Monday, October 1, 2012

Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Title/Author: Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson

Publication Date: March 24 2009

Publisher: Viking Juvenile 

Source: My library

Rating: 5/5 Scales






Wintergirls is the type of book where you either hate it (Liz) or love it (me). There is no in between. To say I was surprised that this book was amazing would be a lie. I love Laurie Halse Anderson. She is not afraid to write what other authors would not dare to write ever. While other authors are out there writing fiction about faries that have the power to save the world (not that i have anything against those types of books), she is writing about real world problems that are letting people like me, who never think about anorexia or imagine what it would be like, a glimpse into that world. Yes, this book is not based on real people or real events, but it is definitely someones reality out there. I don't know about you, but that scares me.

Now! Enough about the author, it's time to get down and wordy. (Do you get what I did there? :D) But before I do heres the summary/description:

"Dead girl walking," the boys say in the halls.
"Tell us your secret," the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.


Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend's restless spirit.

I loved this book, theres nothing I didn't like about it. I loved how I could see into Lia's mind, how I could understand her problems, how I felt myself going crazy when I wasn't reading the book, because I was thinking about Lia. I loved how it was Lia against herself, and how the problems didn't magically solve. I loved how real it was and how emotionally attached (its not creepy...) I got to Lia. I don't want anyone to go through what Lia went through because it would be torture. Self torture; the worst kind.

I thought the book flowed really well from scene to scene and chapter to chapter. I also thought that Laurie Halse Anderson's type of writing really went with the book (which makes sense. She wrote it...) making it really easy to read even with scratched out sentences. Everything my english teacher would ask me to think about (setting, character development, plot, etc.) was pretty much perfect (I might be a little biased). 

What this book really brings to the table is its emotional baggage. And unless you have a rock hard/stone cold heart, then you probably will be picking it up. But I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE except little kids. If you have an eating disorder this book could really help you out. Yes it is sad and depressing and a little bit scary, but it shows how to get help. To all you readers, give it a shot.

If you pick up this book or have already picked it up and hate it, feel free to email me about how wrong I am. I love talking to people, even though sometimes they don't like talking to me... :) Also if you have any problems and just want someone to talk to, I am here. There are always people around that care, even if you can't see them.

"Help can be just around the corner when you need it"
- Unknown

- Meg (P.S. it's 1:46 am. Just saying.)

2 comments:

  1. I love Wintergirls. I want to be Laurie Halse Anderson when I grow up (and I'm 49...ish). I especially love her ability to disappear into her characters. She not only writes about contemporary teens, but also about children from our past. CHAINS is a wonderful book about an African-American girl caught in the uproar of the Revolutionary War. FEVER documents one of the most horrific epidemics in American history. Laurie Anderson's skill is to write characters from many different places and times, and render them authentic, in language worthy of poetry. Brava!
    I especially love the fairytale connection in Wintergirls. Our protagonist is Sleeping Beauty, waiting to awaken. Cassie, her nemesis in many ways, is Prosephone, speaking from the underworld. Lovely.
    Laneshasays.com
    Jewell Parker Rhodes
    laneshasays.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're too sweet! And hey, 49 isn't even old! You still have YEARS to become Laurie Halse Anderson! I speak on Meg's behalf as well as my own when I say that we appreciate your support!
      Hugs!
      Liz

      Delete