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jennbcunningham's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
reydeam's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review:
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-lullaby-by-sarah-dessen.html
I have heard many good things about Sarah Dessen and I must say, after reading my first book by this author, I can see why there are so many reviews hailing this author's books as must reads. Indeed, I did enjoy the reading of This Lullaby. I liked this book well enough that I know I will read more Sarah Dessen books. Matter of fact, I plan on placing at least one if not two Dessen titles onto my reading list for the month of July.
With the above said, why did I like This Lullaby?
Reason: This Lullaby is written from the first person perspective of Remy which allows the author to pull the reader into the world of the main character. By using the first person perspective, the story felt personal.
Remy, while not a character that I would want my daughters to emulate, she was a character that had depth and meaning while she is searching and floundering around for a sense of belonging. Ok...Remy would not agree that is what she was doing but that is what I saw. This young 18 year old girl has witnessed her mom marry many times over. This also lead to the witnessing of many failed marriages which equates to Remy that there is no such thing as love. That love is not worth the effort or time. That she does not need love, the kind of love you get from being honest, open and willing to risk your feelings with another. By ingraining these feelings within herself, led her to a string of boyfriends, all of whom she dumps in a timely manner. She drinks, she smoked and she has had sex. She actually seems like a wayward teen bent on self-destruction. Except, she does very well in school, she likes to keep her life in order, she is driven. Why does Remy endear herself to me with all the negatives? Well, she is maturing and slowly sees the error of her ways. First step, she quit smoking. She still drinks but on a far less basis. She is not "sleeping around" as she does not want to see herself as an "easy" girl. Her eyes are opening to the fact that her lifestyle is not positive. She is trying to make changes to make a better way of her life.
I could go on about why I do like Remy and as to why I do think there are positives that my older girl could take away from reading this book. However, I will not go on. Why? I am afraid that listing my reasons would lead to plot spoilers and I do not want to do that. I really think that you should read this book. You should judge and decide for yourself about Remy's character - lack there or and growth.
http://ibeeeg.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-lullaby-by-sarah-dessen.html
I have heard many good things about Sarah Dessen and I must say, after reading my first book by this author, I can see why there are so many reviews hailing this author's books as must reads. Indeed, I did enjoy the reading of This Lullaby. I liked this book well enough that I know I will read more Sarah Dessen books. Matter of fact, I plan on placing at least one if not two Dessen titles onto my reading list for the month of July.
With the above said, why did I like This Lullaby?
Reason: This Lullaby is written from the first person perspective of Remy which allows the author to pull the reader into the world of the main character. By using the first person perspective, the story felt personal.
Remy, while not a character that I would want my daughters to emulate, she was a character that had depth and meaning while she is searching and floundering around for a sense of belonging. Ok...Remy would not agree that is what she was doing but that is what I saw. This young 18 year old girl has witnessed her mom marry many times over. This also lead to the witnessing of many failed marriages which equates to Remy that there is no such thing as love. That love is not worth the effort or time. That she does not need love, the kind of love you get from being honest, open and willing to risk your feelings with another. By ingraining these feelings within herself, led her to a string of boyfriends, all of whom she dumps in a timely manner. She drinks, she smoked and she has had sex. She actually seems like a wayward teen bent on self-destruction. Except, she does very well in school, she likes to keep her life in order, she is driven. Why does Remy endear herself to me with all the negatives? Well, she is maturing and slowly sees the error of her ways. First step, she quit smoking. She still drinks but on a far less basis. She is not "sleeping around" as she does not want to see herself as an "easy" girl. Her eyes are opening to the fact that her lifestyle is not positive. She is trying to make changes to make a better way of her life.
I could go on about why I do like Remy and as to why I do think there are positives that my older girl could take away from reading this book. However, I will not go on. Why? I am afraid that listing my reasons would lead to plot spoilers and I do not want to do that. I really think that you should read this book. You should judge and decide for yourself about Remy's character - lack there or and growth.
desiree808's review against another edition
I just couldn't seem to get sucked into the story.
briiiiib's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
daphx00's review against another edition
5.0
This Lullaby was the second Sarah Dessen book that I've read and I liked it even more than the first one (Keeping the Moon). The story tells us about Remy, who has certain rules when it comes to dating - all to make sure she doesn't end up like her mom (who is now marrying to husband number 5). All works fine, until she meets Dexter in her new step father's store. Dexter is in her face and even though he's not Remy's type, she doesn't seem to be able to shake him off.
Dexter is the character that makes this whole story worth while. Yes, we follow Remy, but Dexter stole my heart. He's messy, stubborn, talkative and won't give up when he's set his mind to something. He's a sloppy guy who plays in a band - exactly what Remy has on her list as rules for guys NOT to date. But Dexter doesn't back off when she tries to fend him off, and I'm really glad he didn't.
Remy is stubborn in her own way and can't stand it when things don't go according to plan. I love how we see how she's struggling not to give in when Dexter makes it clear he really likes her. She tries to stick to what she knows but is finding it difficult when Dexter makes it clear that he's still interested. He sees what she's afraid to admit and I love that ("You bought me cutlery? You love me!") and it made me snigger while reading it.
I don't think This Lullaby is all that original in terms of the storyline, but both Dessen's writing style, the incorporation of music and the humor of Dexter and his bandmates made this a wonderful read for me.
My overall rating: 5/5
Five golden stars for Remy and Dexter because honestly, Dexter captured my heart!
(this review is published on my blog, http://lvngbooks.blogspot.com)
Dexter is the character that makes this whole story worth while. Yes, we follow Remy, but Dexter stole my heart. He's messy, stubborn, talkative and won't give up when he's set his mind to something. He's a sloppy guy who plays in a band - exactly what Remy has on her list as rules for guys NOT to date. But Dexter doesn't back off when she tries to fend him off, and I'm really glad he didn't.
Remy is stubborn in her own way and can't stand it when things don't go according to plan. I love how we see how she's struggling not to give in when Dexter makes it clear he really likes her. She tries to stick to what she knows but is finding it difficult when Dexter makes it clear that he's still interested. He sees what she's afraid to admit and I love that ("You bought me cutlery? You love me!") and it made me snigger while reading it.
I don't think This Lullaby is all that original in terms of the storyline, but both Dessen's writing style, the incorporation of music and the humor of Dexter and his bandmates made this a wonderful read for me.
My overall rating: 5/5
Five golden stars for Remy and Dexter because honestly, Dexter captured my heart!
(this review is published on my blog, http://lvngbooks.blogspot.com)
brigii's review against another edition
I don't rate it because I read it a long time ago and it wouldn't be fair, but I didn't like it.
sara_toone's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
trumanshow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I can't put into words on how much I come to love this book. I relate to the main character and I come to love the guy who was pursuing her, he really tore down her walls and made her reveal of who she was and what she actually wants in a relationships. I cracked up at the part when the guy teased her for being him some utensils even though she kept denying it wasn't for him and it was on sale but she really did bought it for him. He kept saying that she did and she loves him because of that, which is really sweet. I haven't read majority of Sarah Dessen's books but I hope to see more lighthearted and funny themes throughout her stories.
nasotnychuk's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
nathalyalvarez's review
3.0
Por este libro rompí mi regla de oro de no leer dos libros de la misma autora en un mismo mes. Pero todo fue con el fin de crearme una opinión sobre la autora.
Remy Starr es una cínica e hipócrita chica que se llena diciendo que no cree en el amor. Para ella, el amor significa divertirse con los chicos, asegurarse de que saben que la relación no va a durar mucho tiempo, y de abandonar antes de que las cosas se compliquen. Sin preocupaciones. Sin enredos. La norma de no relaciones que duren demasiado ha funcionado bien para Remy, hasta que al final de su ultimo año de secundaria en el comienzo del verano se encuentra con Dexter.
Dexter es la única excepción a la larga lista de ex novios perfectos de Remy. Es desordenado, hiperactivo, y un músico sin futuro. Remy ha prometido a sí misma a pensar en Dexter sólo como un novio verano, pero ¿que pasa si Dexter quiere mas que eso? ¿que pasa si su relación significa algo más que simplemente una aventura?
Todos los personajes de este libro son muy fuertes, porque cada uno de ellos tiene una cosa que los hace especial. Cada uno de ellos aporta un peso o una carga a lo que yo considero la trama de la historia; como los cinco matrimonios de la mama de Remy, la relación del hermano de Remy y Jennifer Anne y sin duda, las amigas de Remy: Cloe, Jess y Lissa. Me sentí muy identificada con Remy en lo de no creer en el amor. Y no lo hago. El amor solo existe en los libros.
Y he descubierto que mi problema con este libro fue el desarrollo de la relación entre Remy y Dexter, lo cierto es que la autora parece no dedicarle mucho al nuestro personaje masculino a pesar de que lo poco que le dedico fue muy bueno, no fue suficiente.
También me hubiera gustado mucho que la autora hubiera explorado mas el tema del papa de Remy y su canción. Era algo que hubiera hecho este libro mas memorable. Solo lean la canción:
This lullaby is only a few words¿no les parece que si hubiera una historia mas profunda detras de ella, tal vez, solo tal vez, este libro fuera sido mucho mejor?
A simple run of chords
Quiet here in this spare room
But you can hear it, hear it
Wherever you may go
I will let you down
But this lullaby plays
Tres hermosas estrellas ganadas para este libro de Sarah Dessen, un libro muy sencillo y bien narrado para pasar un rato.