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casspro's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book in eighth grade; it spoke to my wannabe-goth girl soul. The writings and poetry seemed very sophisticated and really tried to get a message out there, rather than just act as filler for the novel. A great addition to a school library, as I think a lot of kids can find something relateable in the pages.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
Printz Honor 2000
This book, for me, shows some of the pitfalls in the way that Printz books appear to be chosen. There are always a couple, usually among the honors books, that seem to be awarded for their edginess and/or inclusion of an Important Topic than for being all-around outstanding literature. Hard Love is well-written, for sure, and it's an engaging read. And I'm sure it was very cutting edge in 2000, but 15 years later, that edge is seriously dulled. What makes this story stand out from the paperback mass market ya romance/after school special is the a)zine storyline, b) lesbian storyline, and c) John's parents. The zine storyline is such a dated little niche in time: people wrote out or typed thoughts/stories/poems and decorated them by hand, then photocopied a stack of them and left them at record stores for people to pick up. I don't know how long this lasted before the internet took off and people wrote blogs instead, but it couldn't have been long -- I was only 20 when these characters were 16 and 17, and it was barely a blip of time in my recollection. Somehow, that seems more dating to the overall novel than the novels that reference pop culture frequently. Maybe because the characters are so sure that *this* is THE fresh and fantastic way to share their thoughts with the world when they can't with their friends and families? And then our main character falls in love with a girl he has always known is a lesbian. So much less shocking and original when shelved among all the books written in the last 15 years than it was when this was originally written. The idea that she was completely unattainable was important to the overall story; her search to figure herself out in a way that was separate from her parents was important to the overall story. Otherwise, this seemed to me more of a gimmick than an authentic piece of the story.
John's parents, though, were drawn really well. His father is still pretty unbelievably selfish, but I suppose some people really are like that. I'm not sure how much of this was intentional, but showing the similarities between him and Marisol in their needs to escape to figure out their own way, and the pain left behind, whether it's an escape that is socially acceptable or not, was really interesting and the best part of this novel to me.
This book, for me, shows some of the pitfalls in the way that Printz books appear to be chosen. There are always a couple, usually among the honors books, that seem to be awarded for their edginess and/or inclusion of an Important Topic than for being all-around outstanding literature. Hard Love is well-written, for sure, and it's an engaging read. And I'm sure it was very cutting edge in 2000, but 15 years later, that edge is seriously dulled. What makes this story stand out from the paperback mass market ya romance/after school special is the a)zine storyline, b) lesbian storyline, and c) John's parents. The zine storyline is such a dated little niche in time: people wrote out or typed thoughts/stories/poems and decorated them by hand, then photocopied a stack of them and left them at record stores for people to pick up. I don't know how long this lasted before the internet took off and people wrote blogs instead, but it couldn't have been long -- I was only 20 when these characters were 16 and 17, and it was barely a blip of time in my recollection. Somehow, that seems more dating to the overall novel than the novels that reference pop culture frequently. Maybe because the characters are so sure that *this* is THE fresh and fantastic way to share their thoughts with the world when they can't with their friends and families? And then our main character falls in love with a girl he has always known is a lesbian. So much less shocking and original when shelved among all the books written in the last 15 years than it was when this was originally written. The idea that she was completely unattainable was important to the overall story; her search to figure herself out in a way that was separate from her parents was important to the overall story. Otherwise, this seemed to me more of a gimmick than an authentic piece of the story.
John's parents, though, were drawn really well. His father is still pretty unbelievably selfish, but I suppose some people really are like that. I'm not sure how much of this was intentional, but showing the similarities between him and Marisol in their needs to escape to figure out their own way, and the pain left behind, whether it's an escape that is socially acceptable or not, was really interesting and the best part of this novel to me.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't get into this book at all. I think I just had nothing in common with the main characters and really didn't find them that interesting. I could see where the book was going and there weren't really any surprises nor really any memorable scenes. The ending in particular was just kind of there and didn't wow me in any way.
roces's review against another edition
4.0
Guy becomes friends with girl through a shared love of making zines, guy falls in love with said girl who is unfortunately a lesbian. Hard love, indeed.
John comes from a broken family and he's pretty much a loner ("a witty misanthrope", according to him). Marisol is an adopted Puerto Rican "rich spoiled lesbian private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin looking for love." At the start of their friendship, everything is alright. Marisol is a bit guarded though of her feelings and she doesn't trust John at first. John is a bit confused with his sexuality he's really naive when it comes to girls. He doesn't want to have feelings for Marisol because it would ruin his friendship with her and the fact that she's a lesbian. But of course, John can't deny his true feelings for Marisol. After an unfortunate incident during his Junior Prom with Marisol, their friendship is strained.
I think that both John and Marisol are really confused about each other. And I felt that Marisol was starting to feel uncertain about her sexuality. In the end though, John and Marisol's feelings are resolved. They parted ways, as friends. John was able to reconcile with his mother, at least.
I guess when it comes to hard love, the end would always be bittersweet.
John comes from a broken family and he's pretty much a loner ("a witty misanthrope", according to him). Marisol is an adopted Puerto Rican "rich spoiled lesbian private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin looking for love." At the start of their friendship, everything is alright. Marisol is a bit guarded though of her feelings and she doesn't trust John at first. John is a bit confused with his sexuality he's really naive when it comes to girls. He doesn't want to have feelings for Marisol because it would ruin his friendship with her and the fact that she's a lesbian. But of course, John can't deny his true feelings for Marisol. After an unfortunate incident during his Junior Prom with Marisol, their friendship is strained.
I think that both John and Marisol are really confused about each other. And I felt that Marisol was starting to feel uncertain about her sexuality. In the end though, John and Marisol's feelings are resolved. They parted ways, as friends. John was able to reconcile with his mother, at least.
I guess when it comes to hard love, the end would always be bittersweet.
beillumined's review against another edition
4.0
A really well written young adult "love story" that I found enjoyable and incredibly easy to read. Considering the fact that the book is older (written in 1999) the actual plotline can't really be applied to today's teenagers (I mean, really, I don't think today's youth write "zines" anymore). But other than that, the basic story was something that, conceivably, could happen, and honestly, does happen all the time. Teenagers muddling through their parents issues, their own sexuality, and their confusion about what love really is are issues that anyone at any age can relate to. Overall a really enjoyable read.
bonejr's review against another edition
2.0
worst main character i have ever had to read about. the ending did make me cry though
situationnormal's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely among my favorite books. A boy falls for his fellow zine writer who just so happens to be a lesbian and not interested in him. It's sad, funny, and very interesting.
kelseyinreallife's review against another edition
1.0
I kind of enjoyed this book, because the characters and their emotions were so deep, but the book ends very unresolved.. it's not very satisfying.
It's about a boy who gets into zine writing and he meets this girl Marisola who he becomes great friends with. He has all these troubles at home and you get to read his writing about it. He doesn't really know who he is, he doesn't know if he's gay or straight, but then he falls for a lesbian, which of course doesn't go well.. and it just .. ends. Books and movies usually come to some sort of conclusion, and this book did in a way, but the character still doesn't really know who he is, and he still isn't happy.
I'd say, don't bother.
It's about a boy who gets into zine writing and he meets this girl Marisola who he becomes great friends with. He has all these troubles at home and you get to read his writing about it. He doesn't really know who he is, he doesn't know if he's gay or straight, but then he falls for a lesbian, which of course doesn't go well.. and it just .. ends. Books and movies usually come to some sort of conclusion, and this book did in a way, but the character still doesn't really know who he is, and he still isn't happy.
I'd say, don't bother.
owls_rainbow's review against another edition
2.0
A cliche. The straight boy falls for the lesbian and tries to turn her. *sigh*
I liked the zine stuff even though I'm not really sure what zines are and have never read one. What happened between John's parents was never explained. If his dad was abusive that may explain why his mother doesn't like being touched but at the same time if he was I can't imagine John agreeing to have contact with his dad. I liked Diana and thought there was potential there that wasn't explored.
The ending seemed very abrupt and incomplete which frustrated me.
I would like to read the book on Marisol at some point though because I think as a character she has a lot of potential that was left undeveloped here.
I liked the zine stuff even though I'm not really sure what zines are and have never read one. What happened between John's parents was never explained. If his dad was abusive that may explain why his mother doesn't like being touched but at the same time if he was I can't imagine John agreeing to have contact with his dad. I liked Diana and thought there was potential there that wasn't explored.
The ending seemed very abrupt and incomplete which frustrated me.
I would like to read the book on Marisol at some point though because I think as a character she has a lot of potential that was left undeveloped here.
bgprincipessa's review against another edition
2.0
This book came up as my August RNG pick, and I couldn't figure out why I had shelved it in the first place - until I got to the very end and realized the author had also written a book I loved as a teen, [b:What's in a Name|522785|What's in a Name|Ellen Wittlinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328034792s/522785.jpg|2242590]. It also won the Lambda Literary Award from YALSA, but it was written in 1999 and it was such a different world in YA publishing.
The MC in this story repeatedly says he's not sure if he's interested in guys or in girls, and there is simply no space for ace or aro representation. It's never mentioned; instead he is called "dysfunctional." Then he falls in love with a friend who has since the beginning told him that she is gay, and I get the idea that you can't control who you fall in love with. But he has to go and act on those feelings, then get mad at her when she is upset about him doing that. Come on.
While I'm sure this book was revolutionary for its time, it feels heavily dated now, and not even because of the zines that its plot circles around (which seem to have come back with things like [b:Moxie|33163378|Moxie|Jennifer Mathieu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494950979s/33163378.jpg|46824140] and [b:Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|20702546|Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|Isabel Quintero|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400939056s/20702546.jpg|40022380]). Some of the language feels like stuff I never would've heard teens say, even in the 90s, and it just makes me really grateful for how far YA literature has come.
The MC in this story repeatedly says he's not sure if he's interested in guys or in girls, and there is simply no space for ace or aro representation. It's never mentioned; instead he is called "dysfunctional." Then he falls in love with a friend who has since the beginning told him that she is gay, and I get the idea that you can't control who you fall in love with. But he has to go and act on those feelings, then get mad at her when she is upset about him doing that. Come on.
While I'm sure this book was revolutionary for its time, it feels heavily dated now, and not even because of the zines that its plot circles around (which seem to have come back with things like [b:Moxie|33163378|Moxie|Jennifer Mathieu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1494950979s/33163378.jpg|46824140] and [b:Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|20702546|Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|Isabel Quintero|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400939056s/20702546.jpg|40022380]). Some of the language feels like stuff I never would've heard teens say, even in the 90s, and it just makes me really grateful for how far YA literature has come.