Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Blurb:
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down.
The Truth About Alice reminds me why I'm hesitant to dive into books with sensitive issues and why I end up reading them anyway. I can be a touchy person and reading about bullying has this ability to transform my feelings into a deep emotional state. I never experienced the kind of bullying the characters I read about go through nor was I ever a subject of derision and rumors and hate or intense blame, but I'm not impervious to the problem's full extent. This book reminds me how powerful and damaging
What sets this apart is Jennifer Mathieu's refreshing route to tell the story. It's told in point-of-views of four persons who each has his/her own motives which involves Alice. I won't go much into a further explanation of who they are, but when we interviewed Jennifer Mathieu back in June, I asked her to describe the characters in a single word and she thoughtfully provided them. She answered that Alice is a survivor, Brandon is entitled, Josh is repressed, Elaine is a queen, Kelsie is damaged, and Kurt is compassionate. These words perfectly typify each character.
I value this story for what it is and I understand the point it aspires to make but there are also issues that I couldn't overlook. For one, I didn't get confused with the switching of POV's but the indistinct perspectives bothered me at the beginning. I did get used to it and they became more discernible with time, but I wish each voice is more different and unique from each other. Aside from that, I was a little disappointed with Alice's character. I was hoping to get a glimpse of the confident and self-assured Alice that she was in the past but sadly, that part of her appeared to be already stripped away.
That said, I appreciate that the story isn't wrapped up neatly in a pretty little bow because it aims to represent reality the best way it can. I believe Jennifer Mathieu has written a kind of tale that readers (and not just this generation) can identify with.
About the Author
I'm an English teacher, writer, wife, and mom who writes books for and about young adults. My debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, will be out in the spring of 2014.
My favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. I can basically quote every episode.
I live with my husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat.
When it comes to what I read, I love realistic young adult fiction (duh), creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks me on the first page.
My favorite things include chocolate, pepperoni pizza, and this super hilarious 1980s sitcom about four retired women called The Golden Girls. I can basically quote every episode.
I live with my husband, son, one rescue dog, one fat cat, and another cat that is even fatter than the fat cat.
When it comes to what I read, I love realistic young adult fiction (duh), creative nonfiction, super scandalous tell-all memoirs and unauthorized biographies, and basically anything that hooks me on the first page.
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I usually enjoy books that feature multiple POVs, but it's important that the transitions be smooth otherwise, like you said, it can be confusing. I like Texas as a setting, but I'm still not sold on this one. Off to GoodReads I go to read a couple more reviews. Thanks for the insight!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. This book is something that I would also be wary of. I don't handle angst in books very well. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carmel, it is so important to really pull off those multiple POVs, it really can make or break a book.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry this wasn't more. I am curious about this book but maybe being prepared for everything to come will make me like it just a bit more than you did.
Hmm, seems like you had some issues with some characters. Still, when there are 4 POVs, it's kinda normal. I saw this book being praised on Goodreads but it has quite a low rating average. I actually have it on my tablet so will end up reading it for sure one day. Fab review, Dea! :)
ReplyDeleteI have no problems with multiple POVs when they are nicely done and when I can make difference between the narrators but it's often not like this. So yeah I understand how you felt here. Great review, Dea :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I can't honestly say I enjoy reading books like these, I do appreciate them and are glad they are written. And I agree that multi-POV books can be tricky -- sometimes I can't tell the characters apart, and other times, I really prefer one POV to the others..
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
This book is waiting for me, Dea, and I'm not really sure why I haven't dared to pick it up yet. It's also quite surprising that even though this book rated low for you, it still managed to be thought provoking. It's disappointing to know that the multiple POVs was not seamless enough, but at least this one delivered a realistic story. Lovely review as always, Dea. :)
ReplyDelete