Showing posts with label The Ugly Cry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Ugly Cry. Show all posts

BR - Pieces of Us By Margie Gelbwasser


Note: I was really angry, passionate and frustrated when I finished this book. So I do get a little heated and cuss. (Just to let you know.) 


RATED: 4.5

They said it was too dark, graphic, disturbing and edgy.

I just say it's real. 

This book broke my heart. And I know for a fact that PIECES OF US is going to stay with me for a while. 

Gone is that funk that was hanging over my head for weeks. Because when I went out in the middle of reading this book, all I could think about was coming home and finishing it. It has been too long since I have felt like that about a book. Too long since I have been this engrossed.

What do I say about Katie, Alex, Julie and kyle? Well, let's start with Alex. Alex is one fucked up asshole. And Julie is an equally fucked up Bitch. in fact, I'd go as far to say they deserve each other. And that's all that i'm feeling right now after finishing this book. Just a whole lot of sadness and anger. Because although I understand what Alex went through as a child was horrible, he still chose to do the things he did. and although Julie was clearly disgustingly neglected by her mother, it doesn't take away all common sense. Alex, in particular, is very messed up. (maybe the fact that the two actually enjoy watching chickens getting their heads cut off was a bit of a hint, eh?) he's cruel and just made me uncomfortable at times. Because you see the sweet, soft side when he's with Katie but when he's not with her you see how he treats other girls. To him Katie is this saint. She's not like the other 'hos'.

 The problem with this is that - what happens the moment he thinks she is? The moment she's not the perfect Katie that he see's as different to all the other blurry faces that he has hurt, prodded and broken over the years. That's the real question. 

When it comes to Julie, it truly makes me wonder: can jealously really create so much hate, and towards your own sister too? It's just all so ugly. I mean. it was almost, no wait. Let's be honest here. I know for a fact she actually enjoyed watching her sister suffer. and it gives me shivers to say it. but it's the truth. That's how messed up she is. As things go more and more downhill for Katie - to the point where I just wanted to walk away and close my eyes to it all - to make things worse, she just continues judging her, constantly ignoring her even though all the signs are there - even though her sister tries so hard with her. Katie is not perfect, I know that, but god, she's a saint next to her little sister. I can't imagine going through what Katie does. I just can't. And my heart reaches out to her because so many times I wanted to hold her and protect her. I felt her loneliness and sadness and it scared me. Thank god for Kyle. That's all I have to say.

Kyle was a bit of a strange one. The second person narrative always made me feel like there was this barrier that I was constantly trying to push through when it came to him. It didn't help that he was so guarded. But I love how he is so wise and such a great observer. He see's everything around him. Maybe more than he wants at times, because even if Alex see's him as weak, Kyle can never back down when it comes to something he believes in. I admire that about him. I respect him for it.

On the flip-side, it was annoying at times how there was more telling than showing, (especially when it came to certain scenes I really wanted to see) and I did find it a little unrealistic how Katie's mother loved one daughter so bluntly over the other (also the reasons for her behavior just seemed a little meh). and that ending?

I kind of had this WTF moment. It was so abrupt and random that it just didn't seem to fit in with the book. 
A part of me considered knocking down the (.5) because of it, Because even now that ending really pisses me off, but it would be a big disservice to the book. Because it really just was that brilliant.
You have no idea how much I ached in those last few pages. I was so heart-broken and such a mess.

So forget those low stars, guys. Give it a chance. I think you'll find yourself a little changed by the end of it.

oh, and by the way. You'll find yourself really appreciating the cover after reading the book. It's so much more meaningful to me now :) <3

Definitely one of the great highlights, reading-wise, of 2012.  


Out in stores NOW. (RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2012) 

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 21:41 Comments
What This Involves: , , , , , , ,

BR - A Monster Calls By Patrick Ness




Note: There are so many reviews i need to update you on. i have discovered some wonderful aussie books. you have such gems to look out for. jellicoe road and the pipers son by melina marchetta, grafitti moon and a little wanting son by cath crawley (which i will be reviewing on the blog soon. they are lovely reads) the book thief by marcus zusak. This is shyness, jasper jones and fury are also a  few others i look forward to.  I just watched my week with marilyn. had a lot of great moments. and although i was really worried about her playing marilyn, i think she did a darn good job. some very quotable moments there too. And then last night i watched Watchmen with the little bro (was badass. rorschach anyone?) had a good time with it. got some crisps and chocolate and drinks and had our own little bonding movie night :)


Rating: 






 

After all the wonderful reviews on here, I knew I had to buy this book. So I walked into my local book-store today, determined and with a purpose. Determined that I was going to leave with this book in my hand. I walked in knowing that I had only ever seen one copy of the book in the store. So all I could do was cling on to hope. Thank god. The relief I felt at A MONSTER CALLS sitting there, almost waiting for me, is just indescribable.    

I started it two hours ago. I read it in one sitting.    

I think I expected it to be more like full-on grief books. Where there's a lot of heavy punches and an element of surprise. But with this book, things were more subtle, but amazingly, it had the same impact - if not more. I don't think I've ever seen that before. The author is obviously very talented.  

I cried. I did. More than once. And the first time it happened I didn't see it coming at all. But the tears wouldn't stop. I'm still not quite myself. Normally you read something profound, you let it out and eventually you move on. I think this one is going to stick around for a while.  

There are so many people out there who have gone through and are going through what Conor is. But the way this story is told and the way it handles this subject matter is just amazing in my opinion. Such sensitivity and understanding. You watch on as this boy is in such denial that he almost starts to believe it himself. He believes that his mother is going to be ok, that his grandmother is the enemy. And it is absolutely heart - breaking, because all I can keep thinking about, is how much I want to take this scared, lost and grieving boy in my arms and tell him how sorry I am.   

But there is someone who wants something from him. Who has come to him for a purpose, The Monster. But this monster isn't the one that enters his nightmares, this is a different monster. A monster that he soon finds himself growing dependent on and seeking out for guidance in due time. The monster might just be my favourite character of all.   

I have to mention Harry. I don't think I have ever been more creeped out by a Bully. And it's not the bullying I'm talking about, it's the way he silently observes him, the way he understands. It's so wrong. That the one person who makes your life hell, may just understand you more than anyone else. It's so much easier when they're just pain ruthless - when they have no motive. What do you say to a bully who actually gets you? Can you be any more crueller?   

I know many have said this already. But buy the hardback copy. The illustrations just fit so perfectly with the story. It gives you a whole other reading experience  

There were moments in this book that really made me stop for a second, close my eyes and breathe. Because how else do you deal with something so cruel but so out of your reach. His mother and his grandma are two women that I have so much love for. I am amazed by his mother, truly. How despite the fact she is going through so much pain, it's Conor she worries for. And it goes both ways. He loves and respects her dearly. They share a beautiful relationship, and that only makes it all the more harder. Whilst on the other hand, his father is a man that makes me grit my teeth in such frustration. I am just disgusted by him. The monster makes me want to take a step and perhaps face a few blocked out fears of my own, and Conor? He makes me care, so, so much. 


I leave you with some of my favourite moments :)

“I wish I had a hundred years, she said, very quietly. A hundred years I could give to you.”

Then the monster did something it hadn't done until now. It sat down.

"I can't," Conor said again. You can, said the monster, and then there was a change in its voice.
A note of something.
Of kindness.

It was not wrong, the monster said. It was only a thought, one of a million. It was not an action.

"I guess we'll never find out," Harry said, "what it is O'Malley wants."

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 19:59 Comments
What This Involves: , , , ,