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We Come Apart
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Poetry (2017)From two acclaimed authors comes an emotional story told in verse about friendship, love, and overcoming unbeatable odds.Authors Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan have joined forces to tell the story of Nicu and Jess, two troubled teens whose paths cross in the unlikeliest of places.Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in his new home. Meanwhile, Jess's home life is overshadowed by violence. When Nicu and Jess meet, what starts out as friendship grows into romance as the two bond over their painful pasts and hopeful futures. But will they be able to save each other, let alone themselves?For fans of Una LaMarche’s Like No Other, this illuminating story told in dual points of view through vibrant verse will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page.
326 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2017
76 people are currently reading
8962 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Crossan
22 books2,026 followersSarah Crossan is Irish. She graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Literature before training as an English and Drama teacher at Cambridge University and worked to promote creative writing in schools before leaving teaching to write full time.
She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.
She currently lives in NYC.
She completed her Masters in Creative Writing at the University of Warwick in 2003 and in 2010 received an Edward Albee Fellowship for writing.
She currently lives in NYC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 670 reviews
February 6, 2017
This book is definitely coming out at the right time (with what's happening around the world right now) and its message is immensely powerful.
It follows two unlikely friends as they meet and get to know each other as a part of a juvenile reform course due to both Nicu and Jess being caught shoplifting. Nicu has recently emigrated to the UK from Romania and Jess lives in an unsafe and abusive home.
As this book isn't officially released yet, I'll just list the things that really stuck out for me:
- the look into Nicu's mind as he navigates his way in a new country and how hard it is to be in an unfamiliar environment and having to learn a new language, especially when no one gives you a chance (as is often the case in this book).
- It's also a glance behind those kids who act up in class. I often always thought as a kid, 'Why don't they just stop and do what they're told? Why are they so naughty?' etc., when there is ALWAYS a reason, even if it isn't always apparent to you. Having a look inside Jess's mind on why she did the things that she did was incredibly eye-opening.
- the way that teachers treated Nicu was absolutely despicable. Not even giving him the time of day, not even a smile and always assuming the worst of him was absolutely heartbreaking to read. A teacher can literally make or break a student.
- It's told in dual perspective and in verse, and to be honest it felt like the wrong format. I honestly don't understand why it was told in verse and it certainly didn't bring anything to the table for me.
- Another thing I was unsure about was the writing from Nicu's perspective. It felt almost wrong to be reading the disjointed English and the innermost thoughts of Nicu when he was written by a white man (I'm assuming Brian wrote Nicu). I'm still unsure how I feel about this because while the message of the book is super important, it just felt a little weird to me if that makes sense.
- The ending was absolutely gut-wrenching. Prepare yourself.
It follows two unlikely friends as they meet and get to know each other as a part of a juvenile reform course due to both Nicu and Jess being caught shoplifting. Nicu has recently emigrated to the UK from Romania and Jess lives in an unsafe and abusive home.
As this book isn't officially released yet, I'll just list the things that really stuck out for me:
- the look into Nicu's mind as he navigates his way in a new country and how hard it is to be in an unfamiliar environment and having to learn a new language, especially when no one gives you a chance (as is often the case in this book).
- It's also a glance behind those kids who act up in class. I often always thought as a kid, 'Why don't they just stop and do what they're told? Why are they so naughty?' etc., when there is ALWAYS a reason, even if it isn't always apparent to you. Having a look inside Jess's mind on why she did the things that she did was incredibly eye-opening.
- the way that teachers treated Nicu was absolutely despicable. Not even giving him the time of day, not even a smile and always assuming the worst of him was absolutely heartbreaking to read. A teacher can literally make or break a student.
- It's told in dual perspective and in verse, and to be honest it felt like the wrong format. I honestly don't understand why it was told in verse and it certainly didn't bring anything to the table for me.
- Another thing I was unsure about was the writing from Nicu's perspective. It felt almost wrong to be reading the disjointed English and the innermost thoughts of Nicu when he was written by a white man (I'm assuming Brian wrote Nicu). I'm still unsure how I feel about this because while the message of the book is super important, it just felt a little weird to me if that makes sense.
- The ending was absolutely gut-wrenching. Prepare yourself.
March 24, 2017
‘But I want to stay here.’ I praying to them.
‘Here, what is here?’ Tata say. ‘People hate us here.’
‘Nicu, people here only see our skin, not the thing
within,’ Mamica say,
We Come Apart is a very heartbreaking novel beautifully written in verse about friendship and love. The themes of immigration, racism, abuse, and bullying are all very prominent to the story as well. It is a quick read that took me no more than a couple hours. The characters are strong, well-developed and real. While I felt emotions and was invested in the story, I'm still not sure what the authors were trying to say. I can certainly enjoy verse in novels. I loved One by Sarah Crossan, but the verse worked more effectively there. It didn't add anything to the story here. And it made things a little more difficult with Nicu's narration since his was written in broken English to begin with. Some passages did feel very powerful like this one:
When I watching television movies
all actors
speak too speedy
for my comprehending,
and I thinking
it be mission impossible
to learn this language
with fluent.
It so much frustrating
when words can’t escape my head,
when peoples not
understand my meanings.
All I want
is for them to see how
I am fun,
clever
and
nice guy.
I afraid no one
ever know who I am.
The story follows two troubled teens whose lives come together in a Reparation scheme they were both put in to avoid criminal records. It is basically community service and self-development sessions. Nicu and his parents emigrated from Romania to England. They are here to earn enough money to pay the family of a bride in Romania and marry Nicu off. Jess lives with her mom and abusive stepdad. Both characters feel stuck in their lives, but when they meet...their lives will change.
I love the ending for all it's ambiguity. It would have been nice if there was more of a clear-cut message to take away when such important themes were being discussed. Also, I started the story very confused while trying to figure out who was narrating when. There aren't any names at the beginning or labels on the chapters to let you know who exactly is starting. Once I figured it out, it was fairly obvious. If you enjoy quick stories about friendship that will quite possibly break your heart, you might want to read We Come Apart.
February 7, 2017
This was a quick pleasant read. I can't give it more than three stars though because I had quite a few issues with it. It is such a relevant book though and so I think people should read it.
I'll start off with the good! Nicu was a lovely character. He was so adorable and sweet, I loved him! I'm not sure which author wrote Nicu's POV but it was amazing. The author completely submerged themselves into writing this character and I found Nicu was done very well. I would like to know who wrote Nicu so if anyone knows, please comment on my review and tell me! I absolutely adored reading the broken English because Nicu put things in such an unusual way and some of it was really beautiful. So Nicu and the writing of Nicu was spot on for me. Another good thing about this book was the way the racism was portrayed. People were so cruel to Nicu because of his skin colour and because he was Romanian. It wasn't just students who were malicious but teachers and adults too. I don't know how people can be so awful to others just because of their skin colour, their religion or their place of origin etc but that prejudice is everywhere these days. So many people are for Brexit, the Muslim ban, the wall etc because they don't want foreigners in their country. It's absolutely ridiculous and this book portrays just a bit of that hate towards Nicu & his family.
The mediocre - the writing as a whole. Verse is usually hit or miss with me. This unfortunately was a miss for me. It just didn't add anything to the book. I did like how it was quick. Verse usually skips all the waffle and jumps right into the story and focuses on what's important so I enjoyed that aspect but on a whole, it was just okay. I also didn't really like Jess. She made it hard to like her but I did feel bad for her. I didn't enjoy her chapters as much as I enjoyed Nicu's.
The bad - the ending. I just didn't understand it. Maybe I'm not supposed to understand it but I didn't like the end either. While I was reading this, I felt like something like that would happen but I was hoping I was wrong.
I would recommend this book if you're in the mood for a fast young adult book.
* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicu's cute descriptions -
"My hair stick to me like I step out of deep blue sea."
"She not believe I am wild animal like other delinquents. Because I not wild animal. I am pussy cat."
"And when these TAKING THE PISS things happen, I always search for the special eyes of Jess. Always I search."
"My body goes wobbly."
"I want to jump, cheer, whoop. Sit on nine clouds."
"In movie we touching elbows together: gentleness, delightness. And it feel like voltage speeding through my body."
"I dream of my heart beating on top of Jess heart. So we beat like one."
~~~~
"‘Nicu, people here only see our skin, not the thing within,’"
I'll start off with the good! Nicu was a lovely character. He was so adorable and sweet, I loved him! I'm not sure which author wrote Nicu's POV but it was amazing. The author completely submerged themselves into writing this character and I found Nicu was done very well. I would like to know who wrote Nicu so if anyone knows, please comment on my review and tell me! I absolutely adored reading the broken English because Nicu put things in such an unusual way and some of it was really beautiful. So Nicu and the writing of Nicu was spot on for me. Another good thing about this book was the way the racism was portrayed. People were so cruel to Nicu because of his skin colour and because he was Romanian. It wasn't just students who were malicious but teachers and adults too. I don't know how people can be so awful to others just because of their skin colour, their religion or their place of origin etc but that prejudice is everywhere these days. So many people are for Brexit, the Muslim ban, the wall etc because they don't want foreigners in their country. It's absolutely ridiculous and this book portrays just a bit of that hate towards Nicu & his family.
The mediocre - the writing as a whole. Verse is usually hit or miss with me. This unfortunately was a miss for me. It just didn't add anything to the book. I did like how it was quick. Verse usually skips all the waffle and jumps right into the story and focuses on what's important so I enjoyed that aspect but on a whole, it was just okay. I also didn't really like Jess. She made it hard to like her but I did feel bad for her. I didn't enjoy her chapters as much as I enjoyed Nicu's.
The bad - the ending. I just didn't understand it. Maybe I'm not supposed to understand it but I didn't like the end either. While I was reading this, I felt like something like that would happen but I was hoping I was wrong.
I would recommend this book if you're in the mood for a fast young adult book.
* I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nicu's cute descriptions -
"My hair stick to me like I step out of deep blue sea."
"She not believe I am wild animal like other delinquents. Because I not wild animal. I am pussy cat."
"And when these TAKING THE PISS things happen, I always search for the special eyes of Jess. Always I search."
"My body goes wobbly."
"I want to jump, cheer, whoop. Sit on nine clouds."
"In movie we touching elbows together: gentleness, delightness. And it feel like voltage speeding through my body."
"I dream of my heart beating on top of Jess heart. So we beat like one."
~~~~
"‘Nicu, people here only see our skin, not the thing within,’"
February 26, 2018
hardcore skimming from 50% onward
there's nothing technically wrong with this book. i just found it REALLY hard to read through the verse. the plot did nothing for me and i was very uninterested after a few pages.
and its so sad bc i really love sarah crossan's work but sadly this one was a total bust.
also the ending ??? why ???
there's nothing technically wrong with this book. i just found it REALLY hard to read through the verse. the plot did nothing for me and i was very uninterested after a few pages.
and its so sad bc i really love sarah crossan's work but sadly this one was a total bust.
also the ending ??? why ???
February 7, 2017
I read this book in one sitting, and that's not just because of the verse form! For a book that has way less words than your average YA, We Come Apart managed to create characters and scenarios with such depth and reality, I was blown away by how much I could empathise, with so few words to go on.
I loved both Jess and Nicu's voices and how, together, they found themselves, learning that judging someone by appearance or from a first impression is counterproductive to building meaningful relationships.
This did deal with some extremely difficult subjects, like domestic abuse, gang violence, xenophobia and bullying, but if a book doesn't tackle difficult things, it's not really doing it's job! This definitely unsettled both the characters, and me, but I was desperate to know how it was going to end.
I also read this with my sister, Bee, and she described it as a modern tragedy, which I think is absolutely perfect, so if that sounds like something you'd like, Romeo and Juliet without the double suicide, then I couldn't recommend this more!
I loved both Jess and Nicu's voices and how, together, they found themselves, learning that judging someone by appearance or from a first impression is counterproductive to building meaningful relationships.
This did deal with some extremely difficult subjects, like domestic abuse, gang violence, xenophobia and bullying, but if a book doesn't tackle difficult things, it's not really doing it's job! This definitely unsettled both the characters, and me, but I was desperate to know how it was going to end.
I also read this with my sister, Bee, and she described it as a modern tragedy, which I think is absolutely perfect, so if that sounds like something you'd like, Romeo and Juliet without the double suicide, then I couldn't recommend this more!
February 6, 2017
I feel so bad to give this book such a low rating,but rating it any higher would feel like a fraud since my reading experience was terrible and I did not really enjoy it one bit.
I understand if people do find it likeable and I certainly can appreciated some of the ideas that the authors tried to get across,but overall I was enraged from page 1.
As a Romanian emmigrant myself,I found this rather rare representation of others in this position to be infuriating.Again,I do appreciate some of the things the book tried to explore,such as the issues faced by immigrants and the hardships they faced,but I found this representation to be such a painful,overused stereotype.Never in my life have I questioned my identity before,yet this book made me consider who I am as a person and the role my nationality plays in that and for a short moment it made me question and doubt who I am,which is the lowest I have felt about who I am and where I come from and I'm not sure if I'll actually manage to fully pick myself back up after this.
While I'm sure the demographic represented in the book exists and should be represented,I did feel like it was a shameful generalization.Homestly,you mean to imply I worked my ass off getting a diploma of proficiency in the English language and educating myself in all areas that I can just to be perceived as a brute?Because that is disgusting.
My personal experience/connection aside,I didn't really care much for the characters,if at all.I also found the writing style to be very bland.
Overall,really not my cup of tea.
I understand if people do find it likeable and I certainly can appreciated some of the ideas that the authors tried to get across,but overall I was enraged from page 1.
As a Romanian emmigrant myself,I found this rather rare representation of others in this position to be infuriating.Again,I do appreciate some of the things the book tried to explore,such as the issues faced by immigrants and the hardships they faced,but I found this representation to be such a painful,overused stereotype.Never in my life have I questioned my identity before,yet this book made me consider who I am as a person and the role my nationality plays in that and for a short moment it made me question and doubt who I am,which is the lowest I have felt about who I am and where I come from and I'm not sure if I'll actually manage to fully pick myself back up after this.
While I'm sure the demographic represented in the book exists and should be represented,I did feel like it was a shameful generalization.Homestly,you mean to imply I worked my ass off getting a diploma of proficiency in the English language and educating myself in all areas that I can just to be perceived as a brute?Because that is disgusting.
My personal experience/connection aside,I didn't really care much for the characters,if at all.I also found the writing style to be very bland.
Overall,really not my cup of tea.
January 12, 2020
Young Adult novel
▪︎ Thoughts to follow ▪︎
▪︎ Thoughts to follow ▪︎
August 30, 2017
Okay but in all seriousness, where are was the resolution? Y'all forgot to actually end the book.
May 9, 2019
I honestly tried to read this — I got through more than 30% — but I some point I had to say stop.
This could have been a great story, but I couldn't deal with the broken English. Coming from a family of immigrants, I know you never immigrate to a country and suddenly master the language, but this broken English hurt my soul. You have broken and broken. There is a broken English that doesn't sound fake, and it wasn't this one.
Also I didn't really like the verse aspect of this book, it wasn't mind blowing.
This could have been a great story, but I couldn't deal with the broken English. Coming from a family of immigrants, I know you never immigrate to a country and suddenly master the language, but this broken English hurt my soul. You have broken and broken. There is a broken English that doesn't sound fake, and it wasn't this one.
Also I didn't really like the verse aspect of this book, it wasn't mind blowing.
March 7, 2017
One is one of my favourite novels ever (seriously, read it). Like One, We Come Apart is told in free verse but, unlike One, we're introduced to two narrators. Jess's home life is tough and Nicu recently emigrated from Romania. When they're both arrested for theft, Jess and Nicu become unlikely companions. And Jess's friends – who throw racist remarks and abuse at Nicu – won't let them forget it.
We Come Apart is very current. It's not about bullying or racism or abuse – it's about Jess and Nicu – but we see how these affect the two teenagers' lives. We Come Apart is also incredibly sweet. I love books about friends and We Come Apart sees a close friendship develop at different rates. Nicu wants to know more about Jess once he first sets eyes on her whereas Jess needs a little more convincing about Nicu. Due to the free verse and the book's length, the story is fast-moving and we quickly become wrapped up in the lives of these two underdogs.
If a dual-perspective, in my opinion, is done well, we should be able to tell who's speaking without checking. In We Come Apart, there's no need for character headings; it's always easy to tell Nicu's passionate broken English apart from Jess's indignant thoughts. I loved switching between them seamlessly. Poignant, beautiful and captivating, We Come Apart is a short hit straight to the heart.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
We Come Apart is very current. It's not about bullying or racism or abuse – it's about Jess and Nicu – but we see how these affect the two teenagers' lives. We Come Apart is also incredibly sweet. I love books about friends and We Come Apart sees a close friendship develop at different rates. Nicu wants to know more about Jess once he first sets eyes on her whereas Jess needs a little more convincing about Nicu. Due to the free verse and the book's length, the story is fast-moving and we quickly become wrapped up in the lives of these two underdogs.
If a dual-perspective, in my opinion, is done well, we should be able to tell who's speaking without checking. In We Come Apart, there's no need for character headings; it's always easy to tell Nicu's passionate broken English apart from Jess's indignant thoughts. I loved switching between them seamlessly. Poignant, beautiful and captivating, We Come Apart is a short hit straight to the heart.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
May 29, 2024
Love the writing and got attached with the main characters so much 🤦🏻♀️
When it comes to Sarah Crossan’s writing in verse, I always go crazy over it because I still can’t figure out how it is quite different from the other books in verse I have read so far.
The author’s writing almost always deals with topics we aren’t comfortable to share with others.
But in this book, it is more of a story about two troubled teens. Nicu is an immigrant and is being bullied/harassed for being an outsider. Jess’s mother can’t do much when it comes to domestic violence. It is their story how they become each other’s support system and how they overcome their own fears.
Once I started reading this book, I just could not keep it down. The story is told from the perspectives of Nicu and Jess. It’s actually very interesting to read what the main characters are going through.
This book made me quite emotional throughout the entire time but it also made me realise how strong a young person can be. The ending is quite satisfying which made me feel really happy considering the awful other characters in the book.
If you haven’t read any of the author’s work, you can start with this one. It’s so well written!
When it comes to Sarah Crossan’s writing in verse, I always go crazy over it because I still can’t figure out how it is quite different from the other books in verse I have read so far.
The author’s writing almost always deals with topics we aren’t comfortable to share with others.
But in this book, it is more of a story about two troubled teens. Nicu is an immigrant and is being bullied/harassed for being an outsider. Jess’s mother can’t do much when it comes to domestic violence. It is their story how they become each other’s support system and how they overcome their own fears.
Once I started reading this book, I just could not keep it down. The story is told from the perspectives of Nicu and Jess. It’s actually very interesting to read what the main characters are going through.
This book made me quite emotional throughout the entire time but it also made me realise how strong a young person can be. The ending is quite satisfying which made me feel really happy considering the awful other characters in the book.
If you haven’t read any of the author’s work, you can start with this one. It’s so well written!
November 10, 2017
[ 3.5 stars ]
‘But I want to stay here.’ I praying to them.
‘People hate us here. Nicu, people here only see our skin, not the thing within,’
This was a quick read but I have to admit it wasn’t what I was expecting ..we follow two character : Nicu who is a immigrant from Romania to earn enough money to pay the family of a bride in Romania and marry Nicu off and Jess who lives with her mum and abusive step dad . their lives come together when Nicu join Jess in some kind of community service.
The characters were heartbreakingly realistic , how Nicu felt when people keep bullying him for his culture and skin color and. how hard he tries to bear his own problems and do his best to learn English and adapt with his new surrounding yet people won’t stop treating him with disagreeableness .
Jess was brat at some point but then I really sympathies with her later and understand why she act wrong sometimes. Both characters develop Fantastically through the story but I kinda sensed they won’t be able to do what they really wanted to do “it was kinda obvious since the title is we come apart “ and YET it broke my heart .
HOWEVER i didn’t understand the message of the book.. I kinda felt the authors wanted to say more idk ..also THE ENDING !!! WHAT THE ACTUAL F*** ..
Overall it was quick read that really made me invested with characters in such a way, its my first time reading a verse story .. wasn’t a fan but its really powerful how few word can impact our feelings .
‘But I want to stay here.’ I praying to them.
‘People hate us here. Nicu, people here only see our skin, not the thing within,’
This was a quick read but I have to admit it wasn’t what I was expecting ..we follow two character : Nicu who is a immigrant from Romania to earn enough money to pay the family of a bride in Romania and marry Nicu off and Jess who lives with her mum and abusive step dad . their lives come together when Nicu join Jess in some kind of community service.
The characters were heartbreakingly realistic , how Nicu felt when people keep bullying him for his culture and skin color and. how hard he tries to bear his own problems and do his best to learn English and adapt with his new surrounding yet people won’t stop treating him with disagreeableness .
Jess was brat at some point but then I really sympathies with her later and understand why she act wrong sometimes. Both characters develop Fantastically through the story but I kinda sensed they won’t be able to do what they really wanted to do “it was kinda obvious since the title is we come apart “ and YET it broke my heart .
HOWEVER i didn’t understand the message of the book.. I kinda felt the authors wanted to say more idk ..also THE ENDING !!! WHAT THE ACTUAL F*** ..
Overall it was quick read that really made me invested with characters in such a way, its my first time reading a verse story .. wasn’t a fan but its really powerful how few word can impact our feelings .
December 23, 2017
“We come together. Now, we come apart”
This is a very powerful read, despite the fact that it looks awfully short, each verse is loaded with such impactful words and thoughts that just makes up for the page shortage.
I’m not saying that all the things that our main characters have done in this story are good but I think they are certainly justifiable. (yeah, different people, different opinions, fellas) except for the stealing of course.
I don’t have much word about this book, but all I could say is that everyone should read it for it gives us the view from the inside rather than from the outside.
March 13, 2017
3.5 Stars.
Jessica is a character who has endured torment and abuse, her stepfather a domineering and violent man. Although I've also experienced domestic violence as a child, I couldn't relate to Jessica and her often merciless attitude. Having committed her third offense and Nicu caught thieving, the two teens are both sentenced to the Reparation Program, an initiative to rehabilitate adolescents rather than facing prison.
Nicu's narrative was captivating. Having migrated with his parents to the United Kingdom, Nicu and his father are self employed in order to earn an adequate dowry to obtain a wife home in Romania. Although his parents are insistent, Nicu refuses to marry and wants to begin his life in the United Kingdom rather than return home. Nicu is absolutely endearing. His character explored the social injustice of racism and race profiling. It was interesting to see the comparison between both parents, Jessica had been arrested due to her third offense and they were treated with respect. Although it was insinuated that her behavior was a result of defective parenting.
I appreciate narratives told in verse, with so few words authors are able to captivate readers and Sarah Crossan is a wonderful storyteller who breathes life into her characters. We Come Apart touches on social issues such as domestic violence, racial profiling and racism. Nicu wants to be accepted and I felt Jessica had taken advantage of his affection, often choosing the cruelty of her unreliable friends and choosing not to asset herself and defend Nicu against their racist remarks.
I'm fascinated by stories of immigration and seeking asylum, which is the foundation for many Australians in particular. We Come Apart touches on those same foundations and as Nicu explores thoughts of his new surroundings and learning a new language, I'm dubious as to the validity of the representation.
We Come Apart is a touching exploration of friendship and transcending barriers of language and stereotypes. Although I became increasingly frustrated with Jessica's character, the narrative was captivating, immersive and representative of our broken societies.
Jessica is a character who has endured torment and abuse, her stepfather a domineering and violent man. Although I've also experienced domestic violence as a child, I couldn't relate to Jessica and her often merciless attitude. Having committed her third offense and Nicu caught thieving, the two teens are both sentenced to the Reparation Program, an initiative to rehabilitate adolescents rather than facing prison.
Nicu's narrative was captivating. Having migrated with his parents to the United Kingdom, Nicu and his father are self employed in order to earn an adequate dowry to obtain a wife home in Romania. Although his parents are insistent, Nicu refuses to marry and wants to begin his life in the United Kingdom rather than return home. Nicu is absolutely endearing. His character explored the social injustice of racism and race profiling. It was interesting to see the comparison between both parents, Jessica had been arrested due to her third offense and they were treated with respect. Although it was insinuated that her behavior was a result of defective parenting.
I appreciate narratives told in verse, with so few words authors are able to captivate readers and Sarah Crossan is a wonderful storyteller who breathes life into her characters. We Come Apart touches on social issues such as domestic violence, racial profiling and racism. Nicu wants to be accepted and I felt Jessica had taken advantage of his affection, often choosing the cruelty of her unreliable friends and choosing not to asset herself and defend Nicu against their racist remarks.
I'm fascinated by stories of immigration and seeking asylum, which is the foundation for many Australians in particular. We Come Apart touches on those same foundations and as Nicu explores thoughts of his new surroundings and learning a new language, I'm dubious as to the validity of the representation.
We Come Apart is a touching exploration of friendship and transcending barriers of language and stereotypes. Although I became increasingly frustrated with Jessica's character, the narrative was captivating, immersive and representative of our broken societies.
January 10, 2017
I'm kind of mixed about this one. On the one hand it was a wonderful story of friendship and exclusion and outsiders. But on the other hand, I was only really a fan of Nicu (Jess rubbed me the wrong way) and the ending felt incredibly rushed.
Longer review to come soon.
Longer review to come soon.
September 1, 2018
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
that happened so fast, and that format???!?? so dope.
but seriously that was so short, like literally a graphic novel -pictures... imagine that... it’s crazy fast and boom boom boom action.
BUT THAT ENDING THO. IM NOT CRYING BUT MY HEART IS COMPLETELY SPLATTERED.
that happened so fast, and that format???!?? so dope.
but seriously that was so short, like literally a graphic novel -pictures... imagine that... it’s crazy fast and boom boom boom action.
BUT THAT ENDING THO. IM NOT CRYING BUT MY HEART IS COMPLETELY SPLATTERED.
December 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this book but it was hard at the beginning to keep Nicu and Jess their point of views apart. I wish there was kind of a name at the start of each "chapter".
I also think that the verse was not necessary and wish it was just in book text form. If you understand what I mean, haha.
It is a heartbreaking story though which the ending made me feel so sad.
I also think that the verse was not necessary and wish it was just in book text form. If you understand what I mean, haha.
It is a heartbreaking story though which the ending made me feel so sad.
June 22, 2017
*ARC provided by Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review*
"We never get lost
And
When I wake
I fear that our love will never be
Found."
This was my first book by Sarah and Brain I was quickly blown away by them. I'll admit, I was intimidated by this book as soon as I found out that it was written in verse. I've never read a book like this and honestly, it was way out of my comfort zone. I always feel like I won't understand what the authors are trying to tell me but I'm glad this wasn't the case here. I finally made up my mind to binge read this before I fell asleep yesterday and I ended up reading it in less than 2 hours. Because of that, I have officially fallen in love with verse books and I can't wait to get my hands on more like it. I loved that the writing worked completely in its favor. It didn't impede the message of the book to get lost in translation and it made me feel just as much as any regular written book ever has.
This book is dual POV and it was separated into 3 parts. It follows Nicu, an emigrated Romanian and Jess, as their lives entwine when they are both sent to the same place after getting arrested for stealing.
My heart was completely stolen by Nicu from the very beginning and it's not just because he was the male lead. The way he expressed himself quickly told me that he had one of the sweetest and purest of hearts that I've ever come across. His verses were written in poor English which helped bring the story, and his background, to life even more beautifully than it already was. I loved seeing how carefully he chose his words and they were never, ever without a deep meaning. His humor made me smile until it hurt every single time and I just couldn't get enough of him. I saw him as a little brother and I wanted to reach into the pages to comfort him at every turn. I was also really impressed by how Sarah and Brian didn't need to tell us which POV we were reading. Jess and Nicu had their own unique voices that were easily distinguishable.
This story deal with a lot of racism, abuse, and mostly everything in between. It tore my heart out whenever anyone so much as thought something negative towards Nicu and it made me tear up more times than I could count.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 5/5 was because I didn't care much for Jess. Don't get me wrong, I sympathized with her situation a lot but I feel like her character wasn't as interesting as Nicu. I really liked her relationship with Nicu but I feel like she disappointed me more than not. They both had ugly lives at home and it had my stomach turning with a bad feeling in my stomach throughout it all.
With that said, I absolutely despised every other character in this story. I won't go into detail but let's just say that I went into a murderous rage every time anybody besides Nicu and Jess were being mentioned.
Now that I have read this from cover to cover, that title is killing me inside. I will always cry and die a little bit every time I hear/see it from now on. Thank you, Sarah and Brian, for writing a book that will stay with me forever. Also, one more comment.... SEQUEL?!?!??!
"And I dreaming of you last night,
But my eyes don't close for sleeping,
And it raining in my stomach,
And it storming in my heart."
4.5/5 stars!
"We never get lost
And
When I wake
I fear that our love will never be
Found."
This was my first book by Sarah and Brain I was quickly blown away by them. I'll admit, I was intimidated by this book as soon as I found out that it was written in verse. I've never read a book like this and honestly, it was way out of my comfort zone. I always feel like I won't understand what the authors are trying to tell me but I'm glad this wasn't the case here. I finally made up my mind to binge read this before I fell asleep yesterday and I ended up reading it in less than 2 hours. Because of that, I have officially fallen in love with verse books and I can't wait to get my hands on more like it. I loved that the writing worked completely in its favor. It didn't impede the message of the book to get lost in translation and it made me feel just as much as any regular written book ever has.
This book is dual POV and it was separated into 3 parts. It follows Nicu, an emigrated Romanian and Jess, as their lives entwine when they are both sent to the same place after getting arrested for stealing.
My heart was completely stolen by Nicu from the very beginning and it's not just because he was the male lead. The way he expressed himself quickly told me that he had one of the sweetest and purest of hearts that I've ever come across. His verses were written in poor English which helped bring the story, and his background, to life even more beautifully than it already was. I loved seeing how carefully he chose his words and they were never, ever without a deep meaning. His humor made me smile until it hurt every single time and I just couldn't get enough of him. I saw him as a little brother and I wanted to reach into the pages to comfort him at every turn. I was also really impressed by how Sarah and Brian didn't need to tell us which POV we were reading. Jess and Nicu had their own unique voices that were easily distinguishable.
This story deal with a lot of racism, abuse, and mostly everything in between. It tore my heart out whenever anyone so much as thought something negative towards Nicu and it made me tear up more times than I could count.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 5/5 was because I didn't care much for Jess. Don't get me wrong, I sympathized with her situation a lot but I feel like her character wasn't as interesting as Nicu. I really liked her relationship with Nicu but I feel like she disappointed me more than not. They both had ugly lives at home and it had my stomach turning with a bad feeling in my stomach throughout it all.
With that said, I absolutely despised every other character in this story. I won't go into detail but let's just say that I went into a murderous rage every time anybody besides Nicu and Jess were being mentioned.
Now that I have read this from cover to cover, that title is killing me inside. I will always cry and die a little bit every time I hear/see it from now on. Thank you, Sarah and Brian, for writing a book that will stay with me forever. Also, one more comment.... SEQUEL?!?!??!
"And I dreaming of you last night,
But my eyes don't close for sleeping,
And it raining in my stomach,
And it storming in my heart."
4.5/5 stars!
January 14, 2018
Such a relevant story considering everything that’s happening in the world right now. I really liked how realistic it was without any sugar coating.
If you enjoy diverse stories, then give it a go.
If you enjoy diverse stories, then give it a go.
October 20, 2018
This was the first novel I’ve read that is written in verse and I really enjoyed it! It was a short heartbreaking read that I’m sure will leave me thinking about it for a while.
October 15, 2018
No. This didn't do it for me.
I'm very glad that this wasn't my first Sarah Crossan book, because I'm not sure I would've picked up another one.
Like many others, I do appreciate the messages that the authors attempted to convey, but I did not think the execution was done well. The storyline felt...silly, with so many little nuances missing. When you are writing a novel in verse, there are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration, there are more gaps to be filled with the use of more powerful, albeit concise, language.
Let's talk about this insta-connection and romance between the two characters. Jess and Nicu come from two very different worlds, Nicu is a Romanian immigrant, who doesn't speak English very well and is meant to go back to his home country to get married off to some random girl that was chosen by his family. Creepy, but whatever. He's a super nice guy, with an optimistic view of the world despite the circumstances he's found himself in. Jess, on the other hand, wasn't a very likable character. Sure, she has it tough, she comes from an abusive family, her brother bailed on her, her stepdad or mother's boyfriend beats her mom up on a daily basis, and films it for fun. To make it worse, he gets Jess involved, has her holding the camera while he beats the living daylights out of her mom. They meet, and Nicu is immediately attracted to her. She's not very nice to him at first, but then he seems to grow on her and they become close. BUT...it still feels like it lacks something. It doesn't feel real or believable. I could never believe their "chemistry" or "connection" or whatever it was. I couldn't root for them. For them together, I mean. It didn't work for me. It felt like they never really got to know each other well, and if they did, it wasn't expressed well through verse.
I don't understand how Nicu could just let her go with all his family's life savings when he barely knew her at all. The ending was terrible. We don't know what she's going to do with that money. Is she going to get robbed? Get caught? Buy more packs of cigarettes? We don't know. And how could she stand around filming her mom get beaten up? She's not a child. She could have done something, or reported him or anything. How can you stand by filming your mom get beat up like that? Attack him for God's sake, even if it means getting beaten up yourself. It's one thing to come from an abusive family, but it's a completely different thing to participate in it.
The whole thing didn't make sense. So many good messages in there, maybe a little too much, that there was no room for all of it to be conveyed properly.
I'm very glad that this wasn't my first Sarah Crossan book, because I'm not sure I would've picked up another one.
Like many others, I do appreciate the messages that the authors attempted to convey, but I did not think the execution was done well. The storyline felt...silly, with so many little nuances missing. When you are writing a novel in verse, there are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration, there are more gaps to be filled with the use of more powerful, albeit concise, language.
Let's talk about this insta-connection and romance between the two characters. Jess and Nicu come from two very different worlds, Nicu is a Romanian immigrant, who doesn't speak English very well and is meant to go back to his home country to get married off to some random girl that was chosen by his family. Creepy, but whatever. He's a super nice guy, with an optimistic view of the world despite the circumstances he's found himself in. Jess, on the other hand, wasn't a very likable character. Sure, she has it tough, she comes from an abusive family, her brother bailed on her, her stepdad or mother's boyfriend beats her mom up on a daily basis, and films it for fun. To make it worse, he gets Jess involved, has her holding the camera while he beats the living daylights out of her mom. They meet, and Nicu is immediately attracted to her. She's not very nice to him at first, but then he seems to grow on her and they become close. BUT...it still feels like it lacks something. It doesn't feel real or believable. I could never believe their "chemistry" or "connection" or whatever it was. I couldn't root for them. For them together, I mean. It didn't work for me. It felt like they never really got to know each other well, and if they did, it wasn't expressed well through verse.
I don't understand how Nicu could just let her go with all his family's life savings when he barely knew her at all. The ending was terrible. We don't know what she's going to do with that money. Is she going to get robbed? Get caught? Buy more packs of cigarettes? We don't know. And how could she stand around filming her mom get beaten up? She's not a child. She could have done something, or reported him or anything. How can you stand by filming your mom get beat up like that? Attack him for God's sake, even if it means getting beaten up yourself. It's one thing to come from an abusive family, but it's a completely different thing to participate in it.
The whole thing didn't make sense. So many good messages in there, maybe a little too much, that there was no room for all of it to be conveyed properly.
March 5, 2018
So...
• the Romani immigrant POV is written by a white author who decides to mimic his broken English. Because that’s totally fine and not at all borderline racist.
• the Romani character’s whole character arc is: him suffering racism and prejudice, him suffering because of his culture, him falling in love with the white English character, him sacrificing himself for the white English character. Because POC are only here to make white people’s lives richer and to ultimately save them. Go figure.
• insta-love with zero chemistry.
• ooc moments and other ridiculous scenes just to move the plot forward. How CONVENIENT everything is in this damn book.
• the female main character leaves her friends when she starts hanging out with the male main character because... love, I suppose.
• the verse format worked wonders on Sarah Crossan’s One (where emptiness and blank spaces are a huge symbol), but here it proves to be pretentious, devoid of meaning and, well, annoying.
• the Romani immigrant POV is written by a white author who decides to mimic his broken English. Because that’s totally fine and not at all borderline racist.
• the Romani character’s whole character arc is: him suffering racism and prejudice, him suffering because of his culture, him falling in love with the white English character, him sacrificing himself for the white English character. Because POC are only here to make white people’s lives richer and to ultimately save them. Go figure.
• insta-love with zero chemistry.
• ooc moments and other ridiculous scenes just to move the plot forward. How CONVENIENT everything is in this damn book.
• the female main character leaves her friends when she starts hanging out with the male main character because... love, I suppose.
• the verse format worked wonders on Sarah Crossan’s One (where emptiness and blank spaces are a huge symbol), but here it proves to be pretentious, devoid of meaning and, well, annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
Full review is coming really soon
We come apart is written in verses like One and it is such a fast reading. It might help you to get out of your reading slump. MIGHT.
I don't think I was able to complete enjoy this book because of my bad mood and reading slump but I felt a connection with Nicu as a romanian immigrant during Brexit time. I just wanted to hug him -- I am not an immigrant (yet -- but I would love to move in the UK in a few years) and I can already feel the hate towards EU worker immigrants on social medias. Even there.
This book is so important, especially in the Brexit era. Don't close your doors to people who just want a better life. We shouldn't take chances away to people who dream about it. #thatsit
Back to the book: We come apart is a book about racism and abuse. We are set in two different worlds but in some way really similar with two alternative point of views which I have found pretty hard to follow sometimes because they could merge in a way. Please, add the name of the character at the start of the chapter. Please.
I have also found the grammar errors from Nicu so realistic even if this made the reading of the book more difficult for me; plus when I was reading the Nicu's parts I kind of have a Russian accent in my mind or something like it LOL
We come apart is written in verses like One and it is such a fast reading. It might help you to get out of your reading slump. MIGHT.
I don't think I was able to complete enjoy this book because of my bad mood and reading slump but I felt a connection with Nicu as a romanian immigrant during Brexit time. I just wanted to hug him -- I am not an immigrant (yet -- but I would love to move in the UK in a few years) and I can already feel the hate towards EU worker immigrants on social medias. Even there.
This book is so important, especially in the Brexit era. Don't close your doors to people who just want a better life. We shouldn't take chances away to people who dream about it. #thatsit
Back to the book: We come apart is a book about racism and abuse. We are set in two different worlds but in some way really similar with two alternative point of views which I have found pretty hard to follow sometimes because they could merge in a way. Please, add the name of the character at the start of the chapter. Please.
I have also found the grammar errors from Nicu so realistic even if this made the reading of the book more difficult for me; plus when I was reading the Nicu's parts I kind of have a Russian accent in my mind or something like it LOL
October 24, 2017
3.5 stars
April 5, 2020
Sooo :)
I stayed up till around 2am trying to finish this book and I actually really LOVED it! The characters were a bit believable and it was just AMAZING. Just not happy with the fact that it took away my sleep but it was fine overall.
I stayed up till around 2am trying to finish this book and I actually really LOVED it! The characters were a bit believable and it was just AMAZING. Just not happy with the fact that it took away my sleep but it was fine overall.
June 5, 2017
This book is told in verse in alternating chapters from the two main characters' perspectives. Very appealing as well as a very quick read.
The two characters manage their individual family struggles and come together through their one common characteristic of being thieves. They meet while doing community service yet continue their unlikely friendship afterwards. In today's world of intolerance, it teaches a valuable lesson of looking past surface differences and helping each other.
The two characters manage their individual family struggles and come together through their one common characteristic of being thieves. They meet while doing community service yet continue their unlikely friendship afterwards. In today's world of intolerance, it teaches a valuable lesson of looking past surface differences and helping each other.
June 3, 2020
3/5 stars
I rarely use the 3-star rating. Not because no book is deserving of it, but it’s such an awkward, middle ground rating. I didn’t love it...but I also didn’t hate it? In the case if We Come Apart, though, it’s the only rating that fits. Rating it 4 or even 3.5 stars would be much to generous, while 2 would be too harsh because there were parts that I enjoyed. This is the epitome of a solid three star book. I don’t usually consider threes to be boring and average, mainly, they’re just ones where my opinion was quite mixed.
We Come Apart follows our MC, Jess, who lives with her mom and abusive stepfather. Reading about her experiences were quite sad. In some ways, however, I feel it lacked the depth I was looking for (although it’s a month later, and to be honest, I’m struggling to remember most of it). The writing could be quite emotionless in scenes which discussed the abuse, and I don’t think it really delved into it properly. Given that it’s a pretty heavy topic, I was expecting a bit more discussion on it, but rather it was just treated as a thing that happened. If that makes sense?
It’s a dual POV book, so it also follows another main character too. I forget his name-Nico? Nicu? It’s been awhile. He’s a Romanian immigrant (I’m 90% sure he’s Romanian, but correct me if I’m wrong) who loves America and really wants to stay. His parents have a different plan, however, he’s supposed to go back and get married to some girl, although he doesn’t want to. His entire story was really about him coming into his own and rebelling against his parents. (Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.)
I enjoyed watching their unlikely friendship unfold. However, the romance (I don’t know if it was supposed to be romantic, but they want out and stuff...) was extremely forced and awkward. It was mostly one-sided, but I was just cringing. If that was the direction the author was trying to go, I just...wouldn’t have. They’re much better as just friends impacting each other’s lives.
A lot of really heavy stuff happened in the end, although it was all just so fast. Like, bam bam bam. And then suddenly an ending? If you can call it that, anyways. The story was unresolved and very rushed. Many of the books questions were left unanswered and we were just left sitting there, confused.
Although this review seems like I’m just ranting, there were several aspects I really enjoyed. I liked the unique perspective and the focus on friendship. It also brought up a lot of very relevant, heavy topics which wasn’t completely enjoyable but is still pretty necessary!
I rarely use the 3-star rating. Not because no book is deserving of it, but it’s such an awkward, middle ground rating. I didn’t love it...but I also didn’t hate it? In the case if We Come Apart, though, it’s the only rating that fits. Rating it 4 or even 3.5 stars would be much to generous, while 2 would be too harsh because there were parts that I enjoyed. This is the epitome of a solid three star book. I don’t usually consider threes to be boring and average, mainly, they’re just ones where my opinion was quite mixed.
We Come Apart follows our MC, Jess, who lives with her mom and abusive stepfather. Reading about her experiences were quite sad. In some ways, however, I feel it lacked the depth I was looking for (although it’s a month later, and to be honest, I’m struggling to remember most of it). The writing could be quite emotionless in scenes which discussed the abuse, and I don’t think it really delved into it properly. Given that it’s a pretty heavy topic, I was expecting a bit more discussion on it, but rather it was just treated as a thing that happened. If that makes sense?
It’s a dual POV book, so it also follows another main character too. I forget his name-Nico? Nicu? It’s been awhile. He’s a Romanian immigrant (I’m 90% sure he’s Romanian, but correct me if I’m wrong) who loves America and really wants to stay. His parents have a different plan, however, he’s supposed to go back and get married to some girl, although he doesn’t want to. His entire story was really about him coming into his own and rebelling against his parents. (Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.)
I enjoyed watching their unlikely friendship unfold. However, the romance (I don’t know if it was supposed to be romantic, but they want out and stuff...) was extremely forced and awkward. It was mostly one-sided, but I was just cringing. If that was the direction the author was trying to go, I just...wouldn’t have. They’re much better as just friends impacting each other’s lives.
A lot of really heavy stuff happened in the end, although it was all just so fast. Like, bam bam bam. And then suddenly an ending? If you can call it that, anyways. The story was unresolved and very rushed. Many of the books questions were left unanswered and we were just left sitting there, confused.
Although this review seems like I’m just ranting, there were several aspects I really enjoyed. I liked the unique perspective and the focus on friendship. It also brought up a lot of very relevant, heavy topics which wasn’t completely enjoyable but is still pretty necessary!
June 2, 2017
This novel in verse is told from two viewpoints. Jess is a girl in a bad home situation. Her mother's live-in boyfriend beats her and forces Jess to take videos on his phone. She knows that her mother will take punishment if she does anything to set the boyfriend off. Nicu is a recent immigrant from Romania. He has come with his parents who want to earn enough money to buy him a wife back home. But Nicu doesn't want a wife or to go back home.
The two meet as they are doing community service. Both were caught shop-lifting. At first, Jess doesn't want anything to do with him. She likes to be unnoticed and Nicu becomes a person people pick on for his poor English and foreign appearance.
Gradually the two become friends who try to lean on each other for support. They have big dreams about getting away together to start a new life. But getting away won't be easy. I enjoyed the working class North London setting. I liked that Nicu had dreams of a happier future but could also understand why Jess couldn't see past her current situation.
The combination of gritty realism and verse really made this an interesting story.
The two meet as they are doing community service. Both were caught shop-lifting. At first, Jess doesn't want anything to do with him. She likes to be unnoticed and Nicu becomes a person people pick on for his poor English and foreign appearance.
Gradually the two become friends who try to lean on each other for support. They have big dreams about getting away together to start a new life. But getting away won't be easy. I enjoyed the working class North London setting. I liked that Nicu had dreams of a happier future but could also understand why Jess couldn't see past her current situation.
The combination of gritty realism and verse really made this an interesting story.
January 11, 2017
This was my first experience of reading a book in verse, and it was really fun, the actually book itself was not fun. I'm calling it a modern tragedy because I had no hope for either of the characters' futures beyond the final page. This story was heart-breaking - not always explicitly, sometimes it was just in the assuming what the consequences were - but I couldn't put it down.
We Come Apart follows a Romanian boy, Nicu, who is a refugee that has to start going to school where he is bullied to a horrifying extent, and Jess, who is a mild kleptomaniac and is forced by her mother's partner, Terry, to film her mum whenever he beats her. Again, it's disgusting and horrifying and you want everything to be okay for them, but We Come Apart stays bitterly realistic all the way through.
I felt unsettled the entire time I was reading it, and I'm probably never going to forget it - for both good reasons and some more unpleasant ones - but it's one of those books that's going to be labelled 'IMPORTANT' and rightly so.
We Come Apart follows a Romanian boy, Nicu, who is a refugee that has to start going to school where he is bullied to a horrifying extent, and Jess, who is a mild kleptomaniac and is forced by her mother's partner, Terry, to film her mum whenever he beats her. Again, it's disgusting and horrifying and you want everything to be okay for them, but We Come Apart stays bitterly realistic all the way through.
I felt unsettled the entire time I was reading it, and I'm probably never going to forget it - for both good reasons and some more unpleasant ones - but it's one of those books that's going to be labelled 'IMPORTANT' and rightly so.
January 8, 2017
The individual voices in this story, Niku and Jess, are distinct and different to anything I've read. I loved them. I swallowed this book in a big gulp in one sleepless night. Jess has a horrific homelife, she is fighting to stay in her home but the bully her mother is living with is terrorising her and her mum. She is forced to watch her mum get beaten. Niku is Romanian and has come to England with his family, he cannot speak English and is treated badly by his classmates but along with these struggles, he is being forced into marriage to a girl he has never met back in his home country. It sounds dreadful, it is dreadful, but it is a story which has hope. It also has one of the most shocking endings, it left me open mouthed with shock.
Buy it for your high school library, this is quality literature and I highly recommend it.
Buy it for your high school library, this is quality literature and I highly recommend it.
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