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Jennifer
Rating:
Review
You know what kind of girl Stella is when she describes what was her last birthday party, in the 6th grade. Her matter-of-fact description of her parents both dying because their cocaine was laced with heroin during the party's treasure hunt tells us that she is a teenager with an tough appearing exterior. In reality, Stella is desperately looking for a miracle of life to grasp on to, a reason not to commit suicide, which she has decided to do after high-school graduation. Stella's interactions with her fellow students, foster parents and teachers throughout her senior year are described in a very witty, dry, and surprising way that will make you go look for this author's second book, To Feel Stuff, just because.
Best Line:
"What if every day time could stand still in just the right places and the leftover time could eat itself?"
Kim
Rating:
Review
Our hero/main character, Stella Parrish, is a high school senior with no intentions of going to Princeton in the fall, which is where she's been accepted. We, as the reader, know this early on, since Stella makes it clear that she hates her life now, has hated the past 6 years of her life, and suicide is her best choice for her future. Stella's parents died when she was 11, and she's been living with foster parents Simon and Shana since, without the benefit of love, understanding or intensive therapy, and that's just the beginning of what Stella needs. Her maternal grandfather also figures in the story, mostly as the antagonist, and a peculiar one at that. Speaking of oddities, this entire book is on the weird side, and a little too out there for my tastes. This book is Ms. Seigal's first, and I liked her straight-forward writing style, which at times would cut to the quick, so I can't say she pulls any punches. Though her characters were a little too nutty for me, I am intrigued enough to look into her second, and latest novel, To Feel Stuff.
Best Line:
"Feeling something is true is not the same as it actually being true, but still, I think feelings go a lot farther than tangible proof does."
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