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phoenix_speri's review
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sc104906's review
3.0
Told in verse from alternating brother and sister perspectives, this story describes the fallout a family experiences after a random act of a violence. While the family had issues before the crime occurred, after they were forced to fight off a violent man with a knife, who broke in during dinner, the issues from before have rising to the surface. Paulie, the sister, has nightmares and begun smoking weed regularly to dull her mind. Jeremy feels worthless based on his inability to act as he was expected to during the altercation. As things begin getting worse and worse with the familial relationships, how long can the family continue?
I enjoyed Jeremy's perspective far more than Paulie. She wasn't likable and hard to connect to, but Jeremy was hard to remember. It appears that there were many layers to this family, I just wish the reader could explore it more. I think this is a well-done novel in verse, though, like with many others, I wish I had been given more information about characters.
I enjoyed Jeremy's perspective far more than Paulie. She wasn't likable and hard to connect to, but Jeremy was hard to remember. It appears that there were many layers to this family, I just wish the reader could explore it more. I think this is a well-done novel in verse, though, like with many others, I wish I had been given more information about characters.
alittlebithopeful's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Told in free verse, this dual pov novel is about a family falling apart after a random act of violence.
I first read this book in the early 2000s, probably soon after it came out. It left such an impression on me that I think about the story after all these years. I chose to re-read it to see if it lives up to my memory and the test of time. Incredibly well written, it is a tad dated with it's constant mention of emails instead of texting. It also unfortunately has three racist references that probably weren't even on people's radar at the time (example: "going at each other like cowboys and Indians").
All that being said, it is still a very powerful book about the aftermath of a traumatic event, and how each member processes the pain, fear, regret, and change differently.
Content warning: abuse, assault, suicidal ideation
I first read this book in the early 2000s, probably soon after it came out. It left such an impression on me that I think about the story after all these years. I chose to re-read it to see if it lives up to my memory and the test of time. Incredibly well written, it is a tad dated with it's constant mention of emails instead of texting. It also unfortunately has three racist references that probably weren't even on people's radar at the time (example: "going at each other like cowboys and Indians").
All that being said, it is still a very powerful book about the aftermath of a traumatic event, and how each member processes the pain, fear, regret, and change differently.
Content warning: abuse, assault, suicidal ideation
katiegrrrl's review
4.0
This is told in poems. I really like when an author does this and when they are successful.
The poems are in two voices Paulie and her brother Jeremy. Remembering and recovering from a dramatic attack their family survives while visiting the oldest daughter in Baltimore.
The poems are in two voices Paulie and her brother Jeremy. Remembering and recovering from a dramatic attack their family survives while visiting the oldest daughter in Baltimore.
vfurfaro's review
3.0
I feel like once you identify the different narrators, the book actually makes sense. Do I think it ended far too soon? Yes- It could have used a bit more depth, from the plot and the characters.
beexmd's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Normally I think that novels written in verse are kind of pointless, but I think it worked for this one.
I think Corrigan was trying to do something similar to what Jodi Picoult was going for in My Sister's Keeper, except I think that Corrigan did a much better job.
I think Corrigan was trying to do something similar to what Jodi Picoult was going for in My Sister's Keeper, except I think that Corrigan did a much better job.
christinap's review
3.0
This book is about a family made up of a mom, dad, and three chilren. There are two girls, and a boy. Mimi is the older sister, and Paulie is the younger sister (she's 15 years old). Jeremy is the brother, who is a senior in high school. Mimi is a beautiful young woman who is married to Matthew, and has a life that everyone envies. Then she finds out that Matthew left her for another woman. So, Paulie, Jeremy, and their parents go to visit Mimi. As the family visit at Mimi's home, someone high on drugs breaks into Mimi's home and tears the place apart in search of some "god"..The father who is seriously injured, but he survives. They charge the man with breaking, entering, and damaging the house. Before the break in, the family's life wasn't perfect, they had their issues..The reader is able to see how each family member deals with life before and after the break in. Lets read the book to find out how the family deals with the break in, and to find out whether or not the family can heal from the violence.
I like the book because it is in poem format. The book shows that a lot of families have their own problems, which makes Paulie's family and the reader realize that they are not the ony ones with problems. What I didn't like was that you really had to follow the poems closely. One poem could have been written/narrated by Jeremy, another by Paulie..so the reader has to keep track of who the writer/narrator of the poem is. Also, it is importrant to know that in the book, Paulie is a girl, not a boy!!
I like the book because it is in poem format. The book shows that a lot of families have their own problems, which makes Paulie's family and the reader realize that they are not the ony ones with problems. What I didn't like was that you really had to follow the poems closely. One poem could have been written/narrated by Jeremy, another by Paulie..so the reader has to keep track of who the writer/narrator of the poem is. Also, it is importrant to know that in the book, Paulie is a girl, not a boy!!
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