Scan barcode
A review by clarabooksit
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed this. It was great.
I loved the art and the use of pink throughout. I loved the diversity of characters. I loved that friendship was such an important part of the narrative. I loved that the seemingly simple story holds so much in it and it unfolds with delicacy and understanding.
It did an excellent job portraying what one kind of toxic relationship looks like and how it bleeds into other areas of your life. While it wasn’t perfect, it was very effective.
I read a couple of reviews that said the characters were underdeveloped and literally could’ve been anyone but I actually think that’s one of the graphic novels strengths. Do we know exactly who Freddy is? No, but she could be any love-struck, love-stuck teenager struggling with relationships and that makes it easy for the reader to see themselves in her. Relationships are hard, there’s no guidebook, and sometimes a piece of fiction is the catalyst for figuring shit out.
The only narrative element that really did nothing for me is the relationship columnist conceit. I think that was unnecessary. But overall, I enjoyed it and I love that there are books like this out there for young adults.
I loved the art and the use of pink throughout. I loved the diversity of characters. I loved that friendship was such an important part of the narrative. I loved that the seemingly simple story holds so much in it and it unfolds with delicacy and understanding.
It did an excellent job portraying what one kind of toxic relationship looks like and how it bleeds into other areas of your life. While it wasn’t perfect, it was very effective.
I read a couple of reviews that said the characters were underdeveloped and literally could’ve been anyone but I actually think that’s one of the graphic novels strengths. Do we know exactly who Freddy is? No, but she could be any love-struck, love-stuck teenager struggling with relationships and that makes it easy for the reader to see themselves in her. Relationships are hard, there’s no guidebook, and sometimes a piece of fiction is the catalyst for figuring shit out.
The only narrative element that really did nothing for me is the relationship columnist conceit. I think that was unnecessary. But overall, I enjoyed it and I love that there are books like this out there for young adults.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion and Alcohol