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*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***
I read a lot of YA, but it's all fantasy and dystopia. I don't read much straight-up YA like this, but this book has been at the center of a few controversies, and my daughter wants to see the movie, so I was curious. Well. I can see why there were controversies! He's a freshman in high school and already he's had a friend commit suicide, saw his sister having sex in their basement (after he'd seen the boy hit his sister), witnessed a hand job and reluctant fellatio and ...more
I read a lot of YA, but it's all fantasy and dystopia. I don't read much straight-up YA like this, but this book has been at the center of a few controversies, and my daughter wants to see the movie, so I was curious. Well. I can see why there were controversies! He's a freshman in high school and already he's had a friend commit suicide, saw his sister having sex in their basement (after he'd seen the boy hit his sister), witnessed a hand job and reluctant fellatio and ...more
After having finished the book I can understand why the main character, Charlie, is emotionally stunted. But I still didn't care for his voice. I felt that he sounded and wrote much younger than a boy of 15 and 16, even an emotionally immature boy. I also, as I said in my status updates, didn't think that a boy of 16 would be so naive and innocent about sex.
I also had a hard time believing that this kid was growing up in 1991. I would have been just a year behind Charlie in high school, my fresh ...more
I also had a hard time believing that this kid was growing up in 1991. I would have been just a year behind Charlie in high school, my fresh ...more
I hadn't seen the movie yet, and I'm glad. This book was full of character development and I think if I had seen the movie first it would have tainted some of Charlie's descriptions of them. Plus, making epistolary novels into movies can be tough. I am going to watch it though because I'm curious how the film maker tackled the structure.
...more
Really sweet book for lonely, introspective teenagers. Every fourteen year old needs to read this book, but really people of any age will feel warmth for Charlie, who, in every way, is adorable. And in at least one way, he is us.
Anyone whoever experienced teen angst even a little can relate.
Nov 29, 2008
Courtney
marked it as to-read
Mar 18, 2009
Ching-In
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Jun 14, 2009
Isabel
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Nov 05, 2011
Vesra (When She Reads)
marked it as to-read
Nov 22, 2011
erin
marked it as to-read
Dec 09, 2012
KC
marked it as to-read
Jun 23, 2015
Tracy
marked it as to-read
Aug 26, 2015
ChristineElizabeth
marked it as to-read
