It's hard to touch controversial issues when writing fiction. I don't know if the story was trying to make any point other than entertain but I found the whole thing so judgmental so if it was, then everything that the characters did inside the story defeats its purpose. Yes, it talked of how people should empathize with people with disabilities and how they can function in the society. It talked about how they are judged but I think the book itself was judging. Even the people who were trying to help the people who needed help were judgmental.
If one tells a lie that one cannot support then the cover is blown. I think this would've been a great plot if enough research was made. It's like putting one issue over another without the right foundation. It will eventually fall apart. It's so muddled with emotions that doesn't make sense. One might argue emotions rarely do but emotions do have a source. Every bit of reaction is a cause of a previous action. The story puts one issue over another and a pile like that just won't stand.
All that being said, I would like to congratulate myself for finishing this book.
1 star.
Probably the only good thing about this book is the ending. You know? Because I can finally stop reading it!!!
Okay, the "lesson" Clay Jensen learned (if you even got to finish the book because I know people who gave up without even getting to half of it) was good too and that's one of two reasons why I even gave it a star. The other is that it wasn't badly written, but OMG this story! I wouldn't want my nephews to go anywhere near this book. If this is what teenagers read these days they might as well just watch crappy noon time shows. As if teenagers don't already think the world revolves around themselves and only themselves, we come up with literature like this. It's like giving them a reason to feel sorry for themselves instead of just SUCKING IT UP!!!
It's
not like she did what she did because she had a mental illness. I had
bipolar and manic depressive friends and even they don't have the need
to lay blame. And they are some of the most misunderstood people in the world.
This is a very sensitive issue, I get it, but if each *coughselfishcough* reason this girl has for doing what she did is even an excuse I probably shouldn't be turning 31 soon. I would've killed myself a long time ago. A lot of us would've done so. I was a teenager too. KIDS! High school is not going to kill you. Well, it's not supposed to. Were the people in school mean to you, Hannah? Yes. Is that reason enough to kill yourself? Pft. You mentioned your parents were going through a tough time at the moment and that was hard for you ... What? Their only daughter committing suicide will make them feel better? I mean, you don't have to be the one to solve your parents' financial issues but you could at least NOT ADD UP! Plus! Guilt tripping? Seriously? You did admit you let them do what they did to you but you said if the listener is the last person on the tape then that person can go to hell. The last person (actually a few people, by the looks of it) tried to help you and you just misinterpreted his words ... why? Because you already made up your mind because you're selfish.
Here's a thought. When you die, are you sure people are going to feel guilty for not trying harder to reach out to you and help you and be there for you all the time? Are you sure they will miss you? How do you know they won't think: oh thank God, at least we don't have to deal with all the drama anymore!!!
This is a writing debut, from what I gather, and when an author releases a book it's important not only to get exposure but also get the right audience. I'm big on short stories so I was ecstatic when I found out I was getting a free copy for review. Early this year, I took to reading adaptations of fairy tales (sleeping beauty and belle made into modern women and snow white and red riding hood in erotica) which I got bored of after a while. The Seed & Other Fairy Tales, however, is sort of a breath of fresh air.
Most reviews said this is a collection of quirky tales and after reading Unwished and Applebite, I had to agree. It would leave you thinking. These tales are dark. I was expecting some would be twisted too, although there is no promise of that in the blurb. Twisted just sometimes comes with dark lol. Broken down:
The Seed is a mix of traditional fairy tale and the modern world that won't be out of place in the original Grimm tales.
Unwished left me feeling too slow and unworthy haha. I'm really confused. SPOILER! Did the woman eat the rabbit (hasenpfeffer), the frog (cuisse de grenouille) and the fishes [smoothie - (yuck)]? Or did she bring them to the park because she knew the guy she fancies was going to be there and show off by granting the one wish he had (whatever that is)?
The Girl in the Forest is one of my favorites. I liked how the man found out what the girl wants from each creature without being told what they were and the text don't say what those are (bluntly) too.
Two and One is pretty basic and funny. Of all the stories, this one might be most appropriate for children. I don't think the collection as a whole is suitable for kids. This is more of a fairy tale collection for older people.
Calimire is mostly a love story ... right? This is the more "traditional" fairy tale with evil step moms and love conquering all stuff.
My All ... talk about unpunished good deeds.
Hunger Pangs OMG I LOVE THIS. It's the shortest of the collection, I think. But the prose, the meaning behind each word, the literature ... gaaaah
Applebite ... when I dream the details are vivid. And random. And weird. Applebite reminds me of my subconscious. I don't know what to make of the ending, though.
Sand Castles is one of my favorites. I thought this would be a feel good kind of story, but alas. Lol. But I liked the ending.
In general, the prose is simple and ... fairy tale-ish. Lol. There are pretty good quotes in this book, that I highlighted on my Kindle and I was so sure that some would already be on Goodreads but looks like I have to add it myself. Speaking of quotes, it kind of reminds me of the first (and only) Paolo Coelho book (Mahktub) that I read ... but in a good way. Because, unlike the other one I actually enjoyed the seed. I would have finished this sooner if I wasn't so busy. It's a very easy and quick read.
So thanks for this, Mr. Hillenbrand. I think you just gained yourself a fan. Lol.
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In other news, this is my 100th book for 2013. :)
I couldn't even read this. After I downloaded it on my Kindle I just looked at the book cover art the whole night. Okay, stared. I stared. And ogled. And almost drooled. That was how happy I was when I got it. And shocked because I've been waiting for the final book of the trilogy and I never even heard of a 2.5. I suck at being a fangirl.
So yeah, I was staring at it and I was squealing (deep inside, Rhoda, stop looking over your cubicle!).
I mean, what Daughter of Smoke and Bone fan wouldn't?! It's the Zuzana & Mik story! Zuzana isn't the main character ... but that's just what they want us to think. Because in reality, she's made us all into puppets to do the things that she wants us to do. Like falling in love with her voodoo eyes and her rabid sense of humor and extremist wit.
Guess it's a good thing I didn't know about it right away because it came as a very pleasant surprise. The bad thing is that now I want to cry thinking how long April 2014 is from now.
I'm super fangirling over this series. I can't help it. I got this for free on Amazon during that Halloween weekend promo thing but they're supposed to release issues 1-6 in print (as one paperback!) and I'm super going to get it ... but that's probably not going to happen until next year (which sucks). Looks like the 4th installment is a Christmas special as per their website www.betterundead.com. If you want to check it out, the first issue is still free to download as of this writing.
I can't stress enough how super awesome and super brilliant this is without using the words super and awesome and brilliant so maybe just go check that link.
But before that:
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Ellin: Why did you stab your boyfriend in the eye with my breast cancer awareness stapler?
Ryan: She just stabbed you with the world's stupidest stapler! You have to learn when to let go!
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BEST.SCENE.EVER.
