Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Publishing Date: May 10, 2011 (first published 1999)
Publisher: Square Fish
Pages: 214 (Paperback)
Summary (From back cover):
I'm not really sure how I feel about Speak. In my opinion, it was very middle of the road. Not too great, but also not bad at all.
There were some things about this book that were absolutely beautiful. Times when Laurie seemed to stun me with her eloquence or her observation of something so often dismissed or not thought of.
Other times, however, I was left just sort of facepalming.
I will give her this, however, that Speak is perhaps one of the most accurate portrayals of a high school that I've ever seen in my life. Often, high schools are either WAY overplayed on the strictness/ how they work, or WAY underplayed. This version wasn't quite perfect, but man, it was close. I was seriously impressed with the accuracy of her portrayal.
Speak was a good book, but not the best. Other than what I've already mentioned, I don't really have anything bad or good to say about Speak. It was not a waste of time, but I also would not put it at the top of my to-read list.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite Quote: "You have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against."
Peace out, Girl Scouts!
-Maggs
(Note- This is my OPINION. I know tons of people who really liked this book, so if you think you'd be interested, I'd go ahead and suggest that you check it out. I didn't think it was a poorly-written book. It just wasn't one of my favorites.)
Melinda Sordino's freshman year is off to a horrible start. She busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, and now her friends- and even strangers- all hate her.
Months pass and things aren't getting better. She's a pariah. The lowest of the low. Avoided by everyone. But eventually, she'll reveal what happened at the party. And when she finally speaks the truth, everything will change.
Months pass and things aren't getting better. She's a pariah. The lowest of the low. Avoided by everyone. But eventually, she'll reveal what happened at the party. And when she finally speaks the truth, everything will change.
I'm not really sure how I feel about Speak. In my opinion, it was very middle of the road. Not too great, but also not bad at all.
There were some things about this book that were absolutely beautiful. Times when Laurie seemed to stun me with her eloquence or her observation of something so often dismissed or not thought of.
Other times, however, I was left just sort of facepalming.
I will give her this, however, that Speak is perhaps one of the most accurate portrayals of a high school that I've ever seen in my life. Often, high schools are either WAY overplayed on the strictness/ how they work, or WAY underplayed. This version wasn't quite perfect, but man, it was close. I was seriously impressed with the accuracy of her portrayal.
Speak was a good book, but not the best. Other than what I've already mentioned, I don't really have anything bad or good to say about Speak. It was not a waste of time, but I also would not put it at the top of my to-read list.
Rating: 3/5
Favorite Quote: "You have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against."
Peace out, Girl Scouts!
-Maggs
(Note- This is my OPINION. I know tons of people who really liked this book, so if you think you'd be interested, I'd go ahead and suggest that you check it out. I didn't think it was a poorly-written book. It just wasn't one of my favorites.)
AWWWW DARN! I really loved this book and I was excited that we had (FINALLY) a book we both have read! DX Turns out, you didn't really enjoy it as much as I did!
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad you gave it a shot and somehow you found something you loved about it! Well, a grateful 3 stars is quite enough...for now. XD
Wonderful review, Mags! I'm feeling strange cause my district's the only one on spring break, are you also on spring break?
Aww :C
DeleteSorry I didn't love it quite so much. Surely we'll find a mutual book soon though :)
Thanks! And no, I was on spring break about 3 weeks ago now. But I'm definitely missing spring break now, haha!
Oh yeah! I got Cinder yesterday! Hopefully that maybe our mutual book? Maybe?
DeleteI must confess that I have not read this book, for all the wonderful reviews and acknowledgements out there. I have seen the movie though, and I thought it was quite good. Have you seen it?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved how honest you were in your review! :)
I have seen the movie! I thought it was pretty well done, although some of the camera work was a bit odd in my opinion. My opinion of the movie is about the same as my opinion for the book. AHH WHY MUST I THINK SPEAK IS MEDIOCRE WHEN MY FRIENDS LIKE IT.
DeleteBut thank you :)