Good luck, Regina," Liz says. "You'll need it."
There's something quietly amazing about this moment, where I'm looking at Kara and she's acting like she's me.
- Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Griffin,U.S.; 1 edition (4 Jan 2010)
- Genre: Young Adult - Contemporary Source: bought
"I'm struck by how amazing it is and how sad that makes me, because I've never seen that. He's not like that around me. The way his
mouth quirks and lights up his eyes. He should smile more often. It's so innocent."
But the most beautiful thing about it is, this is nothing compared to the work they've put into destroying me. Nothing. I don't even have to break a sweat. Anna's been so untouched for years that she'll wake up tomorrow and her world will end.
Reading SOME GIRLS ARE was extremely tough for me. Even during the last ten pages or so I was doubting for the first time if I could finish it. Even as I write this review I'm not sure how I really feel.
I think I'm going to get a little personal here. It's relevant to the story, important, and it seems the only way that I can give you a hint of where I'm coming from.
I had two best friends for over nine years. Nine, excruciating, fucked up years. One was exactly like Anna; the boss and the other the sidekick being Regina; the bystander. Regina is right. The fear of being alone is very powerful, and it takes a lot to break free. I did eventually. It's something that's well behind me. So you see Regina is right regarding Liz when she says that she will get over what she did to her once she's left school, but she forgot to mention that she might get past it, but she'll never forget. It brought back memories that I have blocked for over three years now. I felt like I was reliving those days all over again, and as much as I hated how it reminded me of the past, I couldn't help but feel intrigued by Regina as much as I couldn't stand her.
You see Regina has always been a part of the popular crowd, but only though staying on Anna's good side by tagging along and at times doing her dirty work for her. So when she's accused of sleeping with Anna's boyfriend, thanks to Kara, everyone turns against her. All the years that she and Anna have spent placing fear into every individual in the school is coming back to haunt her in the following days. As they say; paybacks a bitch. And for Regina this is just the beginning. Suddenly she finds herself completely isolated and ruthlessly bullied, not only by Anna and her gang but by countless others who have waited for this opportunity for a long time.
I battled with this book throughout. It seemed unfair to have to see things from Regina's POV because at times I didn't feel like she deserved to tell her story. She didn't deserve for a hint of pity from Michael and Liz. The very two people whose life Anna made hell as she watched on. Two people that she ironically finds herself turning to during this hard time. Regina was cruel, selfish and a straight up bitch. Yet she had this quality about her that made you root for her, that made you want to be there for her. I hurt when she hurt. I grew anxious when I saw something horrible approaching. This girl goes through hell and back and it reminded me how cruel girls and high school can be; how ruthless. But then other times she would leave me conflicted when she acted just as bad as those who hurt her. It made her just like them, so where does the leave the reader? I saw my mate in her and it got to me; that after all these years I had to go through it all over again only through her. But in a freakish way it made me understand those bullies a little better. I might still not be too fond of the the sight of them, but I think I can understand them a little better. Although now I'm past caring.
SOME GIRLS ARE gave me butterflies countless times, made me hold my breathe and resulted in me contemplating in asking my brother to leave the room. As I read along the book became intimate, personal and harder to read. It became hard to read what was happening to her, but I also resented how she never learned or seemed to want to admit to her mistakes - not like she meant it anyway. If she had she wouldn't have reacted the way she did. She would have understood Kara a little better, and I don't know what to make of that. Kara took every opportunity to ruin her and take her place as Anna's best friend after she was isolated, but she had her reasons - good reasons. And although that is no excuse, it's understandable. I grew frustrated with Regina so many times throughout this book. Sure it was nice when she changed a little but why should it take a fall from grace to implement that? Why? Do I feel sorry for her? A little. But that might be down to the fact that I'm disgustingly soft. I don't hate anyone, and never will. I have my own ways in dealing with things but it's girls like Liz - who once trusted our protagonist, who may never fully be able to forgive her. Girls like Kara whose anger will eat them up inside and that's entirely Regina's fault. But Regina is so stubborn that she refuses to see past Kara's actions towards her, look beneath the surface and understand WHY she is doing what she is. Kara wanted something from her, something simple that she deserved, but when you have two stubborn, hurt, and angry girls like these it's hard to say if either are willing to talk or compromise.
Through all of this she seeks comfort through a boy named Michael. The very boy who has her to blame for being a social outcast. As tough of a time he gives her she is lucky for even that. The thing about Regina is that she's realistic about things. She knows that the teachers will ignore what's happening, that her mother is too stuck in her own world to notice and so she sucks it up and sits with Michael during lunch times who has every reason to hate her. Yet it's this very boy that may be the one to give her old self back; to give her happiness. It's an understatement to say that Michael and Liz were my absolute favourite characters. Out of everything that is wrong and horrible in Regina's life, in that school - they are the two that are grounded, caring and lovable. I wanted to hold on to them and ask them both to hang in there. Like I said; our MC is more lucky to have these two in her life - especially taking into account what she did to them - than she realises.
And so I'm left with a book that blew me away in that; I-think-I'm-in-love kind of way. Gripping, heart-breaking and beautifully told - SOME GIRLS ARE is a definite highlight books-wise of 2011.
READ IT <3
I curl into the ground until I can feel it's cold everywhere and I know I have to move. I push myself up on my elbows, my knees, Stand. Stand, Regina. It's easy. Stand.
You do it every day.
She stops. We stare at each other, but I can't hold her gaze, and I feel her looking at me long after I look away. I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes."Regina," Liz says sharply, like I'm dying right in front of her. I open my eyes and laugh a little at that thought.
She stops. We stare at each other, but I can't hold her gaze, and I feel her looking at me long after I look away. I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes."Regina," Liz says sharply, like I'm dying right in front of her. I open my eyes and laugh a little at that thought.
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