This book.
I am at a loss where to start.
I’m not sure how many of you have heard of this book before this but all I knew going in was that it’s about a touchy, possibly controversial subject revolving around a young girl and a biker.
It is all of this…..and so much more complex.
“In the meantime, the things that hurt other people healed me.”
― Bryn Greenwood, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
A reader will either love or hate this book. I can’t foresee any in-between due to the subject matter.
The subject at times is hard to fathom as we, the audience, have to fit ourselves into this (hopefully) very far from normal situation. However, it does give plenty of room for sympathy and empathy.
The writing is extremely well done. Bryn Greenwood makes sure there isn’t author bias in the perspectives. Greenwood gives a situation and it’s entirely up to the reader to determine their opinion. It’s not an easy book to read, it’s hard to read. Very hard. At various points I’ve hated each person she’s introduced to the audience.
Let’s talk characters for a moment.
The author does a phenomenal job with character development folks. Each one character described has their own little slice of crazy and coping. Each one I hated or loved or was just traumatized by on a personal level. haha
Then there is…
Wavy
WAVY
This character is tragically, continuously, perfectly, imperfect.
Wavy is a product of her rough life and she is grasping for anything good she can find. Grasping and holding on for dear life. As much as you cringe at scenes and situations around her, you secretly cheer her on. As the reader you DESPERATELY want and need her to have her comfort zone. Whatever that takes.
Now with the above being said, I would actually argue Wavy is not the character with the rawest deal in this book. However, I won’t give anything away – cuz that’s for you to read and enjoy.
(Or be shocked by on a visceral level – LOL)
The book title “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” seemed a bit cliche to me at first but as I read the more it applied to everything: To Wavy, to Donal, to Kellan, to Amy, to Renee, and all of them.
The title is a simply accurate and profound summary.
I can see why people hate this book, the subject is EXTREMELY rough and raw. It’s traumatic, it is not okay by moral or society standards, and it’s not redeeming.
The book is. Just as the situation just is.
It isn’t always black or white – life is grey. The author shows the grey.
She shows you “All the Ugly and Wonderful Things” with no apologies or sugar coating.
“I liked to play at tragedy, but she drank it out of her baby bottle.”
― Bryn Greenwood, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
Summary:
Overall Rating: 5+ stars (Would Recommend 100%!)
Plot: 5 stars
Character development: 5 stars
Dialogue: 5 stars
Writing style: 5 stars
~Ash
2 Comments
BFF · October 23, 2017 at 2:56 pm
What’s the subject matter of this book and what are the issues presented by the author that makes it a difficult read?
Ash · October 23, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Hello BFF! haha
The subject matter for this book is an unlikely love story between to characters with a large age discrepancy. However, that love story is just one part and the majority of issues come from Wavy’s upbringing with a meth lab backdrop, an abusive home, and coming of age. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and I can say I was fully wrecked by this book.