#51 Every Esquisite Thing by Mathew Quick

[Chris]

This thread is to discuss Every Esquisite Thing. Please post spoilers and where you are in the book.

[Susan]

Ohhhh I think I have this one.......let me look.

[Deanna]

I have this one! I will join in after I finish my current book...hopefully tomorrow or Friday! Yay!

[Deanna]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[First, the writing is immediately really good and attention grabbing. After the first chapter, I'm already worried about the student-teacher relationship. That book sounds weird. Her fascination with it surprises me. Wanting to meet the author kind of reminds me of The Fault in Our Stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[Well, I saw that coming. I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly or her teacher to rebuff her, but I'm so glad he did. For once, a solid reaction of a teacher in a book. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ I'm happy she has Alex now. Hopefully he'll be a good guy. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ This was my favorite chapter so far. I finally connected with Nanette. I wasn't a drinker in HS and hated peer pressure. I get her stance. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Part One Finished (Ch 18) (view spoiler)[ I feel like Nanette has lost herself while trying to "quit" and find herself in this first half. Everything that was positive has slowly started skewing toward the negative. I'm interested in seeing what Part Two brings. Hopefully, a growing up of sorts. This is definitely an interesting coming of age novel.
P.S. Did you notice the nod to his random dedication at the beginning of the book? (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Okay, so I think I finally fell in love with this book. Nanette and her therapist are awesome. I love what they've figured out together. I can't wait to see how everything goes from here for Nanette in the third person. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ Nanette in third person is a little weird. But I love all the discoveries she's making! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ I think Nanette handled Alex well. She's obviously attracted to him, but I think she knows maybe that isn't enough and his poems might have proved that to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ Alex's death is sad. So many people missed out on his problems it seems. Or maybe they didn't. Nanette just did. Her reaction so far has been interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ Okay, so this now my favorite chapter in the book. The conversation with Officer Damon was spot on and so good. (I just wish Nanette was back in first person.) (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 29 (view spoiler)[ I feel so bad for Nanette. I wish she wouldn't have tried to conform for the party. The book is almost over and I don't know if she's going to get herself figured out. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 32 (view spoiler)[ I'm pretty sad right now about Nanette stopping therapy and then turning back to the things she doesn't enjoy. I especially dislike her experiment with Ned and the way she lost her virginity. It should have been an exciting time, but it was just there. And she was upset about it after and can never take that back. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapter 35 (view spoiler)[That was an epic breakdown that I had to see coming. Although, I feel sorry for Ned since she freaked out on the way to prom. I am surprised her parents didn't call her shrink or something. She may have been talking in first person, but she obviously needs more help. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I feel like I still need to know what's going to happen to Nanette. She still has so much work to do and I feel like the author left her floating with possibilities but still stuck. It was a good read, but didn't leave me feeling fulfilled. (hide spoiler)]