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stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
MTV Books publishes this Australian import in the US—and boy, should we be grateful for it. JOHN BELUSHI IS DEAD packs an emotional punch through tight narration and a thoughtful presentation of difficult issues.
Perhaps we may not share Hilda’s fascination with dead celebrities, but we can easily relate to her struggles to find her place in the world, from her changing relationship with Benji, to her new friendships with Hank and then Jake. She’s a quiet protagonist, but that doesn’t mean she lacks personality. Like most of us reading this book, Hilda recognizes the strange compulsion of her interest, but also knows that it’s possible to take her interest too far.
The details regarding the dead celebrities feel authentic. In fact, I feel like the entire book, while having an unusual premise, just feels authentic to the teenage experience. It deals with some pretty scary issues—like when does a friendship go too far—but doesn’t do it halfway.
JOHN BELUSHI IS DEAD is a must-read for fans of “edgy” contemporary YA books similar to Stephanie Kuehnert’s. Pick this book up to be immersed in a world you thought you knew.
Perhaps we may not share Hilda’s fascination with dead celebrities, but we can easily relate to her struggles to find her place in the world, from her changing relationship with Benji, to her new friendships with Hank and then Jake. She’s a quiet protagonist, but that doesn’t mean she lacks personality. Like most of us reading this book, Hilda recognizes the strange compulsion of her interest, but also knows that it’s possible to take her interest too far.
The details regarding the dead celebrities feel authentic. In fact, I feel like the entire book, while having an unusual premise, just feels authentic to the teenage experience. It deals with some pretty scary issues—like when does a friendship go too far—but doesn’t do it halfway.
JOHN BELUSHI IS DEAD is a must-read for fans of “edgy” contemporary YA books similar to Stephanie Kuehnert’s. Pick this book up to be immersed in a world you thought you knew.
banrions's review against another edition
4.0
I am fascinated by many dead celebrities. I eat up just about anything to do with Marilyn Monroe, Gia Carangi, Judy Garland, Lucile Ball, etc. However, unlike Hilda (the main character) its not how they died and where and such that fascinates me, its their lives. But, still I found myself identifying with Hilda in a way that I haven't with a character in a long time. Death scares the living shit out of me, it still does, but oddly, this book made it somewhat less scary. Or perhaps I can just acknowledge it better now? I dunno. I loved all of the information about the celebrities the author managed to put in, and I loved Hilda. I also found Hank to be very refreshing. When you find out about his past, its nice to know that it isn't just black and white. What he said and did made much more sense. In the end, this is a nice little story that I was glad to have spent a few days with.
Edit 4/22/12* Re-reading, still liked it just as much the second time around.
Edit 4/22/12* Re-reading, still liked it just as much the second time around.
elliotalderson's review against another edition
3.0
I really don't know what to say about this one. I really don't. I can admit I had/have issues with a few things that many people would probably roll their eyes at. It took me what seemed like forever to finish this. It was entertaining enough but whenever I put it down, which was often, I never really wanted to pick it back up.
It wasn't bad but it wasn't that good, either. I liked it but I didn't. I just don't know.
It wasn't bad but it wasn't that good, either. I liked it but I didn't. I just don't know.
sam_antics's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't really find myself invested in any of the characters (except Sammy the flasher), and the writing was just okay.
traceybookclub's review against another edition
4.0
i initially thought i was going to hate this after the first chapter... like, edgy pretentious teens? let me guess, they worship serial killers? get outta town
i'm glad i powered through because it went above and beyond that trope. everyone has a different relationship with death and it's interesting to explore how it manifests in different ways
also, for what it's worth - i'm a murderino and i think you'll enjoy this if you are one too
i'm glad i powered through because it went above and beyond that trope. everyone has a different relationship with death and it's interesting to explore how it manifests in different ways
also, for what it's worth - i'm a murderino and i think you'll enjoy this if you are one too
twoheadedboy91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
A fun, intense, morbid read. If you like angst and pop culture references, you'll most likely enjoy it.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
4.0
4.5.
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/john-belushi-is-dead-by-kathy-charles.html
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2010/09/john-belushi-is-dead-by-kathy-charles.html
sarahpyt's review against another edition
4.0
You know from the (amazing) cover and title that this story isn't going to be all rainbows and unicorns. And it isn't. Not at all.
Hilda and Benji aren't like other teenagers. Instead of going to the mall and hanging out with friends, they spend their time visiting the death cites of celebirties. You could say they have an obsession with dead celebirties, particularly the ones who have committed suicide or have died a gruesome death.They spend most of their money on artifacts from these sites, which leads them to meet Hank. Hank is a cranky, old, lonely man who is wary of the two, but Hilda sees something in him. When Benji starts acting strange, it is his apartment she escapes to.
Soon, Hilda meets Jake: Hank's neighbor, a screenwriter, and a high school dropout. Although they are pretty much completely unlike each other, they start spending more and more time together. Then everything seems to crumble. Hank is hiding some kind of secret and Benji is acting so creepy that Hilda doesn't feel comfortable around him anymore.
The beginning felt kind of slow, but by the end I was left with an amazing feeling. John Belushi is Dead is so different from any other novels I've read. It was full of unpredictable twists and unique characters. Each character was well thought out and displayed, so I knew enough of each one's personality enough that they weren't a mystery to me. At the start, I didn't feel very fond of Benji and Hilda, but they grew on me and by the second chapter I was hooked.
John Belushi is Dead isn't for everyone. Its pretty gruesome and creepy; however, I still suggest it for those of you who like these types of books.
Hilda and Benji aren't like other teenagers. Instead of going to the mall and hanging out with friends, they spend their time visiting the death cites of celebirties. You could say they have an obsession with dead celebirties, particularly the ones who have committed suicide or have died a gruesome death.They spend most of their money on artifacts from these sites, which leads them to meet Hank. Hank is a cranky, old, lonely man who is wary of the two, but Hilda sees something in him. When Benji starts acting strange, it is his apartment she escapes to.
Soon, Hilda meets Jake: Hank's neighbor, a screenwriter, and a high school dropout. Although they are pretty much completely unlike each other, they start spending more and more time together. Then everything seems to crumble. Hank is hiding some kind of secret and Benji is acting so creepy that Hilda doesn't feel comfortable around him anymore.
The beginning felt kind of slow, but by the end I was left with an amazing feeling. John Belushi is Dead is so different from any other novels I've read. It was full of unpredictable twists and unique characters. Each character was well thought out and displayed, so I knew enough of each one's personality enough that they weren't a mystery to me. At the start, I didn't feel very fond of Benji and Hilda, but they grew on me and by the second chapter I was hooked.
John Belushi is Dead isn't for everyone. Its pretty gruesome and creepy; however, I still suggest it for those of you who like these types of books.
la4est's review against another edition
5.0
A very underrated book! I picked it up because of the cool looking cover (pink hair ftw!) and was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. John Belushi is Dead is full of morbid references, so if you don't enjoy that kind of stuff, don't read it. This book is filled with gruesome tales of celebrity deaths, finding out who your true friends are, overcoming your past, and realizing that you can't save everyone. The characters were excellently written and I quickly became attached to Hilda, Hank, and Jake. I never liked Benji much. While Hilda starts to slowly emerge from her death obsessed world, you can see Benji's sanity unraveling as he tries to drag her back under. Hilda learns many important lessons in this book, and whomever is reading it will to. To me, certain parts of the ending were expected, although other parts were a shock, but it still made me cry. A fantastic book I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind a little death.