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baoluong's review against another edition
2.0
I think that this book was trying to say something prolific but I totally missed the mark. The book was so full of itself that I couldn't see what it was worth. So the only thing I got from this was it's hard to be beautiful especially as a woman (they didn't really address people who identifies as women but those who were born). And Finn is one of those sensitive souls.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for challenging heteronormative gender roles but the way it was handled in this book made it seem like everything was a fantasy. It's not, it's very real and the characters used along with the plot gave a sort of magical realism to a story that didn't need it. I was confused half the time of what was real and it somehow made the situation seem less serious for it. The writing was convoluted and tedious to read. Things just happen and there's little to no reason further making my comprehension cloudy. Perhaps this was the intention but to me I couldn't get into the story.
The way this issue was handled was not in my opinion appropriate because it's so narrow minded in its argument. Honestly, I think Roza's story should have been handled with more thought than the vapid and superficial "lesson" being presented. There's so much potential for this topic but it just doesn't work when it reads as a fairytale and undermines the larger picture of the struggle women face. It's like Diet Feminism that doesn't really say anything but just wants the benefits of being somewhat a part of the movement.
Does more harm than good because of that unfortunately.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for challenging heteronormative gender roles but the way it was handled in this book made it seem like everything was a fantasy. It's not, it's very real and the characters used along with the plot gave a sort of magical realism to a story that didn't need it. I was confused half the time of what was real and it somehow made the situation seem less serious for it. The writing was convoluted and tedious to read. Things just happen and there's little to no reason further making my comprehension cloudy. Perhaps this was the intention but to me I couldn't get into the story.
The way this issue was handled was not in my opinion appropriate because it's so narrow minded in its argument. Honestly, I think Roza's story should have been handled with more thought than the vapid and superficial "lesson" being presented. There's so much potential for this topic but it just doesn't work when it reads as a fairytale and undermines the larger picture of the struggle women face. It's like Diet Feminism that doesn't really say anything but just wants the benefits of being somewhat a part of the movement.
Does more harm than good because of that unfortunately.
tracylr4's review against another edition
3.0
The first half was very slow. Didn't suck me in. Only in the last quarter in the book did I get sucked in. Also the end seemed to drag out a bit and the Rude boy that turned out to be gay seemed like an after thought.
rereader33's review against another edition
2.0
You know what? I have absolutely zero interest in writing a coherent, in-depth review about this novel. Which is a shame, because I was pretty invested until about the halfway mark and then I mentally checked out. In lieu of a proper review, here are some bullet points that sum up my feelings as best as my lazy ass can. Enjoy.
-The writing was probably the best aspect of this story. It was engaging if not melodramatic and ridiculous at times, but I liked it.
-While I initially sympathized with Finn and Sean, eventually I got tired of these two not using their big boy words and stopped giving a fuck. There's only so much miscommunication I can tolerate before I want to smack fictional characters for being stupid.
-Petey started off strong and then decided to Google diagnose the guy she likes and somehow make his diagnosis about her. Wow. I hesitate to say this is realistic for a teenager because I think most teenagers would be more sympathetic and less self-centered than her.
-A kid comes out as gay in the very last chapter and I'm supposed to be okay with that and consider LGTQAI rep? Yeah, no.
-A kid's medical condition is not only used as a plot device but is also a plot reveal. *sighs* we're never going to get away from this, are we?
-The Scare Crow or whatever the fuck the villain's called was so stereotypically shallow and creepy that I couldn't take him seriously. He's literally just a creepy, perverted man who only cares about a woman's beauty. Riveting.
-A woman has to physically harm/disfigure herself in order to escape the villain and is totally okay with her newly disfigured body. I sure as hell hope I'm not supposed to consider this feminist because I personally find it fucking obnoxious and only existing to serve the message.
-Speaking of messages, the beauty is dangerous for a woman message would not let it up and got really fucking obnoxious after awhile. We GET it, beautiful women get hit on and accosted by disgusting, perverted men, CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON?!
-Also, most of the men presented in this story are either a). perverted, misogynistic creeps, b) fucking useless, or c) Sean and Finn. Cuz we can't have a pseudo-feminist novel revolving around beauty without most men being the scum of the earth, am I right?!
That's about all I have to say. If you want to read this, fine, but I would be hesitant to recommend this to someone over other magical realism stories.
-The writing was probably the best aspect of this story. It was engaging if not melodramatic and ridiculous at times, but I liked it.
-While I initially sympathized with Finn and Sean, eventually I got tired of these two not using their big boy words and stopped giving a fuck. There's only so much miscommunication I can tolerate before I want to smack fictional characters for being stupid.
-Petey started off strong and then decided to Google diagnose the guy she likes and somehow make his diagnosis about her. Wow. I hesitate to say this is realistic for a teenager because I think most teenagers would be more sympathetic and less self-centered than her.
-A kid comes out as gay in the very last chapter and I'm supposed to be okay with that and consider LGTQAI rep? Yeah, no.
-A kid's medical condition is not only used as a plot device but is also a plot reveal. *sighs* we're never going to get away from this, are we?
-The Scare Crow or whatever the fuck the villain's called was so stereotypically shallow and creepy that I couldn't take him seriously. He's literally just a creepy, perverted man who only cares about a woman's beauty. Riveting.
-A woman has to physically harm/disfigure herself in order to escape the villain and is totally okay with her newly disfigured body. I sure as hell hope I'm not supposed to consider this feminist because I personally find it fucking obnoxious and only existing to serve the message.
-Speaking of messages, the beauty is dangerous for a woman message would not let it up and got really fucking obnoxious after awhile. We GET it, beautiful women get hit on and accosted by disgusting, perverted men, CAN WE PLEASE MOVE ON?!
-Also, most of the men presented in this story are either a). perverted, misogynistic creeps, b) fucking useless, or c) Sean and Finn. Cuz we can't have a pseudo-feminist novel revolving around beauty without most men being the scum of the earth, am I right?!
That's about all I have to say. If you want to read this, fine, but I would be hesitant to recommend this to someone over other magical realism stories.
heather1999's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
bekah_divall's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The entire time I read it I was on the edge of my seat, always asking questions in my head about what was going to happen next. This book does have romance so be aware!
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
It turns out the first 20% of this book does a really great job of NOT telling you what kind of book it's going to be by the last 20%. I could see how that would turn people off, but I found it delightful. Some good characters, and I really enjoyed was the portrayal of the small town - it's critical, but also affectionate.
Also, a very memorable portrayal of corn.
Also, a very memorable portrayal of corn.
meanbeanreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a case of right book, right time. It struck an emotional chord with me, hence the five stars.
joyceeeee_k's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of disappointing from what I was expecting, but still a good read.