noah are chasing pipe dreams, from a pipe. Just not each others. And Simon, he's the absolute value. He's not a positive or a negative. He's the normal, the end result of walking through the absolute and coming out the other side alive.
The story is told in three very distinct points of view: Lily's, Noah's and Simon's and they all cover relatively the same timeline but you get to see the world from different eyes and it makes all the difference in the story.
Lily's story is rose-colored but running, like red ink splattered with water. She has her eyes set on Simon and she's so blinded by that want she doesn't see the forest for the trees. There is no forest, no trees. Just Simon. Noah's world is a baked out Scooby van with douchier friends. Like Lily, he's so blinded by the path he's made out for himself that he can't see the change. Or doesn't want to. So he envelopes himself in a protective seal in order to save himself. He likes what he has. It saves him from what he walks away from every day and it's worked. Why change something that works so well? It could ruin everything.
And Simon. Simon's the be-all end-all of the storyline, in so many ways. His piece of the puzzle is the most powerful, the most poignant. When he cries, you can feel his tears hitting your hand. You can feel the pain he feels when he starts learning hard truths. And through his eyes we see just how absolutely far away from Lily and Noah he really is. From their eyes, he's the quiet dude that keeps to himself but smokes a lot of bud. No one digs any deeper and if they tried, he really wouldn't let them in. But he's not. He's coping. He's normal. Sort of.
There really wasn't anything about this book not to love. I could have been reading the stories of three real kids for how authentic all three voices sounded. The only issue I had with any part of the story was Suzanne. I'm not sure of her relevance nor if she was even necessary for the story. As Simon's sister she was definitely a crutch for him and at times I found their relationship uncomfortable for how close they were. I saw the path it was headed on really early on but I don't know why the story went there, especially since it happened so late in the plot (like the last few pages) and the aftermath wasn't delved into at all except they kept their distance from each other at the grieving. I honestly don't know if it was another wrench in the spokes of life or if there's a bigger picture I'm missing. I just didn't find that particular part necessary. I think it was too underdeveloped for what it became.
Other than that, this could be a life study of teenagers in the wild. This is what it's like to be a fly on the inside of their craniums. You see how they act and you're privy to what they think and it's so much deeper than the cigarettes and beer and weed and cutting class and slang and whatever. There's pain and torment and sorrow and loss and longing and love going on underneath it all and Brezenoff captured it all fantastically. Reading from one cover to the other was as effortless as walking from one side of the room to the other. At the end I wanted more, especially of Simon. There was so much left hanging there that I didn't want it to end. But it did. And it was oh so good while it lasted.
December 28, 2010
It's been said "nobody loves no one."* No one wants to be alone and it's easy to fixate on someone to want. The hard part is loving someone who loves you back with circumstances and timing that allow it to work. That's not the story of this book. No, this offers three-and-a-half studies of characters who yearn for those they can't have. Each tells his or her version of the story in turn, relating the events from an individual perspective and in a distinct voice. They're real and believable and, while you may not like them, you're likely to hurt for them.
There's Lily, the aspiring math genius with a hidden compulsion to count everything: I wasn't always a cigarette-smoking bad girl. Not by any means. In seventh grade, I made a fairly conscious decision, as a matter of fact, to try on some juvie shoes over my straight-laces. The best part: I know exactly why I did it and everything. That will save me so much money on therapy down the road. I figure someday, maybe during college or, hell, ever after if I'm really feeling it, I'll just take the juvie shoes off, dust off my Mary Janes, and there's good Lily! Give her an A+ and a job, please.
What started as a rebellion in response to her parents' divorce, though, is becoming an ever-harder-to-escape habit of pot smoking and apathy. Even to the point of frequently skipping her favorite advanced math class. But it's worth it because she gets to spend time with Simon, whom she's secretly loved since first setting eyes on him in seventh grade. Well, not so secretly, really, since everyone but Simon knows it and most assume they're a couple because they're so frequently together.
There's Noah--Noah da Stonah, as he's called, since he's the supplier for most of the school: I know what Simon thinks. He thinks my dad beats me, like it's child abuse or whatever. But it's really not like that. The thing is, we fight. You can believe that dude has to show up at his office sometimes and tell a bullshit story about taking an elbow to the face in a pick-up basketball game over the weekend. But I did that. I gave him that black eye, or that bloodied lip.
Always hyper from assumed ADHD, Noah yearns to let Lily know he's secretly in love with her, but all that ever comes out are crass comments about the size of her chest. Still, he can't stay away from her. And Simon's not only his best friend but his best customer, so it just works out that the three of them hang out together.
Finally, there's Simon: Cancer is a darkness that / grows and grows and / eats Good for breakfast. / I have two / and one is in my head. / When the two meet in my chest, / The Good will crawl / Into a corner of my heart / To die.
Simon idolizes his older sister Suzanne, but nothing's been the same since she left for college. Sure, he doesn't have to listen to the constant screaming matches between Suzanne and their dad, but dead silence seems to have replaced it. And now his dad's dying of cancer. The only way Simon knows how to deal is escape through reading and getting high and by spilling his every thought into his journal in a formless stream-of-consciousness that his independent study writing teacher can't stand. Simon's too busy avoiding life to notice Lily or Noah or care about much of anything.
And there's a short little opening and closing frame from Suzanne: "She is a pervert. She wanted her brother and her father is dead."
-----
*I know the quote from Chris Isaak's Wicked Game, but I'm not sure if he deserves credit for originating it.
There's Lily, the aspiring math genius with a hidden compulsion to count everything: I wasn't always a cigarette-smoking bad girl. Not by any means. In seventh grade, I made a fairly conscious decision, as a matter of fact, to try on some juvie shoes over my straight-laces. The best part: I know exactly why I did it and everything. That will save me so much money on therapy down the road. I figure someday, maybe during college or, hell, ever after if I'm really feeling it, I'll just take the juvie shoes off, dust off my Mary Janes, and there's good Lily! Give her an A+ and a job, please.
What started as a rebellion in response to her parents' divorce, though, is becoming an ever-harder-to-escape habit of pot smoking and apathy. Even to the point of frequently skipping her favorite advanced math class. But it's worth it because she gets to spend time with Simon, whom she's secretly loved since first setting eyes on him in seventh grade. Well, not so secretly, really, since everyone but Simon knows it and most assume they're a couple because they're so frequently together.
There's Noah--Noah da Stonah, as he's called, since he's the supplier for most of the school: I know what Simon thinks. He thinks my dad beats me, like it's child abuse or whatever. But it's really not like that. The thing is, we fight. You can believe that dude has to show up at his office sometimes and tell a bullshit story about taking an elbow to the face in a pick-up basketball game over the weekend. But I did that. I gave him that black eye, or that bloodied lip.
Always hyper from assumed ADHD, Noah yearns to let Lily know he's secretly in love with her, but all that ever comes out are crass comments about the size of her chest. Still, he can't stay away from her. And Simon's not only his best friend but his best customer, so it just works out that the three of them hang out together.
Finally, there's Simon: Cancer is a darkness that / grows and grows and / eats Good for breakfast. / I have two / and one is in my head. / When the two meet in my chest, / The Good will crawl / Into a corner of my heart / To die.
Simon idolizes his older sister Suzanne, but nothing's been the same since she left for college. Sure, he doesn't have to listen to the constant screaming matches between Suzanne and their dad, but dead silence seems to have replaced it. And now his dad's dying of cancer. The only way Simon knows how to deal is escape through reading and getting high and by spilling his every thought into his journal in a formless stream-of-consciousness that his independent study writing teacher can't stand. Simon's too busy avoiding life to notice Lily or Noah or care about much of anything.
And there's a short little opening and closing frame from Suzanne: "She is a pervert. She wanted her brother and her father is dead."
-----
*I know the quote from Chris Isaak's Wicked Game, but I'm not sure if he deserves credit for originating it.
October 29, 2011
I absolutely loved Steve Brezenoff's Brooklyn, Burning (review), so I was really excited to read his debut. While the writing is just as great in The Absolute Value of -1, I didn't like it quite as much as Brooklyn, Burning, just because I couldn't really connect to two of the main characters.
The book starts out with a chapter from Suzanne's point of view. That part really confused me, but I figured that was the point and just kept reading. Then there's a longer part from Lily's point of view, which I really, really liked. Lily's a great, fully-developed character, and I could easily relate to her and her unrequited love for Simon. I'm not even sure what it was about her that made me like her so much, but I did. Her voice is great and so real. I loved Lily's humor and all of her quirks - the way she thinks is unique and so entertaining.
Then came Noah's part. I felt for Noah, too, since his life definitely hasn't been easy, but... I don't know. For some reason, I just didn't like him all that much. Technically, his character is good, too, complex, flawed and realistic. But personally, I just couldn't connect to him. Maybe I could have, if I'd read about him longer, but his part is by far the shortest and there's no real development in his story, so I never built up a real relationship with Noah.
And then there's Simon. Honestly, I disliked Simon from his first chapter on, when he describes Lily as "short and sort of on the ugly side." Maybe I was still hung up on liking Lily so much, but it really upset me how he could say something like that about Lily, knowing how much she likes him. I liked him less and less as the story continued - how he leads Lily on, doesn't care at all about her feelings, starts hanging out with Melanie, and doesn't even feel the need to properly break up with Lily - ugh! I wanted to slap him throughout the book. Again, he's a well-written character, and I felt for him about the whole thing with his family, but I just couldn't see past what an ass he is to Lily. And when I can't relate to a character, it's really hard for me to get into a story, so I felt somewhat removed from everything that happened to Simon.
The writing, however, is what made this book work - like I said in my review of Brooklyn, Burning, Steve Brezenoff's prose is sparse but beautiful, matter-of-fact most of the time but still conveys loads of emotions, and addresses lots of issues without sounding preachy. That's what carried the novel, for me (aside from Lily - I just love Lily...).
I feel bad for giving The Absolute Value of -1 just 3 stars - it's a really, really good book, and it's more like 3.5 stars. But I don't give star ratings to show whether a book is bad or good; they're about how much I personally enjoyed them, and I couldn't really get into a large part of the book because I disliked the narrators. Since relating to characters is different for everyone, though, I do recommend The Absolute Value of -1, simply because Steve Brezenoff's writing is amazing. But if you haven't read either The Absolute Value of -1 or Brooklyn, Burning, I'd recommend reading Brooklyn, Burning first.
Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...
The book starts out with a chapter from Suzanne's point of view. That part really confused me, but I figured that was the point and just kept reading. Then there's a longer part from Lily's point of view, which I really, really liked. Lily's a great, fully-developed character, and I could easily relate to her and her unrequited love for Simon. I'm not even sure what it was about her that made me like her so much, but I did. Her voice is great and so real. I loved Lily's humor and all of her quirks - the way she thinks is unique and so entertaining.
Then came Noah's part. I felt for Noah, too, since his life definitely hasn't been easy, but... I don't know. For some reason, I just didn't like him all that much. Technically, his character is good, too, complex, flawed and realistic. But personally, I just couldn't connect to him. Maybe I could have, if I'd read about him longer, but his part is by far the shortest and there's no real development in his story, so I never built up a real relationship with Noah.
And then there's Simon. Honestly, I disliked Simon from his first chapter on, when he describes Lily as "short and sort of on the ugly side." Maybe I was still hung up on liking Lily so much, but it really upset me how he could say something like that about Lily, knowing how much she likes him. I liked him less and less as the story continued - how he leads Lily on, doesn't care at all about her feelings, starts hanging out with Melanie, and doesn't even feel the need to properly break up with Lily - ugh! I wanted to slap him throughout the book. Again, he's a well-written character, and I felt for him about the whole thing with his family, but I just couldn't see past what an ass he is to Lily. And when I can't relate to a character, it's really hard for me to get into a story, so I felt somewhat removed from everything that happened to Simon.
The writing, however, is what made this book work - like I said in my review of Brooklyn, Burning, Steve Brezenoff's prose is sparse but beautiful, matter-of-fact most of the time but still conveys loads of emotions, and addresses lots of issues without sounding preachy. That's what carried the novel, for me (aside from Lily - I just love Lily...).
I feel bad for giving The Absolute Value of -1 just 3 stars - it's a really, really good book, and it's more like 3.5 stars. But I don't give star ratings to show whether a book is bad or good; they're about how much I personally enjoyed them, and I couldn't really get into a large part of the book because I disliked the narrators. Since relating to characters is different for everyone, though, I do recommend The Absolute Value of -1, simply because Steve Brezenoff's writing is amazing. But if you haven't read either The Absolute Value of -1 or Brooklyn, Burning, I'd recommend reading Brooklyn, Burning first.
Reviewed at http://www.paperbacktreasures.blogspo...
September 1, 2010
Books that deal with younger characters have always had a draw for me. Especially when they deal with the subjects that most parents don't seem to want to broach with their children. It always seemed to me that kids will find the information that they are looking for one way or another, so wouldn't you rather it be accurate? At least if a book properly and effectively deals with a touchy subject, a younger person can get the information that they are seeking. Books like this have power.
The Absolute Value of -1 does deal with some difficult subject matter. I find it only fair that I warn you that pot smoking, shop lifting and mild violence lie within the pages. Buried in there is also teenage feelings and confusion over love and lust. However as an educator I know that these big ticket items are, in fact, a part of most younger lives at some point. As much as we would all like to pretend that teenage lives are sugar and spice, that simply isn't true. As Simon, Noah and Lily each show respectively, your home doesn't have to be a specific way for you to begin to follow a certain path. Instead it is the individual experiences in a person's life that lead them to down one road or another.
Told in sections from each character's point of view, this book shows us how the same set of moments can be experienced three different ways. It was fascinating to have that depth into each character's memories. Simon, Noah and Lily are each so different, and yet when you see the same story through each of their eyes you find that they have common links. Watching them grow, watching them make mistakes, it was as if there were real people right there in front of me. I think this is book perfectly embodies the concept of a "coming of age" story.
What I loved about The Absolute Value of -1 was that it was raw. This was a look at the inner workings of these children, and their thoughts. I especially felt invested in Simon, and struggled when he struggled. I saw myself in him as he fought to break away from that was defining him. I'll admit that Steve Brezenoff knows how to weave a story that draws you in and pulls emotions forth that aren't always easy to deal with. There were many moments where I found myself teary eyed, and others where I found myself so angry. This book touched me in a way that I can't quite put into words.
Plain and simple, this story is beautiful. However if you're picturing lyrical writing and sweeping scenes, you're missing the point of this book. Truth is, The Absolute Value of -1 is a gritty, realistic read and that is what I adored about it. Steve Brezenoff has no qualms with diving into the darker parts of his characters' lives, and I think that is really important. Although this was a difficult read, I feel I came away from it a better person somehow. Recommended 100%.
The Absolute Value of -1 does deal with some difficult subject matter. I find it only fair that I warn you that pot smoking, shop lifting and mild violence lie within the pages. Buried in there is also teenage feelings and confusion over love and lust. However as an educator I know that these big ticket items are, in fact, a part of most younger lives at some point. As much as we would all like to pretend that teenage lives are sugar and spice, that simply isn't true. As Simon, Noah and Lily each show respectively, your home doesn't have to be a specific way for you to begin to follow a certain path. Instead it is the individual experiences in a person's life that lead them to down one road or another.
Told in sections from each character's point of view, this book shows us how the same set of moments can be experienced three different ways. It was fascinating to have that depth into each character's memories. Simon, Noah and Lily are each so different, and yet when you see the same story through each of their eyes you find that they have common links. Watching them grow, watching them make mistakes, it was as if there were real people right there in front of me. I think this is book perfectly embodies the concept of a "coming of age" story.
What I loved about The Absolute Value of -1 was that it was raw. This was a look at the inner workings of these children, and their thoughts. I especially felt invested in Simon, and struggled when he struggled. I saw myself in him as he fought to break away from that was defining him. I'll admit that Steve Brezenoff knows how to weave a story that draws you in and pulls emotions forth that aren't always easy to deal with. There were many moments where I found myself teary eyed, and others where I found myself so angry. This book touched me in a way that I can't quite put into words.
Plain and simple, this story is beautiful. However if you're picturing lyrical writing and sweeping scenes, you're missing the point of this book. Truth is, The Absolute Value of -1 is a gritty, realistic read and that is what I adored about it. Steve Brezenoff has no qualms with diving into the darker parts of his characters' lives, and I think that is really important. Although this was a difficult read, I feel I came away from it a better person somehow. Recommended 100%.
January 23, 2012
This book is about this three teenagers that use to be bestfriends. When they got into highschool, everything changed. This friendship consist of Noah, Simon and Lily. They started off the book with Lily's point of view, she faced a lot of challenges in life. She had this major crush on this guy that was her friend for so long, Simon. Even though she liked him, she was revolved with even bigger problems in life - her parent's divorce problem. Everything surrounding was just so tiring and very painful. She didn't want to communicate with Simon, because she always want to show the best side of her to him. She didn't want to tell Noah, since he is always high or very awkward when they are together. The only reason why he was so awkward around Lily is because Noah himself likes her. Noah, i think is very friendly, but only if he don't do drugs. He is this bond in the friendship, the "glue". Without him, the friendship would fall apart. Simon on the other hand looks very cool and careless, but deep inside him he was hiding problems that he dont want to share with anyone else. Simon knows how much Lily loves him, but he just cant help not caring. He has a father that has cancer and is suffering a lot. All he can do is to cover all his emotions and pretend to be strong. Simon has a sister, she is the one that suffered a lot, since she was much closer to her father. At the end, his dad died of cancer... painfully. Simon's sister suzanne ran because she has to escape from reality. Everyone in this story ended up sadly, everyone wanted to escape reality. Lily pretended she was with Simon, Noah pretended he was with Lily when hes high. Everyone was just struggling, even till the end.
I thought this book was too emotional, because it was kind of overwhelming having to do with so much problems at the same time. But i liked this book because it was told with different perspective and it gives me this ohh moment when i found out that simon actually knows how Lily had a crush on him for a while. Also, i was just gasping how Lily is so smart but she can actually be friends with Noah and not get influenced. I liked how they portraited the characters differently, so there is a contrast between people. For example, Suzanne and Simon, one is very weak and one is very strong. They both experienced the loss of a very important family member, but still they have different emotions. I enjoyed reading different perspectives, because it gives me this new idea or feeling for this one specific character. I would recommend this to many other teens, because it is a book that actually talks about teen issues that anyone can be facing at all times; family issue, drugs, love, life. Overall, i really liked reading this book.
I thought this book was too emotional, because it was kind of overwhelming having to do with so much problems at the same time. But i liked this book because it was told with different perspective and it gives me this ohh moment when i found out that simon actually knows how Lily had a crush on him for a while. Also, i was just gasping how Lily is so smart but she can actually be friends with Noah and not get influenced. I liked how they portraited the characters differently, so there is a contrast between people. For example, Suzanne and Simon, one is very weak and one is very strong. They both experienced the loss of a very important family member, but still they have different emotions. I enjoyed reading different perspectives, because it gives me this new idea or feeling for this one specific character. I would recommend this to many other teens, because it is a book that actually talks about teen issues that anyone can be facing at all times; family issue, drugs, love, life. Overall, i really liked reading this book.
October 31, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 is, well, a bit different. And I must say, I like different. The story follows Noah, Lily, and Simon and is mostly told from their three perspectives. Noah loves Lily who only has eyes for Simon who really doesn't give a crap. As they enter high school, it's as if time is moving too fast, too many things are happening simultaneously, and the once tight trio is being pulled apart at the seams. I felt like this is the same story of so many of our own lives, the ever-changing world around us and the way we deal - or don't deal - with it.
Thanks to 1 ARC Tours, I was able to read this copy before its release. Ideally I would have posted this review closer to that date, but this was a novel I had to digest slowly. When I finished it I sort of felt a bit shell-shocked and actually waited several days before starting anything new, which is most unlike me. The more I thought, and the more I continue to think about it, the more I appreciate its freshness. Steve Brezenoff's debut is raw and gritty and you can't read it without feeling a little dirty by the end. That said, it was painfully realistic and one of the best contemporary YA novels I've read this year. Who doesn't like a little dirt sometimes?
I was just talking the other day about my love for dual narratives, and this is another perfect example. It's technically not a dual narrative because there are actually four perspectives throughout the book, but you get the idea. The story begins with Lily, then we hear from Noah, and finally we end with Simon. These three voices are sandwiched by brief thoughts from Suzanne, Simon's older sister. As the story moves from voice to voice, things that were fuzzy become clear and each character becomes more human in the eyes of the reader. I must admit that during Lily's narrative, I was not a big fan. But as the story moved on to Noah and Simon, I really started to love her through their eyes. I almost wish the story would have circled back to her, but don't worry - it's kind of perfect the way it is.
With the recent fantasy craze (I'm a fan, too!), The Absolute Value of -1 is an excellent example of the greatness that can be found in contemporary YA. So the next time you need a break from faeries and dragons or if contempt is normally more your thing, consider picking up a copy of Steve Brezenoff's debut.
Read more reviews like this one at http://www.bookmarkedblog.com
Thanks to 1 ARC Tours, I was able to read this copy before its release. Ideally I would have posted this review closer to that date, but this was a novel I had to digest slowly. When I finished it I sort of felt a bit shell-shocked and actually waited several days before starting anything new, which is most unlike me. The more I thought, and the more I continue to think about it, the more I appreciate its freshness. Steve Brezenoff's debut is raw and gritty and you can't read it without feeling a little dirty by the end. That said, it was painfully realistic and one of the best contemporary YA novels I've read this year. Who doesn't like a little dirt sometimes?
I was just talking the other day about my love for dual narratives, and this is another perfect example. It's technically not a dual narrative because there are actually four perspectives throughout the book, but you get the idea. The story begins with Lily, then we hear from Noah, and finally we end with Simon. These three voices are sandwiched by brief thoughts from Suzanne, Simon's older sister. As the story moves from voice to voice, things that were fuzzy become clear and each character becomes more human in the eyes of the reader. I must admit that during Lily's narrative, I was not a big fan. But as the story moved on to Noah and Simon, I really started to love her through their eyes. I almost wish the story would have circled back to her, but don't worry - it's kind of perfect the way it is.
With the recent fantasy craze (I'm a fan, too!), The Absolute Value of -1 is an excellent example of the greatness that can be found in contemporary YA. So the next time you need a break from faeries and dragons or if contempt is normally more your thing, consider picking up a copy of Steve Brezenoff's debut.
Read more reviews like this one at http://www.bookmarkedblog.com
August 9, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 was angst galore. But that's okay, because I embrace Angst like the old frenemy he is. So, no problems on that front at all. The Absolute Value of -1 takes everything that made you ache and hurt in high school and puts it right up there for everyone to see and feel all over again. It makes you realize that the hurt and heartache you were suffering...is pretty much a staple in high school life. Yep, high school. It's almost always angsty and very rarely all pretty.
The main characters Lily, Noah, and Simon are the typical kids you wave to in high school, or glance at with annoyance, or just avoid like the plague really. These three teens are dealing with a love triangle of sorts (anybody else getting horrible Dawson's Creek flashbacks?). Guy likes Girl, Girl likes Other Guy, and Other Guy really doesn't give a shit about either Girl or Guy. It's poetic if you really think about it. However, this really isn't your typical Love Triangle Romance novel because said triangle is really just a small part of the overall story. Most of their angst isn't coming from your typical teen romance, but mainly from their home lives which range from terrible (Guy) to Okay (Girl) to "Wow, can things get more screwy?" (Other Guy). Their pain is all very real and very cringe-worthy.
The Absolute Value of -1 is not written in the typical YA fashion. It has Lily, Noah, and Simon narrating one part of the book respectively and then you have Suzanne (Simon's sister) who narrates a small part at the very beginning and a smaller part at the very end. With exception of Suzanne, they're all telling the same events through their eyes, with major bits left out of the other narratives because they weren't really known by those particular narrators. I was very surprised that the book was far from repetitive. With every new narrator, there was something else revealed, some new facet of the narrator's personality, and it was fascinating.
So, The Absolute Value of -1 was a pretty angsty, yet poignant read. A couple of parts also had me cringing and squicking, but I guess that's natural reaction to some things that happened. The only thing that bothered me was that we didn't get into Suzanne's inner thoughts as much as the other characters (but I understand that this wasn't her story, she was merely a part of it). Overall, it was an extremely quick read and I'm glad I read it.
The main characters Lily, Noah, and Simon are the typical kids you wave to in high school, or glance at with annoyance, or just avoid like the plague really. These three teens are dealing with a love triangle of sorts (anybody else getting horrible Dawson's Creek flashbacks?). Guy likes Girl, Girl likes Other Guy, and Other Guy really doesn't give a shit about either Girl or Guy. It's poetic if you really think about it. However, this really isn't your typical Love Triangle Romance novel because said triangle is really just a small part of the overall story. Most of their angst isn't coming from your typical teen romance, but mainly from their home lives which range from terrible (Guy) to Okay (Girl) to "Wow, can things get more screwy?" (Other Guy). Their pain is all very real and very cringe-worthy.
The Absolute Value of -1 is not written in the typical YA fashion. It has Lily, Noah, and Simon narrating one part of the book respectively and then you have Suzanne (Simon's sister) who narrates a small part at the very beginning and a smaller part at the very end. With exception of Suzanne, they're all telling the same events through their eyes, with major bits left out of the other narratives because they weren't really known by those particular narrators. I was very surprised that the book was far from repetitive. With every new narrator, there was something else revealed, some new facet of the narrator's personality, and it was fascinating.
So, The Absolute Value of -1 was a pretty angsty, yet poignant read. A couple of parts also had me cringing and squicking, but I guess that's natural reaction to some things that happened. The only thing that bothered me was that we didn't get into Suzanne's inner thoughts as much as the other characters (but I understand that this wasn't her story, she was merely a part of it). Overall, it was an extremely quick read and I'm glad I read it.
August 12, 2012
The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff
How I heard about the book: I was wandering my library one day looking for a book. This one kind of just intrigued me.
Summary: (from Goodreads) Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent’s illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.
In his luminous YA novel, Steve Brezenoff explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.
My thoughts: Interesting read…. but some parts of it had me wishing I had left it on the shelf but that was most likely due to the fact that it was so honest it became depressing to see how cruel reality can be.
Good/Liked-
Honesty- There was no sugar coating, fake charming characters, or foofy fairy tale endings here. It was realistic and I appreciate that. I often find myself hating a book because it is just way too unrealistic and not relatable.
Writing- It had a good flow and each character was given a different distinguishable voice through the story.
Depth- The psychology behind each character is so intriguing. You begin to see and understand why each character is they way they are due to their own personal inner struggles and family life at home.
Bad/Disliked-
A tad depressing- This really is no fairy tale. This book shows you just how cruel reality can really be and coming to that realization is a tough thing to do.
Overall: Painfully honest and realistic. I am still torn between whether I should have read it or not.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to older teens and young adults. It is very deep and deals with some serious themes and things that younger children might not understand unless they themselves have gone through similar situations.
Rating: I give this book a 3 out of 5
How I heard about the book: I was wandering my library one day looking for a book. This one kind of just intrigued me.
Summary: (from Goodreads) Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent’s illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.
In his luminous YA novel, Steve Brezenoff explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.
My thoughts: Interesting read…. but some parts of it had me wishing I had left it on the shelf but that was most likely due to the fact that it was so honest it became depressing to see how cruel reality can be.
Good/Liked-
Honesty- There was no sugar coating, fake charming characters, or foofy fairy tale endings here. It was realistic and I appreciate that. I often find myself hating a book because it is just way too unrealistic and not relatable.
Writing- It had a good flow and each character was given a different distinguishable voice through the story.
Depth- The psychology behind each character is so intriguing. You begin to see and understand why each character is they way they are due to their own personal inner struggles and family life at home.
Bad/Disliked-
A tad depressing- This really is no fairy tale. This book shows you just how cruel reality can really be and coming to that realization is a tough thing to do.
Overall: Painfully honest and realistic. I am still torn between whether I should have read it or not.
Recommendations: I would recommend this book to older teens and young adults. It is very deep and deals with some serious themes and things that younger children might not understand unless they themselves have gone through similar situations.
Rating: I give this book a 3 out of 5
September 22, 2010
Why I read this: It sounded interesting, simple as that.
How is the novel driven: It's all about the characters - this is the story of Noah, Lily and Simon who are friends in some ways and yet not friends in others and it's told from each of their points of view, so it's all character.
My thoughts: I couldn't write my review of this one right after I finished it. I admit I don't write most of my reviews right after I finish the book, but with this one I needed to think about the book for awhile. Why? Because it is so real that it made me stop and think. Yes there are a lot of YA books out there that look at teenagers just like they are, but there are just as many that aren't completely real. Neither one is better than the other, but when a book like this comes along, it just makes me think.
Told from the point of view of three apparent friends, Lily, Noah and Simon, you get each ones' views on the friendship, their own life and that of their friends. Lily's life is in a downward spiral, one she freely admits at the beginning she could have stopped. Noah's life is at the bottom and has been for awhile. Simon, he's somewhere in-between and until his story is told (and his is told last) you aren't really sure where Simon is. It's an interesting contrast of a book, showing the story from all sides. Showing how what one person sees can be different from what actually is. I found the book fascinating. It was hard to put down and hard to read at the same time. Hard to read because of the harshness of these kids' lives. It's all there in black and white and this isn't a happy story, but it is a worthwhile story.
I finished The Absolute Value of -1 almost 3 weeks ago but it has stuck with me. If you like a serious YA novel from time-to-time or all the time, I highly recommend this one. I enjoyed this book and it will continue to stay with me and hopefully make me aware as my sons become teenagers of things going on in their lives. Steve Brezenoff writes an amazing story and does a great job getting into the heads of these three teenagers and keeping the book moving along for the readers' enjoyment.
My Rating: 4.5/5.0
How is the novel driven: It's all about the characters - this is the story of Noah, Lily and Simon who are friends in some ways and yet not friends in others and it's told from each of their points of view, so it's all character.
My thoughts: I couldn't write my review of this one right after I finished it. I admit I don't write most of my reviews right after I finish the book, but with this one I needed to think about the book for awhile. Why? Because it is so real that it made me stop and think. Yes there are a lot of YA books out there that look at teenagers just like they are, but there are just as many that aren't completely real. Neither one is better than the other, but when a book like this comes along, it just makes me think.
Told from the point of view of three apparent friends, Lily, Noah and Simon, you get each ones' views on the friendship, their own life and that of their friends. Lily's life is in a downward spiral, one she freely admits at the beginning she could have stopped. Noah's life is at the bottom and has been for awhile. Simon, he's somewhere in-between and until his story is told (and his is told last) you aren't really sure where Simon is. It's an interesting contrast of a book, showing the story from all sides. Showing how what one person sees can be different from what actually is. I found the book fascinating. It was hard to put down and hard to read at the same time. Hard to read because of the harshness of these kids' lives. It's all there in black and white and this isn't a happy story, but it is a worthwhile story.
I finished The Absolute Value of -1 almost 3 weeks ago but it has stuck with me. If you like a serious YA novel from time-to-time or all the time, I highly recommend this one. I enjoyed this book and it will continue to stay with me and hopefully make me aware as my sons become teenagers of things going on in their lives. Steve Brezenoff writes an amazing story and does a great job getting into the heads of these three teenagers and keeping the book moving along for the readers' enjoyment.
My Rating: 4.5/5.0
August 6, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 is a book about three teenager's, Noah, Lilly and Simon,relationships, and how they change as they grow older along with their perception of the world and the way it works.This is a book about their lives.
I know that you are all probably thinking that you've read books with a similar, if not the same, theme before.But I would suggest that you don't think about all the other books you've read on the subject and read this one with an open mind.
I liked The Absolute Value of -1 very much!I loved the writing- no disrespect to YA novels but this book was so eloquently written,I mistook it for an adult novel!I'll be on the lookout for any other books by Brezenoff!Because even when I think that a story is weak, I always enjoy and value a book that is brilliantly written.
I loved the characters-the same story is re-told in each chapter from Noah's , Lilly's and Simon's POV.I always like it when the author uses different POVs for one story because not only there is a sense of objectivity when you get to hear different opinions but also it keeps you from getting tired of a story that is always around one person. I liked all the characters, although some were portrayed less than others.
The only thing I didn't like about The Absolute Value of -1 is the ending.It was a bit anticlimactic, considering the strong and very shocking beginning, making you even more anxious to find out what happens in the end, therefore making you feel even more disappointed by the very simple and blunt ending.
Overall, The Absolute Value Of -1 is a wonderfully written book about changes and how some of them we can control and makes us different and better and some of them which are just out of our reach, are the hardest to take in and can sometimes break us completely.
I recommend it to every person who has problems at home or at school or simply with themselves.
I know that you are all probably thinking that you've read books with a similar, if not the same, theme before.But I would suggest that you don't think about all the other books you've read on the subject and read this one with an open mind.
I liked The Absolute Value of -1 very much!I loved the writing- no disrespect to YA novels but this book was so eloquently written,I mistook it for an adult novel!I'll be on the lookout for any other books by Brezenoff!Because even when I think that a story is weak, I always enjoy and value a book that is brilliantly written.
I loved the characters-the same story is re-told in each chapter from Noah's , Lilly's and Simon's POV.I always like it when the author uses different POVs for one story because not only there is a sense of objectivity when you get to hear different opinions but also it keeps you from getting tired of a story that is always around one person. I liked all the characters, although some were portrayed less than others.
The only thing I didn't like about The Absolute Value of -1 is the ending.It was a bit anticlimactic, considering the strong and very shocking beginning, making you even more anxious to find out what happens in the end, therefore making you feel even more disappointed by the very simple and blunt ending.
Overall, The Absolute Value Of -1 is a wonderfully written book about changes and how some of them we can control and makes us different and better and some of them which are just out of our reach, are the hardest to take in and can sometimes break us completely.
I recommend it to every person who has problems at home or at school or simply with themselves.
October 15, 2010
I can honestly say I don’t remember ever reading a book quite like THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1. Told in four points of view, the book follows three friends, Lily, Simon and Noah, through a few months of their grade ten school year. The story is raw, honest and unapologetic. Lily, Simon and Noah exist in (what we called in high school) the “druggie” clique. All three smoke (cigarettes and weed), skip school and drink, are all quite smart and in Lily’s and Simon’s cases were/are on team sports. It’s not one or the other with these teens; they’re well rounded!
The story is literally a snap shot of life for these three friends, with all the ups, downs, tragedies and loves that come with high school. The main plot idea that I picked up on? What’s wrong with Simon. Throughout Lily’s and Noah’s sections, the reader is pulled in to the idea that something is up with Simon – that he’s different, and broody. The prologue and epilogue are told from the point of view of Suzanne, Simon’s sister, and it’s through Simon that everything we’re being shown comes together.
The best part of this book? The differences in events as seen through each teen. All three points of view start off at roughly the same time period, and the majority of the events are within each section, with Simon’s view continuing on past where Lily’s and Noah’s stops (because of this, I’d say Simon is probably more of the “main” character, with Lily and Noah being amazing supporting characters). Steve Brezenoff captured the small differences that come with different people each telling their side of a story, and each of the friends has their own distinct and wonderful voice. THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1 is definitely worth the read!
The story is literally a snap shot of life for these three friends, with all the ups, downs, tragedies and loves that come with high school. The main plot idea that I picked up on? What’s wrong with Simon. Throughout Lily’s and Noah’s sections, the reader is pulled in to the idea that something is up with Simon – that he’s different, and broody. The prologue and epilogue are told from the point of view of Suzanne, Simon’s sister, and it’s through Simon that everything we’re being shown comes together.
The best part of this book? The differences in events as seen through each teen. All three points of view start off at roughly the same time period, and the majority of the events are within each section, with Simon’s view continuing on past where Lily’s and Noah’s stops (because of this, I’d say Simon is probably more of the “main” character, with Lily and Noah being amazing supporting characters). Steve Brezenoff captured the small differences that come with different people each telling their side of a story, and each of the friends has their own distinct and wonderful voice. THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1 is definitely worth the read!
September 26, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 was an original and unique young adult debut novel that was very different than anything I’ve read before.
For starters, it was told in four different perspectives: Suzanne, Noah, Lily, and Simon. I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and to learn about their opinions on each other and their different experiences. Simon had the biggest section and, by the end, I felt I knew his character the most. He had been through a tough time and his life was by no means perfect. Noah, Lily, and Simon were basically caught in a love triangle. Noah liked Lily who liked Simon who liked someone completely different. I felt the strong emotions between the different characters and all of them were dealing with a lot. Noah, Lily, and Simon were all outcasts who banded together and became best friends by sharing cigarettes and cutting class.
Steve truly made each of his characters so believable. While I couldn’t really relate to any of them I felt a connection to each and every one of them by the end. It was an emotional read and my heart went out to Noah, Lily, and Simon.
The plot was fast paced and something new was happening on every page. There were a variety of plot twists and I was always on the edge of my seat wanting to know how things would work out for each of the characters. The ending was a little abrupt and I really want to know more about what happened to Noah, Lily, Simon, and Suzanne.
Steve Brezenoff is definitely an author to watch. He knows how to write a complex and emotional story that will draw readers in from the first page. While the plot may have been a little rushed, his characters were extremely memorable. I can’t wait to see what he writes next!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
For starters, it was told in four different perspectives: Suzanne, Noah, Lily, and Simon. I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and to learn about their opinions on each other and their different experiences. Simon had the biggest section and, by the end, I felt I knew his character the most. He had been through a tough time and his life was by no means perfect. Noah, Lily, and Simon were basically caught in a love triangle. Noah liked Lily who liked Simon who liked someone completely different. I felt the strong emotions between the different characters and all of them were dealing with a lot. Noah, Lily, and Simon were all outcasts who banded together and became best friends by sharing cigarettes and cutting class.
Steve truly made each of his characters so believable. While I couldn’t really relate to any of them I felt a connection to each and every one of them by the end. It was an emotional read and my heart went out to Noah, Lily, and Simon.
The plot was fast paced and something new was happening on every page. There were a variety of plot twists and I was always on the edge of my seat wanting to know how things would work out for each of the characters. The ending was a little abrupt and I really want to know more about what happened to Noah, Lily, Simon, and Suzanne.
Steve Brezenoff is definitely an author to watch. He knows how to write a complex and emotional story that will draw readers in from the first page. While the plot may have been a little rushed, his characters were extremely memorable. I can’t wait to see what he writes next!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
December 1, 2010
The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff
Lerner, 2010
289 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Summary: Told from multiple perspectives, looking at the entwined lives of four young people as they try to live their lives.
Thoughts: It opens with someone named Suzanne in a way that confused me. Then it jumps to the first part with Lily sharing about her awful family and telling her story about her love for Simon; I really identified with her feelings about the boy even though her copious drug use was off-putting. Unfortunately her feelings are not reciprocated; we get more insight in to why during Simon's section.
Then it goes to misguided drug dealer Noah who likes Lily/Lily's chest but knows no way of wooing her; not that it would matter because he can see that she's crazy for Simon, his best friend. His family life is also awful with a father who likes to beat on his mother and seems to hate him.
Then we go to the longest section of the book which is told from Simon's point of view. He writes stream of conscious stories (blech) and his father has cancer, which is the catalyst for Simon making a complete 180 from a loser stoner to runner with a runner girlfriend. I already didn't like Simon for breaking Lily's heart but I can understand it a bit more.
I don't think this is really my kind of book as it's almost too realistic (maybe I'm sheltered-do teenagers really smoke so many cigarettes and pot? My friends and I certainly didn't) with teens dealing with many difficult issues and there's no happy ending. I much prefer funny books with a happily ever after-that is not found here.
Overall: Not my taste. But still well-written and interesting.
Lerner, 2010
289 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Summary: Told from multiple perspectives, looking at the entwined lives of four young people as they try to live their lives.
Thoughts: It opens with someone named Suzanne in a way that confused me. Then it jumps to the first part with Lily sharing about her awful family and telling her story about her love for Simon; I really identified with her feelings about the boy even though her copious drug use was off-putting. Unfortunately her feelings are not reciprocated; we get more insight in to why during Simon's section.
Then it goes to misguided drug dealer Noah who likes Lily/Lily's chest but knows no way of wooing her; not that it would matter because he can see that she's crazy for Simon, his best friend. His family life is also awful with a father who likes to beat on his mother and seems to hate him.
Then we go to the longest section of the book which is told from Simon's point of view. He writes stream of conscious stories (blech) and his father has cancer, which is the catalyst for Simon making a complete 180 from a loser stoner to runner with a runner girlfriend. I already didn't like Simon for breaking Lily's heart but I can understand it a bit more.
I don't think this is really my kind of book as it's almost too realistic (maybe I'm sheltered-do teenagers really smoke so many cigarettes and pot? My friends and I certainly didn't) with teens dealing with many difficult issues and there's no happy ending. I much prefer funny books with a happily ever after-that is not found here.
Overall: Not my taste. But still well-written and interesting.
October 4, 2018
-SPOILERS-
This book was weeeeeird. I don't understand what the point of it was? It has three perspectives but when it gets to the third it kind of just goes "screw those first two perspectives, this 3rd dude is the REAL main character!" and the first two characters basically are cut out of the story. I'm also not sure what the overall message I'm supposed to take from this is. It was vaguely anti-smoking/drinking, vaguely Catcher in the Rye wannabe, and WEIRDEST OF ALL it had incest. Like, completely out of nowhere, in the last few chapters. I did not sign up for that.
I really disliked the Lily and Noah characters so I was relieved when the last half was about Simon who I found way more relate-able and likable. Lily and Noah were typical burnouts which, I don't like those kinds of people to begin with, but on top of that they were mean? Lily was the type of female character that hates other girls for existing. The writing for her was also the cringey type of writing where you can tell a male wrote it (nobody thinks about their own boobs that much). Noah was an irredeemable pervert and I feel like his abuse plotline went nowhere.
I enjoyed Simon's perspective the most of the three because he reminded me of myself, quiet and awkward in public but a completely different person around his family. I really enjoyed seeing a male character showing so much affection to his family members...UNTIL THEY HAD TO GO AND MAKE IT CREEPY WTF. I kept thinking "well okay, that's kind of weird but it's just family love" but at the end Simon is kissing his sister passionately and their dad just died!? Honestly, what was the author thinking? What is this supposed to teach the teens it's aimed to?
I was just kind of in disbelief the whole day lol. What a weird book.
This book was weeeeeird. I don't understand what the point of it was? It has three perspectives but when it gets to the third it kind of just goes "screw those first two perspectives, this 3rd dude is the REAL main character!" and the first two characters basically are cut out of the story. I'm also not sure what the overall message I'm supposed to take from this is. It was vaguely anti-smoking/drinking, vaguely Catcher in the Rye wannabe, and WEIRDEST OF ALL it had incest. Like, completely out of nowhere, in the last few chapters. I did not sign up for that.
I really disliked the Lily and Noah characters so I was relieved when the last half was about Simon who I found way more relate-able and likable. Lily and Noah were typical burnouts which, I don't like those kinds of people to begin with, but on top of that they were mean? Lily was the type of female character that hates other girls for existing. The writing for her was also the cringey type of writing where you can tell a male wrote it (nobody thinks about their own boobs that much). Noah was an irredeemable pervert and I feel like his abuse plotline went nowhere.
I enjoyed Simon's perspective the most of the three because he reminded me of myself, quiet and awkward in public but a completely different person around his family. I really enjoyed seeing a male character showing so much affection to his family members...UNTIL THEY HAD TO GO AND MAKE IT CREEPY WTF. I kept thinking "well okay, that's kind of weird but it's just family love" but at the end Simon is kissing his sister passionately and their dad just died!? Honestly, what was the author thinking? What is this supposed to teach the teens it's aimed to?
I was just kind of in disbelief the whole day lol. What a weird book.
January 2, 2012
From shutupimreading.blogspot.com
Going into The Absolute Value of -1, I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I'd heard it was good and it was about three friends. Aside from that, I had no real idea what it was even about. Luckily, it didn't matter because I ended up liking it anyway.
-1 is told in three parts, each with a different narrator that each had a different and (really) authentic voice. Going into a part, I would dislike a character...until I read their narration. All three characters are each so confused and abandoned and how could anyone not end up liking them?
So, in all honestly, the plot was a tad thin. It was very character-driven. Did I care? Um, NO. From page one the writing and characters hooked me and then kept me reading until 2:30 AM reading, trying to figure out how it ended.
And when I read how it ended, I was pissed! There was no ending! It was just...done! Argh! And I don't think there will be a sequel. (Though if there was a sequel I would definitely read it.)
Overall, The Absolute Value of -1 was a fascinating and wonderfully written novel about family, friends, choices, love, life, growing up, and--what I found to be a very cool aspect of it--how people perceive people and things differently than others. It wasn't perfect, no, but it was still pretty awesome.
Book Report:
Plot: Kinda thin.
Characters: Awesome! I would've liked more Noah...
Writing: Preeeetty amazing.
Ending: WHAT ENDING?! I DON'T REMEMBER AN ENDING!
Kid friendly? There's a lot of swearing, talk of sex and masturbation, and heavy pot and cigarette smoking.
Should I read it? I don't think some people will like it, but I did.
Overall: 4 stars
Going into The Absolute Value of -1, I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I'd heard it was good and it was about three friends. Aside from that, I had no real idea what it was even about. Luckily, it didn't matter because I ended up liking it anyway.
-1 is told in three parts, each with a different narrator that each had a different and (really) authentic voice. Going into a part, I would dislike a character...until I read their narration. All three characters are each so confused and abandoned and how could anyone not end up liking them?
So, in all honestly, the plot was a tad thin. It was very character-driven. Did I care? Um, NO. From page one the writing and characters hooked me and then kept me reading until 2:30 AM reading, trying to figure out how it ended.
And when I read how it ended, I was pissed! There was no ending! It was just...done! Argh! And I don't think there will be a sequel. (Though if there was a sequel I would definitely read it.)
Overall, The Absolute Value of -1 was a fascinating and wonderfully written novel about family, friends, choices, love, life, growing up, and--what I found to be a very cool aspect of it--how people perceive people and things differently than others. It wasn't perfect, no, but it was still pretty awesome.
Book Report:
Plot: Kinda thin.
Characters: Awesome! I would've liked more Noah...
Writing: Preeeetty amazing.
Ending: WHAT ENDING?! I DON'T REMEMBER AN ENDING!
Kid friendly? There's a lot of swearing, talk of sex and masturbation, and heavy pot and cigarette smoking.
Should I read it? I don't think some people will like it, but I did.
Overall: 4 stars
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