Wintergirls November 18, 2009

Title: Wintergirls

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Reading Recommendation: tough book (emotionally), but excellent pick if you are looking for a book that deals with eating disorders and cutting

My Reflection:

Having enjoyed the audio version of Twisted by Anderson, I decided to listen to Wintergirls next. I know that Anderson has a reputation for writing about some of the toughest teen issues, but this was a very difficult book to read. It wasn’t as much the topics–eating disorders, death of a friend, and cutting– that made it difficult as it was the tone; even Speak (about rape) had a humorous tone, a sardonic humor, but humor nonetheless.

That fact is not necessarily a flaw. On the contrary, Anderson writes with her typical powerful, vivid, and emotive language. So vivid that I had to keep my writing journal nearby and copy down phrase after phrase as inspiration. And I was eager to find out whether Lia would conquer all of her guilt, pain, and demons, so I found I was turning on my ipod at every chance. However, this is not a book that I would recommend simply for the sake of reading it; if it catches your attention and you feel you can cope with the dark story, read it. Or, if you are seeking a novel that deals frankly with the topics of eating disorders and/or cutting, it will certainly be worth your read.

Twisted October 31, 2009

Title: Twisted

Writer: Laurie Halse Anderson

Reading Recommendation: Good appeal for teens

My Reflection:

At first I didn’t like this book, and frankly, couldn’t figure out why it received such good reviews. The first portion of the book was largely spent with Tyler oogling over the popular and sexy Bethany. I kept thinking, “This is like chick lit, but in reverse, and it’s just disturbing to hear this guy’s mental soundtrack as he drools over this girl.”

But once we pass that section of the book, I really gained an appreciation for the novel. We see a teenage boy struggling with his family, being a social outcast, and being accused of something he did not do. I found that the beginning section of the book that annoyed me was indeed necessary, both to the plot and Tyler’s character development.

Anderson does an excellent job of writing for her YA audience—I think Twisted is a book that teens can not only enjoy, but use to wrestle with some important issues like suicide and bullying. While her writing will appeal to teens, Anderson still uses strong motifs and symbols; I especially appreciate her use of vivid, extended metaphors.

I would find this a difficult book to rate because while the writing is strong, and the story will appeal to teens, I do disagree with parts of it too. Tyler blames his desperate actions primarily on his father. No doubt about it, his father is part of the problem, but, as the story progressed, Tyler seemed to be more motivated by his peers than family. Further, to gain resolution with his father, Tyler is violent and disrespectful; his actions are entirely consistent with his character, and I think it was of upmost importance that his father saw how hurt he was, I just don’t think that was the healthiest way to come about it. I wouldn’t want to encourage that sort of behavior as a way for teens to resolve conflicts with parents.

But in the end, it was a worthwhile read, and certainly one teens would like. I saw that the book had been nominated as a “quick pick for reluctant young adult readers.” Though of course such a label doesn’t limit the readership to that group, as a (former) high school English teacher, I agree whole-heartedly with that assessment.