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Skippy Dies
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Question 8: Rating Skippy Dies
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Ashley
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Aug 01, 2011 05:33AM
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I rated it a 3. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I actually enjoyed the plot line. Others have said they found it disturbing, but I didn't- perhaps because most of the nonfiction I have read is much more disturbing than this, and with fiction its easier to separate whats not reality in my mind.
My biggest frustration with the book was the writing style, I think. The slow (I think others have used the word meandering) way about telling the story. Although it would have changed Murray's writing style, I feel he could have told the story just as well in half the number of pages.
Maybe I just prefer things to get to the point?
I rated in a four. Didn't love it, but it stuck with me for days after I finished reading it. If I hadn't found so many parts slow - and the beginning so repetitive - I probably would have given it a five, just because it stuck with me for such a long stretch of time after I finished. I've been trying to figure out why this book affected me the way it did: like Alisha, I read my share of disturbing non-fiction books, and I cannot believe Skippy Dies threw me off balance the way it did.
I'm divided about the length. I thought it dragged on and on and on in places when I was reading it. After I finished, I flipped back through, and I ended up rereading some of the sections I found slow and, with the knowledge of what happens, I could see how Murray was building and foreshadowing. So now I'm not sure if the book would work at a shorter length, although I would be more likely to recommend it to friends and family if it were not sure a commitment.
If people don't mind me adding a question. In addition to the rating, if people did find it too long, what sections would you cut or shorten?
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I would say 4.5 out of 5. I was very fascinated with the story and the characters and wanted to see what happened next (though I suppose the "point" is that the story will continue to repeat itself in future generations). Like Alisha, I didn't feel disturbed by the book, but maybe a little disheartened. Same with the drugs and sex- it was shocking but not entirely unrealistic (unfortunately).
The more we discuss Skippy, the more I appreciate it....may end up bumping up a star.
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I am going to rate it a 4.5 as well. I absolutely loved the way Murray portrayed the characters and plot. In a way he took no prisoners and wrote with a delicate hand in order to portray the true darkness and irony of the situation. It demonstrated his talent on many levels. I also was not offended in the least by the drug, sex, etc plot line. I think sadly in today's society this type of situation is all to REAL and common. His ability to capture the more vulgar side of the characters but still make them likeable and relateable was quite impressive.
On the subject of the sex and violence: in retrospect, I can see why Murray included such debauchery. Not all of it, but the vast majority - really, after being molested by a swimming coach (and that's one scene I'm very, very, very glad was not in the book), drugs and other teenage shenanigans must have seemed pretty tame for Skippy. When reading the book, though, I think part of my dislike for all of the drugs and sex was that it's so old hat. It's standard format for any number of television shows, where it's used solely to sell a product and to make something seem hip and cool. It's pointless gimmickry used to hide weak plots and no creativity. But, as I already said, knowing the entire story behind Skippy Dies, I better understand Murray's use of sex, drugs, and violence and why they were (for the most part) a crucial component of the story.
As far as comparing McNees and Murray: while drastically different, I do think they share a common theme in a character reacting and responding to a life-changing event. For Louisa, it was falling in love. For Skippy, it was a sick parent, molestation and, to some extent, having his first crush. The difference is how they were executed - McNees settled for a comfortable story that didn't push many boundaries, and Murray jumped in with both feet and went nuts.
So Lauren do you prefer the middle of the ground approach or the jump in with both feet and go nuts approach?
Depends on the book - although, when comparing these two, definitely the latter. Reading nothing but books like Skippy would be absolutely exhausting, but I personally love when authors really get into characters' heads and aren't afraid to push their characters to the limit.How about you?
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