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anna_dunn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this book so much more than I thought I would. It’s so fast paced and I didn’t want to put it down. The story and characters are interesting, and I was rooting for Steve.
Justice for Dub though. She may have turned into the villain in Steve’s story, but she was definitely a victim in this too. We’ll chalk the lack of closure there up to the year published and the fact that it’s Steve’s story, but I’d like to think Steve’s guidance counselor in CA might have reported Sky, at the least..
chaoticworldoffiction's review
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kadm130's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason I just wasn't feeling this book. Maybe because the male narrator was a little hard for me to relate to? Maybe because of the constant shifts from past to present? I recognize the value of the book in that it had a lot of moments that made me laugh out loud and covered good topics such as your first major relationship and your relationship with your parents, specifically father-son, but for some reason I just wasn't there.
katiegrrrl's review against another edition
2.0
I liked this book, okay. I guess I expected more though. The book is touted as an edgy book, likened to Crank by the publisher, but I just didn't find it that edgy. The edge seems to be pot usage, a somewhat frank description of first time teen sex, but nothing so overly risque. what i found to be the edgiest was somewhat downplayed and not even discussed by anyone in the book, POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT, one the teen characters has an affair with a teacher and other than being caught by her boyfriend there is nothing said about. It is not discussed as being unacceptable or just fine and dandy with their shared friends. I was kind of let down by that. There was a great big lead up to this and then, meh, nothing else.
The writing was good and the story had promise, but I felt it lacked the drama that seemed to be promised. Steve needs on English credit to graduate highschool, his guidance counselor makes a deal with him writes a 100 page story on anything and he gets to graduate. So Steve writes about what brought him from Texas to San Diego, which is a 14 hour drive after the last day of class of his junior year. Steve had friends in texas, a girlfriend, was part of one the most talked aobut school groups and hates his father. I thought there would be some real reasons for why that all feel apart. Some examination of it collapsing but there isn't. There isn't really even a reason he dislikes his dad, other than that is what so many teenagers seem to do. Dislike the parent that wants the teen to more like the parent. Frankly the dad doesn't even push that as hard as I have in other books or in real life.
What i really did like was the school group of Dadaist that the protagonist and his best friend start and how the group seems to whole heartedly embrace Dadaism. It was a nice twist Dadaism isn't often a main point in teen fiction.
So maybe while writing the review I realized I didn't like the book that much at all. I really feel like something could have been addressed in this book. If nothing else than a teacher having an affair with a student. But I guess that wasn't really what the book was about it was about a teenage boy feeling like the world was against him and nobody understands him and his heart was ripped to shreds. It has been done so much better.
The writing was good and the story had promise, but I felt it lacked the drama that seemed to be promised. Steve needs on English credit to graduate highschool, his guidance counselor makes a deal with him writes a 100 page story on anything and he gets to graduate. So Steve writes about what brought him from Texas to San Diego, which is a 14 hour drive after the last day of class of his junior year. Steve had friends in texas, a girlfriend, was part of one the most talked aobut school groups and hates his father. I thought there would be some real reasons for why that all feel apart. Some examination of it collapsing but there isn't. There isn't really even a reason he dislikes his dad, other than that is what so many teenagers seem to do. Dislike the parent that wants the teen to more like the parent. Frankly the dad doesn't even push that as hard as I have in other books or in real life.
What i really did like was the school group of Dadaist that the protagonist and his best friend start and how the group seems to whole heartedly embrace Dadaism. It was a nice twist Dadaism isn't often a main point in teen fiction.
So maybe while writing the review I realized I didn't like the book that much at all. I really feel like something could have been addressed in this book. If nothing else than a teacher having an affair with a student. But I guess that wasn't really what the book was about it was about a teenage boy feeling like the world was against him and nobody understands him and his heart was ripped to shreds. It has been done so much better.
cassie_smith's review against another edition
4.0
I loved searching for Veronica Mars crossover characters and themes. It was a really good book though, I really enjoyed it.
lisawreading's review against another edition
2.0
Strictly run-of-the-mill YA, written in the mid-90s, with a decidedly dated feeling. I picked it up because of the author -- Rob Thomas, creator of Veronica Mars. It's fun seeing certain names and hints of story elements that would make it into the TV show. Other than that Rats Saw God isn't particularly worth seeking out.
kamckim's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this little book about a young man's coming of age. It was told from 2 points of view. The first is the omniscient voice of the narrator that tells us the trials and tribulations of the Grade 12 Steve York. The second POV is in the form of an essay Steve writes to his guidance counselor to graduate. In spite of his remarkably high SAT scores, Steve is on the verge of failing due to drug use and depression. Steve's essay tells the story of what happened to make him that way. It involves a sophomore love, his perfection-demanding father, and a divorce. Normal teenage stuff. I did say that at the beginning, I thought there would be something left as a take-away at the end, but unfortunately, the story is a bit Teflon, nothing sticks. It's also pretty dated with music and party references that someone my age would get (Nirvana, death of Kurt Colbain, ex). It was a fun, quick read; but I'm not sure it will stand the test of time. Others have done it better. There is definitely a lot to censor if parents are sensitive to "bad morality".
arisol's review against another edition
3.0
I did not feel very strongly for this book at first, in either which way. Now, however, I have to acknowledge its beautiful message about growing up and discovering oneself. A coming-of-age book in every sense of the word with how easily it relates to being a teenager, as well as how difficult it can be to not know where you're going or who stands by you, it tells quite a touching tale of finding oneself after having been lost in the folds of youth. And of course, Rob Thomas, the creator of my beloved Veronica Mars, is a helluva writer.