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ncat999's review
4.0
I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. A great portrayal of an awkward adolescent at a boarding school, complete with over-analyzed thoughts and agonizing depictions of a thousand small humiliations. Sometimes the awkwardness of it all made it hard to read. This isn't to be confused with a light YA book with a perky teen voice; it's quite the opposite. I thought it was very realistic, but because it was, the protagonist wasn't very likeable. I empathized with her, though. She lacked personality to me, but even that rings true in a way -- I think many teenagers, especially lost ones like the main character here, have somewhat flat personalities (other than their neuroses) until they grow up a bit and figure out who they really are (and quit trying so hard to fit in).
caitlin27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nickscoby's review
5.0
Let me get the things that I don't like out of the way first: 1) Martha is not a fully developed character. We don't really know much about her inner workings and she seems more like a Mary Sue roommate than a fully formed person. (How cool would it have been if she was a Tyler Durden character? Alas) 2) Sittenfeld over-writes. I mean, some of these sentences are just over-done with writer's flourishes and aren't all that necessary.
But these are minor quibbles. Overall, I think this novel is positively fascinating. Not much happens, although I kept expecting a major death or plot twist. Nope. We mostly sit with the reflective musings of a flawed major character who, at least in high school, suffered from social anxiety and also had low self-esteem. She is not particularly admirable or even likable at times. The novel's gift is how well it details the complexities of social class in the U.S. And race--particularly blackness--is handled in a nuanced way, as well.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading Prep, but I am blown away by what I found here. I really hope that it is NOT made it into a tv show or movie because I fear that the major themes would be watered down and, ultimately, not as impactful.
But these are minor quibbles. Overall, I think this novel is positively fascinating. Not much happens, although I kept expecting a major death or plot twist. Nope. We mostly sit with the reflective musings of a flawed major character who, at least in high school, suffered from social anxiety and also had low self-esteem. She is not particularly admirable or even likable at times. The novel's gift is how well it details the complexities of social class in the U.S. And race--particularly blackness--is handled in a nuanced way, as well.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading Prep, but I am blown away by what I found here. I really hope that it is NOT made it into a tv show or movie because I fear that the major themes would be watered down and, ultimately, not as impactful.
amandag's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt and Suicide
carlosdanger's review
5.0
Pretty much describes (IN PAINFUL DETAIL) the high school experience for 90% of the population
addiewinter's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lee is me and i am her
cwagner's review
emotional
slow-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
3.5
loradawn's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The longest chapters EVER!! The last chapter was over 100 pages…not an exaggeration. The story was ok. The main character was sort of annoying bc I kept hoping for her to become more confident and she didn’t. However, I’d say it’s an accurate representation of an angsty teen.