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Lost for Words
My New Year's resolution: I'm moving on from everything that's happened. I'm not going to talk about it, think about it, let the memory pounce upon me like a waiting tiger, nothing.
All Sophie wants to do is forget. But it's not easy now that everything's changed. The house feels too big, school drags on for too long, lights are too bright, the room spins, and her hands get sweaty for no reason. And she can't remember why she was ever best friends with Abigail, who is obsessed with parties and boys. Only the new girl, Rosa-Leigh, with her prose poems and utter confidence, might understand. But talking to her seems impossible.
Lost in memories of the life she once had, Sophie retreats into herself. But there's only so long she can keep everything bottled up inside before she explodes. Maybe by confronting the tragedy of her past she'll figure out how to fix her future.
All Sophie wants to do is forget. But it's not easy now that everything's changed. The house feels too big, school drags on for too long, lights are too bright, the room spins, and her hands get sweaty for no reason. And she can't remember why she was ever best friends with Abigail, who is obsessed with parties and boys. Only the new girl, Rosa-Leigh, with her prose poems and utter confidence, might understand. But talking to her seems impossible.
Lost in memories of the life she once had, Sophie retreats into herself. But there's only so long she can keep everything bottled up inside before she explodes. Maybe by confronting the tragedy of her past she'll figure out how to fix her future.
210 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2009
22 people are currently reading
1214 people want to read
About the author
Alice Kuipers
25 books358 followers
Free Online Writing Course? Sign up here: eepurl.com/bA03lH
I was born in London, England, and I moved to Canada in 2003 when I fell in love with a Canadian. We live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which took a while for me to learn how to spell. I have four children, a girl and three boys.
My first novel, Life on the Refrigerator Door, was published in 29 countries, won several awards and was named as a New York Times book for the Teen Age. My second is called Lost For Words in the US, and The Worst Thing She Ever Did everywhere else. It won the Arthur Ellis Award, was shortlisted for the White Pine and Willow Awards, and was published in eight territories. 40 Things I Want To Tell You is my YA book published in 2012. The Death of Us, a CLA honour book, in 2014. My newest YA novel is Me (and) Me.
Violet and Victor Write the Best-Ever Bookworm Book is my first picture book. It was published with Little, Brown Books For Young Readers in December 2014, and the sequel Violet and Victor Write The Most Fabulous Fairy Tale is available now.
Find me at www.alicekuipers.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 25, 2014
Sophie releases the details of the worst thing she ever did through journal entries and this turns out to be a blessing and a curse in Alice Kuiper’s second YA novel, The Worst Thing She Ever Did. It’s a blessing because we get to hear Sophie’s authentic teenage voice and a curse for the same reason. Teenagers are, by definition, insular and of course no where is this made more apparent than in the pages of a teenager’s diary.
Sophie is keeping this journal at the request of her therapist, Lynda, who tells her that “Writing in here will help you remember.” Sophie doesn’t want to remember, though, and The Worst Thing She Ever Did takes its own sweet time revealing what it is Sophie is so desperately trying to forget. I’m not suggesting that Sophie’s tragedy is not worth the effort, just that Sophie often teeters on the edge of coming across more like a petulant child than the survivor of a horrific act of violence.
But maybe that is part of what would make this story so compelling to young adults. I think they will recognize themselves in the pages of Kuiper’s novel. Here is a girl who is living her life. Her sister, Emily, is home from art school and Sophie doesn’t varnish their sibling relationship. Sometimes Emily really pisses her off. Sometimes Sophie feels like Emily is the favourite child. Mostly though, Sophie misses her older sister and it is clear that something horrible and unspeakable has happened.
Sophie’s mother is coping with the loss as badly as Sophie is, but the two of them don’t talk about it. In fact, sometimes they “circled each other like cats.” Sophie pretends not to hear her mother crying. There is no joy in the house they share.
There’s no joy for Sophie at school, either. Everything is different. “Everything going on around me – the others, the noise, the ring of the bell to get to class – was so loud it gave me a headache.” Sophie’s best friend, Abigail, has moved on. Sophie tries to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy (which is only alluded to until almost the end of the novel) and work her way through being a teenager with varying degrees of success. There’s school to contend with and fractured friendships and boys – one boy in particular – and her mother. All of these elements would have been enough for a YA novel and a half, but Kuipers ups the ante here.
If some of the reconciliations seem a tad trite at the novel’s end (I wasn’t really fussy about the subplot concerning Abigail), they don’t really detract from the story’s larger theme: healing takes time. Kuiper’s is a lovely writer and although my feelings about The Worst Thing She Ever Did are similar to my feelings about 40 Things I Want To Tell You, I still think Kuipers is worth checking out.
Sophie is keeping this journal at the request of her therapist, Lynda, who tells her that “Writing in here will help you remember.” Sophie doesn’t want to remember, though, and The Worst Thing She Ever Did takes its own sweet time revealing what it is Sophie is so desperately trying to forget. I’m not suggesting that Sophie’s tragedy is not worth the effort, just that Sophie often teeters on the edge of coming across more like a petulant child than the survivor of a horrific act of violence.
But maybe that is part of what would make this story so compelling to young adults. I think they will recognize themselves in the pages of Kuiper’s novel. Here is a girl who is living her life. Her sister, Emily, is home from art school and Sophie doesn’t varnish their sibling relationship. Sometimes Emily really pisses her off. Sometimes Sophie feels like Emily is the favourite child. Mostly though, Sophie misses her older sister and it is clear that something horrible and unspeakable has happened.
Sophie’s mother is coping with the loss as badly as Sophie is, but the two of them don’t talk about it. In fact, sometimes they “circled each other like cats.” Sophie pretends not to hear her mother crying. There is no joy in the house they share.
There’s no joy for Sophie at school, either. Everything is different. “Everything going on around me – the others, the noise, the ring of the bell to get to class – was so loud it gave me a headache.” Sophie’s best friend, Abigail, has moved on. Sophie tries to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy (which is only alluded to until almost the end of the novel) and work her way through being a teenager with varying degrees of success. There’s school to contend with and fractured friendships and boys – one boy in particular – and her mother. All of these elements would have been enough for a YA novel and a half, but Kuipers ups the ante here.
If some of the reconciliations seem a tad trite at the novel’s end (I wasn’t really fussy about the subplot concerning Abigail), they don’t really detract from the story’s larger theme: healing takes time. Kuiper’s is a lovely writer and although my feelings about The Worst Thing She Ever Did are similar to my feelings about 40 Things I Want To Tell You, I still think Kuipers is worth checking out.
September 23, 2011
Honestly, this is a hard book to rate.
I didn't enjoy it, but I think that's the point. Sophie, the narrator and protagonist, really, really drove me insane. She's grieving after the death of her sister, yet doesn't 'reveal' (although I found it very obvious and saw where it was going early on) details as to how her sister died until about the last quarter of the book.
The book is set in the UK which I liked. I didn't really feel the voice Sophie was supposed to have, I guess due to my lack of interest overall.
I found Sophie to be naive, selfish, immature and unthoughtful. I mean, yes, she was grieving, but so was her mother. The way she spoke to, and treated, her mother was appalling. I honestly wanted to smack her round the head.
Sophie's 'friends' (I truly hope I never have 'friends' like them) were horrible. They were, I guess, the UK's version of "Mean Girls". although I did like the 'newcomer' to the school, Rosa-Leigh. She was a genuinely nice person. The writing style was, in my opinion, juvenile. It was full of very. Short sentences. Which drove me crazy. And THE USE OF CAPS which was SUPPOSED to express Sophie's annoyance, frustration, whatever was SEVERELY IRRITATING. (Yes, that is what several sentences on, say every second page, looked like).
Negatives aside, this was a thought proving read, and I'm sure to the right person it would be a good book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I think the only thing that bumped it up to a 2 star rating for me was pages 197 - 209. That and a couple of poems which were supposed to have been written by Sophie;
The sticks on the trees
Stand up harsh and bare
With rings on their fingers
And knots in their hair
The silver of winter
Is smoky with rain
The witches of sunlight
Fly low again
In a puddle of grey
Last summer lies
Where nothing can swim
And my sister dies
The spring is weighted
With what has been
And she's still with me
Brightly unseen
and
... I remain turned outside in, the darkest corner of the forest open to hot, wet light. I remain without you; a glass half full to everyone else, half empty to me.
I didn't enjoy it, but I think that's the point. Sophie, the narrator and protagonist, really, really drove me insane. She's grieving after the death of her sister, yet doesn't 'reveal' (although I found it very obvious and saw where it was going early on) details as to how her sister died until about the last quarter of the book.
The book is set in the UK which I liked. I didn't really feel the voice Sophie was supposed to have, I guess due to my lack of interest overall.
I found Sophie to be naive, selfish, immature and unthoughtful. I mean, yes, she was grieving, but so was her mother. The way she spoke to, and treated, her mother was appalling. I honestly wanted to smack her round the head.
Sophie's 'friends' (I truly hope I never have 'friends' like them) were horrible. They were, I guess, the UK's version of "Mean Girls". although I did like the 'newcomer' to the school, Rosa-Leigh. She was a genuinely nice person. The writing style was, in my opinion, juvenile. It was full of very. Short sentences. Which drove me crazy. And THE USE OF CAPS which was SUPPOSED to express Sophie's annoyance, frustration, whatever was SEVERELY IRRITATING. (Yes, that is what several sentences on, say every second page, looked like).
Negatives aside, this was a thought proving read, and I'm sure to the right person it would be a good book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I think the only thing that bumped it up to a 2 star rating for me was pages 197 - 209. That and a couple of poems which were supposed to have been written by Sophie;
The sticks on the trees
Stand up harsh and bare
With rings on their fingers
And knots in their hair
The silver of winter
Is smoky with rain
The witches of sunlight
Fly low again
In a puddle of grey
Last summer lies
Where nothing can swim
And my sister dies
The spring is weighted
With what has been
And she's still with me
Brightly unseen
and
... I remain turned outside in, the darkest corner of the forest open to hot, wet light. I remain without you; a glass half full to everyone else, half empty to me.
February 13, 2012
Okay, when the main character describes herself as plain and expounds on that, you can't go and put a heavily-made-up model on the front cover- it just seems ridiculous. There is no reason to have this woman on the front cover- who the hell is she supposed to be?
I did love about this, and about Hold Still, that they both show how parents can want to the best for their kids, but not always know how to deal with their own hurt. Still, as I always say at work, kids tend to not pop out with an instruction book following them. Parents don't always know what to do, and it's nice to see them too, as human. Seeing Sophie's mom's grief was really important here.
Anyway, this started out slow for me- very choppy, hard to get drawn in, which is probably realistic about how Sophie was living her life, but it also made it tough to get connected to the story. But by the end, I was crying at all the parts when you're supposed to cry, and probably more. Or maybe I was just emotional in my own life for no real reasons. Or maybe I was emotional because of this book. Either way, by the middle I was hooked, and weepy, and let's be honest, I like it when books make me hooked and weepy.
Almost four stars, but not entirely.
I did love about this, and about Hold Still, that they both show how parents can want to the best for their kids, but not always know how to deal with their own hurt. Still, as I always say at work, kids tend to not pop out with an instruction book following them. Parents don't always know what to do, and it's nice to see them too, as human. Seeing Sophie's mom's grief was really important here.
Anyway, this started out slow for me- very choppy, hard to get drawn in, which is probably realistic about how Sophie was living her life, but it also made it tough to get connected to the story. But by the end, I was crying at all the parts when you're supposed to cry, and probably more. Or maybe I was just emotional in my own life for no real reasons. Or maybe I was emotional because of this book. Either way, by the middle I was hooked, and weepy, and let's be honest, I like it when books make me hooked and weepy.
Almost four stars, but not entirely.
June 20, 2010
This was an interesting book. I had seen it all over the Internet lately, and was intrigued. Plus, I love the cover. (Yes, I do tend to judge a book by its cover. ;-) )
The story was OK. Having lost someone I love, I could feel Sophie's pain – to a degree. Thankfully, I've never been in a situation like she was in, so I can't fully understand. Anyway, it became clear to me pretty quickly that she likely was suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) – especially once she started having the panic attacks.
I liked how her story came out in bits and pieces. While it would've been easier to understand her behavior earlier on if we knew her story earlier, I didn't mind waiting. I didn't feel strung along. It made sense to me that she forgot – or at least refused to remember. I liked how she went from remembering things about life with Emily to remembering bits of the day. When it all came back, wow. I can't imagine anyone having to live with what all she saw. And she was just a child. No wonder she couldn't find the words to say!
The last chapter or two of this book – primarily the memorial service – almost made me cry. I was tearing up and felt choked up. I think if that part was longer, I would have bawled.
While I don't feel the need to read this one again, I won't go so far as to say I WON'T read it again. Maybe someday. We'll see. Overall, I found it a quick, easy read. It was NOT a light read, however. It's weighty. All I can think (even though I know it's fiction) is "that poor, poor girl." A book that does that – keeps me thinking about it, and (more importantly) feeling it – is a good book indeed.
The story was OK. Having lost someone I love, I could feel Sophie's pain – to a degree. Thankfully, I've never been in a situation like she was in, so I can't fully understand. Anyway, it became clear to me pretty quickly that she likely was suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) – especially once she started having the panic attacks.
I liked how her story came out in bits and pieces. While it would've been easier to understand her behavior earlier on if we knew her story earlier, I didn't mind waiting. I didn't feel strung along. It made sense to me that she forgot – or at least refused to remember. I liked how she went from remembering things about life with Emily to remembering bits of the day. When it all came back, wow. I can't imagine anyone having to live with what all she saw. And she was just a child. No wonder she couldn't find the words to say!
The last chapter or two of this book – primarily the memorial service – almost made me cry. I was tearing up and felt choked up. I think if that part was longer, I would have bawled.
While I don't feel the need to read this one again, I won't go so far as to say I WON'T read it again. Maybe someday. We'll see. Overall, I found it a quick, easy read. It was NOT a light read, however. It's weighty. All I can think (even though I know it's fiction) is "that poor, poor girl." A book that does that – keeps me thinking about it, and (more importantly) feeling it – is a good book indeed.
January 31, 2011
Plot: It is about a girl called Sophie who struggles to forget an incident that happened last summer. It is all about how she copes with her new life after that. She finds it hard to communicate with the people around her; she rarely talks about it, and basically pushes people out. She starts writing a diary on a notebook her psychiatrist gave her at some point believing it’ll make her better. The book is Sophie’s diary stating her life on a day to day basis.
Likes: I did not find it that likeable at all! Probably, what I liked most is the character Rosa- Leigh, a Canadian girl Sophie ends up being friends with. Sophie’s’ mom is just heartbreaking which made me love her. I also probably like the ending because it got better during that moment.
Dislikes: I believe that this book is just too depressing. Sophie was basically annoying, she wants help from people, but she pushes them away anyhow?!!. Probably that’s what the author wanted, to make a sad novel, but it was just irritating because it was veeeeeerrrryyy dark and depressing. Sophie treats her mother horribly during the story which made her seem soo freaking annoying. The storyline was a drag from me! It took me to read the whole book until finding out what happened. I wish the mystery was at least solved in the middle of the book rather than the end, just to grasp what I was reading.
Overall, I would probably not recommend it to people who wants to read something light because this book is heavy with sad emotions.
Likes: I did not find it that likeable at all! Probably, what I liked most is the character Rosa- Leigh, a Canadian girl Sophie ends up being friends with. Sophie’s’ mom is just heartbreaking which made me love her. I also probably like the ending because it got better during that moment.
Dislikes: I believe that this book is just too depressing. Sophie was basically annoying, she wants help from people, but she pushes them away anyhow?!!. Probably that’s what the author wanted, to make a sad novel, but it was just irritating because it was veeeeeerrrryyy dark and depressing. Sophie treats her mother horribly during the story which made her seem soo freaking annoying. The storyline was a drag from me! It took me to read the whole book until finding out what happened. I wish the mystery was at least solved in the middle of the book rather than the end, just to grasp what I was reading.
Overall, I would probably not recommend it to people who wants to read something light because this book is heavy with sad emotions.
April 27, 2010
I have to say, that this book took a bit for me to get into. I thought it was going to turn out as a whole book of a girl being unable to move past the death of her sister. However, once I got about half way through the book things changed and you could see a huge change in not only her but other characters in the book, I was glad that by the end of the book there were others seeking help in many various ways.
After, the entire book I am gonna summarize the book as a good guide for others going through grief of some sort, as it truly is a step by step process that each person goes through on there own terms. It is a good book.
After, the entire book I am gonna summarize the book as a good guide for others going through grief of some sort, as it truly is a step by step process that each person goes through on there own terms. It is a good book.
September 30, 2017
Eu adorei este livro! Consegui colocar-me na pele da Sophie e da mãe dela. Os dois lados da mesma realidade, da mesma perda, do mesmo recomeço.
Gostei muito da escrita simples que nos toca no coração. Pareceu-me real.
Gostei muito da escrita simples que nos toca no coração. Pareceu-me real.
March 1, 2021
Took me a while to fully get into it but when I did... the pages flew by.
Despite being a young adult book, I recognize myself in Sophie. Interesting to read someone else' journal.
Despite being a young adult book, I recognize myself in Sophie. Interesting to read someone else' journal.
February 9, 2023
Um livro simples, fácil de ler, com uma história bonita.
September 10, 2023
Całkiem ok. Są lepsze młodzieżówki poruszające takie tematy.
April 11, 2018
Lost a star for misleading title
November 15, 2012
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
LOST FOR WORDS is the latest novel by Alice Kupiers.
Told in diary format, LOST FOR WORDS is Sophie's attempt to forget what happened last summer.
When I first picked up the book, I didn't know what the event was that Sophie alludes to at the beginning of the story. None of the synopsis I read had given any indication what Sophie was trying to run away from. But because I loved LIFE ON THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR so much, I wasn't that concerned about being in the dark from the first page.
Ms. Kupiers unfolds the story at just the right pace to keep the reader anticipating what will happen next, while at the same time frustrating the reader to give you more details NOW!
As the story unfolds, Sophie slowly reveals the events of the previous summer with her shoe laces, the train, her sister, Emily, and the aftermath. Her friends don't know how to reach Sophie, Sophie and her mother have a strained relationship, and Sophie herself is unwilling to open up to anyone, including her therapist. It's through her diary entries that the reader comes to know what's going on in her mind, and her inability to cope with what she experienced the previous summer.
LOST FOR WORDS is a tragic novel, but deeply moving and relevant in these unstable times. Though the novel takes place in England, the events can and have happened in other places around the world. Once I started the book, I didn't want to put it down.
If I have any negative comments on the story, it would be purely cosmetic. The book is also being published in Canada and the United Kingdom under the title of THE WORST THING SHE EVER DID. Not only does that title make more sense to the story, the cover artwork on that edition ties in much better. But that being said, Ms. Kupiers is definitely an author I'm going to keep an eye on. This is the second book by her that I consider a winner.
LOST FOR WORDS is the latest novel by Alice Kupiers.
Told in diary format, LOST FOR WORDS is Sophie's attempt to forget what happened last summer.
When I first picked up the book, I didn't know what the event was that Sophie alludes to at the beginning of the story. None of the synopsis I read had given any indication what Sophie was trying to run away from. But because I loved LIFE ON THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR so much, I wasn't that concerned about being in the dark from the first page.
Ms. Kupiers unfolds the story at just the right pace to keep the reader anticipating what will happen next, while at the same time frustrating the reader to give you more details NOW!
As the story unfolds, Sophie slowly reveals the events of the previous summer with her shoe laces, the train, her sister, Emily, and the aftermath. Her friends don't know how to reach Sophie, Sophie and her mother have a strained relationship, and Sophie herself is unwilling to open up to anyone, including her therapist. It's through her diary entries that the reader comes to know what's going on in her mind, and her inability to cope with what she experienced the previous summer.
LOST FOR WORDS is a tragic novel, but deeply moving and relevant in these unstable times. Though the novel takes place in England, the events can and have happened in other places around the world. Once I started the book, I didn't want to put it down.
If I have any negative comments on the story, it would be purely cosmetic. The book is also being published in Canada and the United Kingdom under the title of THE WORST THING SHE EVER DID. Not only does that title make more sense to the story, the cover artwork on that edition ties in much better. But that being said, Ms. Kupiers is definitely an author I'm going to keep an eye on. This is the second book by her that I consider a winner.
July 21, 2010
This was a truly griping story of a young girl who is trying to deal with the unbearable grief of losing her sister. Sophie is completely devastated, and her therapist tells her to keep a journal, which is what this book is. Every day Sophie goes through life trying to forget the fact that her sister is dead. Her mother walks around in a daze and barely talks to her. It's been a year spent in a house that is completely quiet.
Sophie's love for her sister was completely touching. I felt for her through every page, any little thing that reminded her of her sister brought a fresh wave of pain that was heart breaking. Sophie's best friend is pulling away from her and hanging out with other girls because she just doesn't know how to reach Sophie. Around this time, and new girl, Rosa-Leigh, shows up, and her and Sophie become fast friends. Rosa-Leigh was probably my favorite character in this story. She's from a huge family, and she's completely sympathetic to Sophie's pain, but she's also very blunt in telling her when she's acting like a snot to other people!
My main complaint with this book is that the author didn't tell us what actually happened to Sophie's sister until almost the very end of the book. I think it was supposed to be a big dramatic reveal after all the little hints brought up throughout the book, but to me it just ended up being very frustrating.
Overall, I was touched and invested in the story from beginning to end, and I definitely recommend it to all of you YA book lovers that enjoy an emotional tale!
Sophie's love for her sister was completely touching. I felt for her through every page, any little thing that reminded her of her sister brought a fresh wave of pain that was heart breaking. Sophie's best friend is pulling away from her and hanging out with other girls because she just doesn't know how to reach Sophie. Around this time, and new girl, Rosa-Leigh, shows up, and her and Sophie become fast friends. Rosa-Leigh was probably my favorite character in this story. She's from a huge family, and she's completely sympathetic to Sophie's pain, but she's also very blunt in telling her when she's acting like a snot to other people!
My main complaint with this book is that the author didn't tell us what actually happened to Sophie's sister until almost the very end of the book. I think it was supposed to be a big dramatic reveal after all the little hints brought up throughout the book, but to me it just ended up being very frustrating.
Overall, I was touched and invested in the story from beginning to end, and I definitely recommend it to all of you YA book lovers that enjoy an emotional tale!
May 30, 2018
Having lost her older sister recently in a tragic bombing whilst travelling to the National Gallery on a train, Sophie finds herself struggling with her loss and, after it was suggested by a councillor, begins writing her thoughts about the present and her memories of Emily in a journal.
At the start I felt very sorry for Sophie, but that didn't last long! I found her to be extremely sell-obsessed, judgemental and uptight. For most of the book she was either yelling at her mother and friends, feeling sorry for herself or in tears. I realise Sophie's mother wasn't always able to give her daughter the emotional support she needed, as she was lost in her own grief, however, the way Sophie spoke to, and behaved around, her mother was totally unacceptable! By the halfway mark I had had enough of her.
I also loathed Dan, the boy Sophie was obsessed with. He was a two-timing wretch who blasély cheated on one girl after another, totally uncaring of their feelings.
In fact, Rosa-Leigh, the new student from Canada who befriended Sophie and Kalila, a Muslim girl in the same year level as Sophie, were the only characters I actually liked. Both girls showed compassion and kindness to Sophie even when she didn't deserve it.
At the start I felt very sorry for Sophie, but that didn't last long! I found her to be extremely sell-obsessed, judgemental and uptight. For most of the book she was either yelling at her mother and friends, feeling sorry for herself or in tears. I realise Sophie's mother wasn't always able to give her daughter the emotional support she needed, as she was lost in her own grief, however, the way Sophie spoke to, and behaved around, her mother was totally unacceptable! By the halfway mark I had had enough of her.
I also loathed Dan, the boy Sophie was obsessed with. He was a two-timing wretch who blasély cheated on one girl after another, totally uncaring of their feelings.
In fact, Rosa-Leigh, the new student from Canada who befriended Sophie and Kalila, a Muslim girl in the same year level as Sophie, were the only characters I actually liked. Both girls showed compassion and kindness to Sophie even when she didn't deserve it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2010
This is an emotional book written in journal entry form. In some cases, this is a problem with me for books, but Kuipers writes to where it feels seamless to me. I got the feeling I was peeking into someone's private life, so she was successful getting me in Sophie's mind and world.
The friendships are really unstable in this book, but I think that it reflects real life and the stress these are put under (ed and ptsd).
It is frustrating yet also beautiful how the story unfolds, and finding out more about Sophie and Emily's relationship and how Emily died and how/if Sophie was involved/at fault.
The friendships are really unstable in this book, but I think that it reflects real life and the stress these are put under (ed and ptsd).
It is frustrating yet also beautiful how the story unfolds, and finding out more about Sophie and Emily's relationship and how Emily died and how/if Sophie was involved/at fault.
December 7, 2011
Un roman triste, et qui rappelle la fragilité de la vie. Ou comment vivre avec le fardeau de se sentir responsable, coupable de la perte d'un proche. J'ai pleuré à deux reprises, parce que j'ai un petit coeur aussi tendre qu'un chamallow, mais je ne pense pas que le roman avait pour but de virer au pathos. Un deuxième roman qui confirme tout le bien que je pense d'Alice Kuipers!
November 9, 2017
Adorei!
Fala da perda de um ente-querido, do sofrimento e do sentimento de culpa, das dificuldades em seguir uma vida normal depois de uma perda devastadora como esta, fala de amizades e de amores adolescentes. Está escrito de uma forma simples e concisa, que consegue transmitir-nos os sentimentos dos personagens de uma forma tão real e tão profunda que nos toca intensamente.
Fala da perda de um ente-querido, do sofrimento e do sentimento de culpa, das dificuldades em seguir uma vida normal depois de uma perda devastadora como esta, fala de amizades e de amores adolescentes. Está escrito de uma forma simples e concisa, que consegue transmitir-nos os sentimentos dos personagens de uma forma tão real e tão profunda que nos toca intensamente.
April 22, 2011
Et voilà moi qui pensais de pas pleurer ... Je me retrouve en larmes !
Ce livre a tellement fais écho chez moi. Beaucoup d'émotion, un coup de coeur
Mon avis complet :
http://morduedelivres.over-blog.com/a...
Ce livre a tellement fais écho chez moi. Beaucoup d'émotion, un coup de coeur
Mon avis complet :
http://morduedelivres.over-blog.com/a...
August 16, 2018
The first half of the book seemed dissapointing and boring and I almost gave up on it. It had that poor teenager-ish style. But the other half changed it all. It's a story about life, about feelings and about a teenager and her mother who try to get over the death of the teenager's sister.
June 16, 2011
Du vu et revu... trop plat et pas assez original
March 19, 2021
Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich diesem Buch 1 oder 2 Stern/e geben soll. Fakt ist jedoch: Es ist einer der unspannendsten Geschichten, die ich je gelesen habe. Aus dem Buch habe ich absolut gar nichts mitgenommen. Tatsächlich frage ich mich eher, warum ich es fertig gelesen habe. Wahrscheinlich weil die 220 Seiten dann doch schnell gelesen sind, vor allem abends nach Tagen, an denen man sich eh nur mehr schwer konzentrieren kann. Denn man muss diesem Buch nur sehr wenig Aufmerksamkeit schenken, um es zu lesen - es passiert nämlich rein gar nichts.
Sophie kämpft mit dem Verlust ihrer Schwester Emily. Anstatt zu reden, schweigt sie jedoch. Ihre Therapeutin empfiehlt ihr daraufhin ein Notizbuch (*es wird immer von Notizbuch gesprochen, meiner Meinung nach ist das aber eher ein Tagebuch? Aber nun gut). Ihre Gefühle hält sie fortan schriftlich fest.
And that’s basically the whole story. Das einzig spannende ist der Grund für Emilys Tod. Der wird auf den letzten Seiten wie plötzlich selbstverständlich preisgegeben. Davor redet Sophie einfach nicht darüber. Im Gegenteil läuft sie wortwörtlich davon, wenn sie jemand darauf anspricht. Was auch in Ordnung ist, denn sie möchte vergessen. Allerdings bietet das eben wenig Story.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach, meiner Meinung nach schon etwas zu einfach und nicht reißerisch. Die Charaktere haben bei mir auch keine Sympathiepunkte sammeln können. Auch wenn ich oftmals Sophies Ansichten und Reaktionen nachvollziehen habe können, da ich selbst öfter so als junge Frau gehandelt habe, habe ich es nicht unbedingt gerne lesen wollen. Bei Sophie gibt es absolut keine charakterliche Weiterentwicklung. Die Situation macht aus ihr eine verschlossene, egozentrische Person. Für ihre Freundinnen ist und kann sie nicht mehr da sein. Wie gesagt, ist das auch auf einer gewissen Ebene nachvollziehbar, aber mir fehlt zum Schluss eine Art Einsicht. Ein Versprechen, dass man wenigstens versucht es besser zu machen. Sie redet dann zwar mit ihrer besten Freundin, aber es wirkt nicht so, als würde Sophie daraus lernen. In meinen Augen hätte ein Schlusskapitel einige Monate/Jahre später das ganze gut abgerundet, wo es darum geht, wie Sophie besser mit dem Verlust umgeht.
Was mich zudem etwas gestört hat, sind die plötzlichen Dramen ihrer Freundinnen, die am Ende verstärkt thematisiert werden. Als wäre der Autorin eingefallen, dass sie etwas mehr Stoff als nur den Tod eines Menschen mit hinein bringen muss. Dafür sind diese Probleme jedoch auch nur kurz angeschnitten und zu wenig angeführt, als dass man sich damit beschäftigen möchte (mal abgesehen, dass sie wirklich erst auf den letzten Seiten angeführt werden). Die Charaktere sind mir auch allesamt einfach egal gewesen.
Das Buch bietet meiner Meinung nach so wenig (interessante) Geschichte, dass ich es sogar geschafft habe, alles zu vergessen, obwohl ich das Buch lediglich zwei Wochen pausiert habe.
Alles in allem kann ich das Buch einfach nicht empfehlen. Auch wenn ich das Verhalten teilweise verstehe, wünschte ich mir doch etwas mehr, das ich aus dem Buch mitnehmen kann. Ich kann noch nicht mal sagen, dass ich zu alt für das Buch bin, denn als Jugendliche hätte ich bestimmt nicht anders darüber gedacht. Schade, denn von der Thematik her hätte das Buch Potential gehabt aufzuzeigen, wie man als Jugendliche, wie Sophie es ist, mit Verlust eines geliebten Menschen (gesund) umgehen kann.
Sophie kämpft mit dem Verlust ihrer Schwester Emily. Anstatt zu reden, schweigt sie jedoch. Ihre Therapeutin empfiehlt ihr daraufhin ein Notizbuch (*es wird immer von Notizbuch gesprochen, meiner Meinung nach ist das aber eher ein Tagebuch? Aber nun gut). Ihre Gefühle hält sie fortan schriftlich fest.
And that’s basically the whole story. Das einzig spannende ist der Grund für Emilys Tod. Der wird auf den letzten Seiten wie plötzlich selbstverständlich preisgegeben. Davor redet Sophie einfach nicht darüber. Im Gegenteil läuft sie wortwörtlich davon, wenn sie jemand darauf anspricht. Was auch in Ordnung ist, denn sie möchte vergessen. Allerdings bietet das eben wenig Story.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach, meiner Meinung nach schon etwas zu einfach und nicht reißerisch. Die Charaktere haben bei mir auch keine Sympathiepunkte sammeln können. Auch wenn ich oftmals Sophies Ansichten und Reaktionen nachvollziehen habe können, da ich selbst öfter so als junge Frau gehandelt habe, habe ich es nicht unbedingt gerne lesen wollen. Bei Sophie gibt es absolut keine charakterliche Weiterentwicklung. Die Situation macht aus ihr eine verschlossene, egozentrische Person. Für ihre Freundinnen ist und kann sie nicht mehr da sein. Wie gesagt, ist das auch auf einer gewissen Ebene nachvollziehbar, aber mir fehlt zum Schluss eine Art Einsicht. Ein Versprechen, dass man wenigstens versucht es besser zu machen. Sie redet dann zwar mit ihrer besten Freundin, aber es wirkt nicht so, als würde Sophie daraus lernen. In meinen Augen hätte ein Schlusskapitel einige Monate/Jahre später das ganze gut abgerundet, wo es darum geht, wie Sophie besser mit dem Verlust umgeht.
Was mich zudem etwas gestört hat, sind die plötzlichen Dramen ihrer Freundinnen, die am Ende verstärkt thematisiert werden. Als wäre der Autorin eingefallen, dass sie etwas mehr Stoff als nur den Tod eines Menschen mit hinein bringen muss. Dafür sind diese Probleme jedoch auch nur kurz angeschnitten und zu wenig angeführt, als dass man sich damit beschäftigen möchte (mal abgesehen, dass sie wirklich erst auf den letzten Seiten angeführt werden). Die Charaktere sind mir auch allesamt einfach egal gewesen.
Das Buch bietet meiner Meinung nach so wenig (interessante) Geschichte, dass ich es sogar geschafft habe, alles zu vergessen, obwohl ich das Buch lediglich zwei Wochen pausiert habe.
Alles in allem kann ich das Buch einfach nicht empfehlen. Auch wenn ich das Verhalten teilweise verstehe, wünschte ich mir doch etwas mehr, das ich aus dem Buch mitnehmen kann. Ich kann noch nicht mal sagen, dass ich zu alt für das Buch bin, denn als Jugendliche hätte ich bestimmt nicht anders darüber gedacht. Schade, denn von der Thematik her hätte das Buch Potential gehabt aufzuzeigen, wie man als Jugendliche, wie Sophie es ist, mit Verlust eines geliebten Menschen (gesund) umgehen kann.
July 3, 2024
Reviewed for CMIS Resource Bank, 2010
Journal. Family. Realistic. School. Age 14+.
Rich figurative language opens The Worst Thing, drawing readers into the fragile life of sixteen year old Londoner, Sophie Baxter. She starts the new year writing in a notebook, given to her by her therapist to help her remember. The story/diary covers seven months, and it’s not until late April that Sophie pieces together her broken memories – the sudden realisation of the tragedy a huge emotional burden for readers. If she hadn’t taken so long to get ready that morning, if she hadn’t stopped to retie her shoelace, if only she knew then that ‘everything’s a time bomb’ (p144).
The Worst Thing explores Sophie’s friendships and exposes her fragmented family life. At school she experiences all the highs and lows of the group dynamic, including the toxic friends and a handsome but self-centred boy. Early in the new year she meets Rosa-Leigh, the new girl, and the two develop a friendship outside the group. Rosa-Leigh encourages Sophie to write poetry, small fragments of which head each chapter.
Sophie and her mother are lost souls, broken by the tragic loss of Emily, Sophie’s sister. Instead of working together each spins helplessly through the days pretending they’re fine. Mum’s face is ‘haggard. Worn away by time’ (p28), while Sophie suffers from panic attacks and is embarrassed by her mother’s collection of ‘lost things’. Kuipers has created a sensitive work around the fragility of relationships and our ability to find a way through. It will appeal particularly to mature girls. Various issues appear including drugs, alcoholism, sex and bulimia, but each is drawn with a consequence. Some reviewers have said that race issues are glaringly absent, but this is more a small picture story. Its absence could feature in class discussions.
Little by little, as Sophie finds the home they shared as a family, and her mother finds a friend to help her through the days, mother and daughter come back into each other’s orbit. Sophie stands with her mother to read her poem at the memorial service on July 7th. They are surrounded by friends.
Journal. Family. Realistic. School. Age 14+.
Rich figurative language opens The Worst Thing, drawing readers into the fragile life of sixteen year old Londoner, Sophie Baxter. She starts the new year writing in a notebook, given to her by her therapist to help her remember. The story/diary covers seven months, and it’s not until late April that Sophie pieces together her broken memories – the sudden realisation of the tragedy a huge emotional burden for readers. If she hadn’t taken so long to get ready that morning, if she hadn’t stopped to retie her shoelace, if only she knew then that ‘everything’s a time bomb’ (p144).
The Worst Thing explores Sophie’s friendships and exposes her fragmented family life. At school she experiences all the highs and lows of the group dynamic, including the toxic friends and a handsome but self-centred boy. Early in the new year she meets Rosa-Leigh, the new girl, and the two develop a friendship outside the group. Rosa-Leigh encourages Sophie to write poetry, small fragments of which head each chapter.
Sophie and her mother are lost souls, broken by the tragic loss of Emily, Sophie’s sister. Instead of working together each spins helplessly through the days pretending they’re fine. Mum’s face is ‘haggard. Worn away by time’ (p28), while Sophie suffers from panic attacks and is embarrassed by her mother’s collection of ‘lost things’. Kuipers has created a sensitive work around the fragility of relationships and our ability to find a way through. It will appeal particularly to mature girls. Various issues appear including drugs, alcoholism, sex and bulimia, but each is drawn with a consequence. Some reviewers have said that race issues are glaringly absent, but this is more a small picture story. Its absence could feature in class discussions.
Little by little, as Sophie finds the home they shared as a family, and her mother finds a friend to help her through the days, mother and daughter come back into each other’s orbit. Sophie stands with her mother to read her poem at the memorial service on July 7th. They are surrounded by friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2012
Ich bohrte meinen Stift in das Holz meines Tisches und schrieb den ersten Buchstaben meines Namens. S. Sophie. Ob ich ein völlig neuer Mensch sein könnte, wenn ich einen neuen Namen hätte? Ein Mensch ohne Vergangenheit. Ein Mensch, der nur die Zukunft vor sich hat.
Erster Satz:
Ich blicke auf die Worte hinab, sie sind schwarz wie Tintenspinnen, und ich betrachte die Netze, die sie weben.
Inhalt:
Manchmal brennen sich Bilder in dein Gedächtnis ein, verfolgen dich, wie ein Fluch. Als wollten sie dir zuflüstern:
Du vergisst uns nicht...
Sophie schreibt Tagebuch. Mit Buchstaben, Wörtern und Sätzen fängt sie ihre Tage ein und versucht den letzen, schrecklichen Sommer zu verarbeiten. Zu traumatisch, zu schrecklich ist die Vergangenheit um sie mit ihrer Stimme, mit einem Ton, einem Geräusch, laut in die Welt zu entlassen.
Um das Geschehene zu verarbeiten besucht Sophie eine Psychologin, diese ihr dieses Tagebuch schenkte.
Doch manchmal kann man nicht vergessen, will man nicht vergessen, weil jene Erinnerung, die sich Tag für Tag in dein Herz beißt, einfach zu schrecklich ist. Mit aller Kraft versucht das junge Mädchen die Bilder, vor ihren Augen, abzuschütteln und bekommt dabei, das erste Mal, einen ganz neuen Blick auf ihre Umwelt, auf ihr bisheriges Leben.
Idee/ Umsetzung:
Manchmal erfüllen dich Worte, die du aussprechen musst, mit tiefem Unbehagen. So ergeht es mir genau jetzt, in diesem Moment. An "Vor meinen Augen" ist mir wieder einmal bewusst geworden, dass viele Geschmäcker auseinander gehen. Bisher hatte ich nur gutes über die Geschichte gehört und in groben Zügen wusste ich auch ganz genau, was sich hinter den Seiten für mich verstecken würde - eine gelungene, emotionale und aufwühlende Geschichte. Ich ging also mit all diesen Gefühlen und Erwartungen los, zog das Buch aus meinem Regal und begann zu lesen. Schon nach der ersten Seite, wurde ich von der unglaublichen Wortwahl der Protagonistin verzaubert. Schon allein, wenn man sich den ersten Satz, ganz sanft auf der Zunge zergehen lässt, dann wird man gar nicht anders können: Man muss weiterlesen. Doch was danach kam stürzte mich tiefer und tiefer in eine Welle aus schlechtes Gefühlen. Was nach einem relativ starken Anfang klang, entwickelte sich schon nach wenigen Seiten zu einer langweiligen Geschichte, der man nur bedingt, weiter folgen wollte. Auf dem Umschlag des Buches wird gesagt: "Fast wie in einem Krimi, erfährt der Leser durch Sophies Tagebuch nur Stück für Stück die furchtbare Wahrheit." Was ich mich also als erstes fragte, schon nach wenigen Seiten: "Wo versteckt sich der angebliche Kimi...?" Es ist richtig, dass man der wahren Geschichte, der schrecklichen Vergangenheit, nur sehr langsam und Stück für Stück auf die Schliche kommt, aber die Geschichte mit einem Krimi zu vergleichen, ist wohl sehr abwegig. Ein Krimi hat nämlich vor allem eines für mich: Spannung! Diese kam hier leider gar nicht auf. Stattdessen erzählt Sophie ihren Lesern, bis ins aller, aller kleinste Detail, aus ihrem Leben. Dabei verwischen nicht nur immer und immer mehr die Schwerpunkte, sondern auch die Spannung un der Antrieb des Lesers, dem Geheimnis auf die Spur zu kommen, verlieren sich hinter jeder, scheinbar unnötigen Erzählung.
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil von Alice Kuipers ist wohl, für mich, der einzige Pluspunkt an dieser Erzählung. Gekonnt verwebt die Autorin umgangssprachliche Elemente, wie sie in Tagebüchern üblich sind, mit poetischen Aussagen, wie z.B. Gedichten. Dabei offenbaren vor allem diese poetischen Stellen, die wahren Emotionen der Protagonistin. Zwar neigt die Autorin dazu, viel zu detailreich zu beschreiben, dafür kann sie trotzdem, sehr gelungen, Emotionen zu ihren Lesern transportieren. Der Schreibstil von Alice Kuipers, wäre aus meiner Sicht, der einzige Antrieb, um der Autorin eine erneute Chance, mit einem anderen Werk zu gewährleisten.
Charaktere:
Obwohl die Autorin sehr viele Kleinigkeiten offenbart, die jene Geschichte, nur unnötig in die Länge ziehen, bleiben die meisten Figuren hinter einer dicken Oberfläche verborgen. Zwar konnte ich am Ende eine gewisse Bindung und ein Verständnis für Sophie aufbauen, doch trotzdem blieben viele Gedanken von ihr im Dunkeln. So erging es mir auch mit zahlreichen anderen Figuren. Genau wie bei der Handlung neigt Alice Kuipers dazu, den "Topf" einfach zu überladen. Für eine Geschichte, mit knapp 200 Seiten und einem so dramatischen und emotionalen Grundproblem, hat die Autorin einfach den Fokus falsch platziert. Sie bindet unglaublich viele Personen in das Buch und die Handlung ein und so bleiben die Meisten, für ihre Leser, nur ein grober Schatten. Wenn man sich hier, auf 1-3 Personen beschränkt hätte, wäre eine viel bessere Basis für den Leser entstanden.
Cover/ Innengetsaltung:
Das Cover gefällt mir sehr gut, es ist unglaublich schlicht und passt so sehr gut zu der Geschichte.
Zur Innengestaltung: Das Buch hat mehrere Kapitel, die in sich, wieder einzelne Abschnitte haben. Diese Abschnitte sind wie Tagebuch-Einträge gestaltet. Werden demnach mit Tag und Datum versehen. Ab und an gibt es dann noch ein paar Gedichte zwischen den Zeilen. Als kleiner Tipp: Behaltet die Überschriften der Kapitel im Auge, denn diese setzten sich am Ende, zu einem Gedicht zusammen.
Fazit:
Wenn es eines gibt, was ich wirklich nicht gerne mache, dann ist es Bücher schlecht zu rezensieren. Doch manchmal muss man sich einfach ein Herz fassen und seinen schlechten Gefühlen Raum verschaffen. "Vor meinen Augen" war ein Buch, an welches ich viele Erwartungen hatte und dem ich mit einer gewissen Vorfreude entgegen getreten bin. Doch leider konnte die Geschichte mir nicht jenes bieten, was mir von so vielen versprochen wurde. Die Geschichte bot, in meinen Augen, leider keinen überzeugenden Spannungsbogen und verdrehte den roten Faden, durch unnötige Figuren und viel zu viele Details. Dabei blieb der Kernpunkt der Geschichte irgendwo, tief hinter den Buchstaben verborgen und trat erst gegen Ende der Geschichte, wirklich in den Mittelpunkt. Bei einem Buch, von knapp 200 Seiten, was in meinen Augen keine lange Geschichte ist, kann man es sich einfach nicht erlauben, dass über die Hälfte des Werkes für die Leser langweilig erscheint. Dabei erwarte ich gar keine Action, Blut oder Grusel. Ich erwarte eine natürliche und authentische Story, die etwas in mir bewegt und mich an dieses Buch fesselt. Leider konnte mich dieses Werk, von Alice Kuipers, nur bedingt überzeugen. Der Schreibstil bietet durchaus Potential, aber die Umsetzung, ging mehr als einmal, unglücklich nach hinten los. Deshalb lege ich euch dieses Buch nur bedingt ans Herz, denn es wird leider nicht, "vor meinen Augen" bleiben und sich schon nach kurzer Zeit, im Strudel der Vergessenheit verlieren.
Erster Satz:
Ich blicke auf die Worte hinab, sie sind schwarz wie Tintenspinnen, und ich betrachte die Netze, die sie weben.
Inhalt:
Manchmal brennen sich Bilder in dein Gedächtnis ein, verfolgen dich, wie ein Fluch. Als wollten sie dir zuflüstern:
Du vergisst uns nicht...
Sophie schreibt Tagebuch. Mit Buchstaben, Wörtern und Sätzen fängt sie ihre Tage ein und versucht den letzen, schrecklichen Sommer zu verarbeiten. Zu traumatisch, zu schrecklich ist die Vergangenheit um sie mit ihrer Stimme, mit einem Ton, einem Geräusch, laut in die Welt zu entlassen.
Um das Geschehene zu verarbeiten besucht Sophie eine Psychologin, diese ihr dieses Tagebuch schenkte.
Doch manchmal kann man nicht vergessen, will man nicht vergessen, weil jene Erinnerung, die sich Tag für Tag in dein Herz beißt, einfach zu schrecklich ist. Mit aller Kraft versucht das junge Mädchen die Bilder, vor ihren Augen, abzuschütteln und bekommt dabei, das erste Mal, einen ganz neuen Blick auf ihre Umwelt, auf ihr bisheriges Leben.
Idee/ Umsetzung:
Manchmal erfüllen dich Worte, die du aussprechen musst, mit tiefem Unbehagen. So ergeht es mir genau jetzt, in diesem Moment. An "Vor meinen Augen" ist mir wieder einmal bewusst geworden, dass viele Geschmäcker auseinander gehen. Bisher hatte ich nur gutes über die Geschichte gehört und in groben Zügen wusste ich auch ganz genau, was sich hinter den Seiten für mich verstecken würde - eine gelungene, emotionale und aufwühlende Geschichte. Ich ging also mit all diesen Gefühlen und Erwartungen los, zog das Buch aus meinem Regal und begann zu lesen. Schon nach der ersten Seite, wurde ich von der unglaublichen Wortwahl der Protagonistin verzaubert. Schon allein, wenn man sich den ersten Satz, ganz sanft auf der Zunge zergehen lässt, dann wird man gar nicht anders können: Man muss weiterlesen. Doch was danach kam stürzte mich tiefer und tiefer in eine Welle aus schlechtes Gefühlen. Was nach einem relativ starken Anfang klang, entwickelte sich schon nach wenigen Seiten zu einer langweiligen Geschichte, der man nur bedingt, weiter folgen wollte. Auf dem Umschlag des Buches wird gesagt: "Fast wie in einem Krimi, erfährt der Leser durch Sophies Tagebuch nur Stück für Stück die furchtbare Wahrheit." Was ich mich also als erstes fragte, schon nach wenigen Seiten: "Wo versteckt sich der angebliche Kimi...?" Es ist richtig, dass man der wahren Geschichte, der schrecklichen Vergangenheit, nur sehr langsam und Stück für Stück auf die Schliche kommt, aber die Geschichte mit einem Krimi zu vergleichen, ist wohl sehr abwegig. Ein Krimi hat nämlich vor allem eines für mich: Spannung! Diese kam hier leider gar nicht auf. Stattdessen erzählt Sophie ihren Lesern, bis ins aller, aller kleinste Detail, aus ihrem Leben. Dabei verwischen nicht nur immer und immer mehr die Schwerpunkte, sondern auch die Spannung un der Antrieb des Lesers, dem Geheimnis auf die Spur zu kommen, verlieren sich hinter jeder, scheinbar unnötigen Erzählung.
Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil von Alice Kuipers ist wohl, für mich, der einzige Pluspunkt an dieser Erzählung. Gekonnt verwebt die Autorin umgangssprachliche Elemente, wie sie in Tagebüchern üblich sind, mit poetischen Aussagen, wie z.B. Gedichten. Dabei offenbaren vor allem diese poetischen Stellen, die wahren Emotionen der Protagonistin. Zwar neigt die Autorin dazu, viel zu detailreich zu beschreiben, dafür kann sie trotzdem, sehr gelungen, Emotionen zu ihren Lesern transportieren. Der Schreibstil von Alice Kuipers, wäre aus meiner Sicht, der einzige Antrieb, um der Autorin eine erneute Chance, mit einem anderen Werk zu gewährleisten.
Charaktere:
Obwohl die Autorin sehr viele Kleinigkeiten offenbart, die jene Geschichte, nur unnötig in die Länge ziehen, bleiben die meisten Figuren hinter einer dicken Oberfläche verborgen. Zwar konnte ich am Ende eine gewisse Bindung und ein Verständnis für Sophie aufbauen, doch trotzdem blieben viele Gedanken von ihr im Dunkeln. So erging es mir auch mit zahlreichen anderen Figuren. Genau wie bei der Handlung neigt Alice Kuipers dazu, den "Topf" einfach zu überladen. Für eine Geschichte, mit knapp 200 Seiten und einem so dramatischen und emotionalen Grundproblem, hat die Autorin einfach den Fokus falsch platziert. Sie bindet unglaublich viele Personen in das Buch und die Handlung ein und so bleiben die Meisten, für ihre Leser, nur ein grober Schatten. Wenn man sich hier, auf 1-3 Personen beschränkt hätte, wäre eine viel bessere Basis für den Leser entstanden.
Cover/ Innengetsaltung:
Das Cover gefällt mir sehr gut, es ist unglaublich schlicht und passt so sehr gut zu der Geschichte.
Zur Innengestaltung: Das Buch hat mehrere Kapitel, die in sich, wieder einzelne Abschnitte haben. Diese Abschnitte sind wie Tagebuch-Einträge gestaltet. Werden demnach mit Tag und Datum versehen. Ab und an gibt es dann noch ein paar Gedichte zwischen den Zeilen. Als kleiner Tipp: Behaltet die Überschriften der Kapitel im Auge, denn diese setzten sich am Ende, zu einem Gedicht zusammen.
Fazit:
Wenn es eines gibt, was ich wirklich nicht gerne mache, dann ist es Bücher schlecht zu rezensieren. Doch manchmal muss man sich einfach ein Herz fassen und seinen schlechten Gefühlen Raum verschaffen. "Vor meinen Augen" war ein Buch, an welches ich viele Erwartungen hatte und dem ich mit einer gewissen Vorfreude entgegen getreten bin. Doch leider konnte die Geschichte mir nicht jenes bieten, was mir von so vielen versprochen wurde. Die Geschichte bot, in meinen Augen, leider keinen überzeugenden Spannungsbogen und verdrehte den roten Faden, durch unnötige Figuren und viel zu viele Details. Dabei blieb der Kernpunkt der Geschichte irgendwo, tief hinter den Buchstaben verborgen und trat erst gegen Ende der Geschichte, wirklich in den Mittelpunkt. Bei einem Buch, von knapp 200 Seiten, was in meinen Augen keine lange Geschichte ist, kann man es sich einfach nicht erlauben, dass über die Hälfte des Werkes für die Leser langweilig erscheint. Dabei erwarte ich gar keine Action, Blut oder Grusel. Ich erwarte eine natürliche und authentische Story, die etwas in mir bewegt und mich an dieses Buch fesselt. Leider konnte mich dieses Werk, von Alice Kuipers, nur bedingt überzeugen. Der Schreibstil bietet durchaus Potential, aber die Umsetzung, ging mehr als einmal, unglücklich nach hinten los. Deshalb lege ich euch dieses Buch nur bedingt ans Herz, denn es wird leider nicht, "vor meinen Augen" bleiben und sich schon nach kurzer Zeit, im Strudel der Vergessenheit verlieren.
August 18, 2022
Dziewczyna o imieniu Sophie w dramatycznych okolicznościach traci swoją siostrę Emily. Przez ten wypadek dziewczyna czuje się winna- tak bardzo winna, że nie może normalnie funkcjonowac. Jak ma pogodzić się z tym faktem, ułożyć sobie na nowo życie i mieć wspólny język z matką, która kochala bardziej Emily- tak uważa Sophie.
"Najgorzej rzecz, jaką zrobiła" to proces przeżywania żałoby oraz pobocznych problemów- bulimia, zazdrość, niezrozumienie, terapia.
Dziewczyna opisuję co się dzieje w jej życiu za pomocą notatnika i rady od psycholożki. Nie może pogodzić się z tym faktem, że jej siostra umarła, a jej najlepsza przyjaciółka spędza więcej czasu z chłopakiem o którego jest zazdrosna. Jest tak pogrążona w swoich myślach, iż nie zauważa co się tak naprawdę dzieję u bliskich ludzi.
Przyznam, że książka nie zaciekawiła mnie przez większość stron, ponieważ wiele się nie działo, ale podczas pierwszej rozmowy z chłopakiem, Sophie zaczyna coś czuć dlatego też jest ciekawiej czytać jej myśli jak i czyny. W międzyczasie możemy zauważyć relację jaką budowały Sophie i Emily przez ten cały czas.
Wyjaśnienie głównego motywu w tej książce był dosyć ciekawy, a mianowicie chodziło o napad terrorystyczny w pociągu. Dla mnie to było zaskakujące, ponieważ nic się nie zbierało na taki zwrot akcji. Niestety zakończenie było wyssane z palca kończące się jak w bajce czyli, że każdy wyzdrowiał i żyli długo i szczęśliwie.
"Najgorzej rzecz, jaką zrobiła" to proces przeżywania żałoby oraz pobocznych problemów- bulimia, zazdrość, niezrozumienie, terapia.
Dziewczyna opisuję co się dzieje w jej życiu za pomocą notatnika i rady od psycholożki. Nie może pogodzić się z tym faktem, że jej siostra umarła, a jej najlepsza przyjaciółka spędza więcej czasu z chłopakiem o którego jest zazdrosna. Jest tak pogrążona w swoich myślach, iż nie zauważa co się tak naprawdę dzieję u bliskich ludzi.
Przyznam, że książka nie zaciekawiła mnie przez większość stron, ponieważ wiele się nie działo, ale podczas pierwszej rozmowy z chłopakiem, Sophie zaczyna coś czuć dlatego też jest ciekawiej czytać jej myśli jak i czyny. W międzyczasie możemy zauważyć relację jaką budowały Sophie i Emily przez ten cały czas.
Wyjaśnienie głównego motywu w tej książce był dosyć ciekawy, a mianowicie chodziło o napad terrorystyczny w pociągu. Dla mnie to było zaskakujące, ponieważ nic się nie zbierało na taki zwrot akcji. Niestety zakończenie było wyssane z palca kończące się jak w bajce czyli, że każdy wyzdrowiał i żyli długo i szczęśliwie.
July 9, 2021
I liked this awfully DEPRESSING young adult book! It goes inside the mind of a teenage girl suffering from PTSD. She also tries to suppress her feelings and ignore that her sister was brutally killed.
At many parts of the book I found myself crying and thinking how a train accident can affect people so much. What I found slightly irritating was that I didn’t know how Sophie’s sister died until 3/4 of the book.
The book also outlined other teenage problems for example being forced to make yourself vomit to make yourself skinnier. This is a serious problem for teenagers that is not talked about enough!
Overall it was pretty good considering I read this in 3 hours on the same day!
At many parts of the book I found myself crying and thinking how a train accident can affect people so much. What I found slightly irritating was that I didn’t know how Sophie’s sister died until 3/4 of the book.
The book also outlined other teenage problems for example being forced to make yourself vomit to make yourself skinnier. This is a serious problem for teenagers that is not talked about enough!
Overall it was pretty good considering I read this in 3 hours on the same day!
September 2, 2018
I admit it took me a while to get into the story, I was just bored at the beginning, but as the story continued I became more interested, I was glad about that ending.
Her sister died in a terrorist attack and she couldn’t let go of the memory, it was painful and I get it, but one thing that I really disliked was how she treated her mom, she was just trying to help, asking what she could do to make things better and Sophie didn’t care and always left when her mom talked to her, and yelled at her…
It’s a good book, all in all, just those two problems that made me not love it.
Her sister died in a terrorist attack and she couldn’t let go of the memory, it was painful and I get it, but one thing that I really disliked was how she treated her mom, she was just trying to help, asking what she could do to make things better and Sophie didn’t care and always left when her mom talked to her, and yelled at her…
It’s a good book, all in all, just those two problems that made me not love it.
September 27, 2020
À mon avis, ce livre parle du défi que les humains doivent affronter pour tout simplement vivre. Sophie, après avoir vécu un événement des plus tromatisants, se retrouve devant des sentiments et des pensées tournant à contresens dans son coeur balloté par l'incertitude et les malaises qui la poursuivent à chaque moments de son existence. Très touchant comme livre. La fin nous redonne courage en la bonté humaine qui peut, quand on lui laisse la chance, replacer, subtilement, doucement, les amitiés perdus, le sentiment oublié d'une simple joie...
May 8, 2022
malgré le fait qu'on ressente que le livre soit assez vieux de par ses codes, il n'en reste pas moins addictif avec une forme de journal vraiment simple à lire. il aborde des sujets assez compliqués mais avec justesse, sans en faire trop pour choquer lae lecteurice. on pourrait presque croire à un vrai journal intime par moment.
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