Book: Hate List - Jennifer BrownPublication Date: September 1st 2009
Read from October 31 to November 04, 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Drama
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
My Review:
The book starts with a newspaper clip giving gory details about the massacre that took place in Garvin High School cafeteria. The culprit: Nick, who opened fire on his fellow students. The Victims: Are the people that Nick and his girlfriend Val hated and made a list consisting of them.
The books is not about the massacre itself, its about what happens next. How such a tragedy changes people. Its story of a Val and her struggle to keep it together after the incident. Her crumbling family and social life.
The book starts with a newspaper clip giving gory details about the massacre that took place in Garvin High School cafeteria. The culprit: Nick, who opened fire on his fellow students. The Victims: Are the people that Nick and his girlfriend Val hated and made a list consisting of them.
The books is not about the massacre itself, its about what happens next. How such a tragedy changes people. Its story of a Val and her struggle to keep it together after the incident. Her crumbling family and social life.
It was such an amazing book that left me stunned and teary eyes. I cried, howled and got very emotional during the read. It just struck a cord with me. The book tells what repercussion bullying can have on a person and community. The story of Valerie is so haunting, powerful and yet so real that i gave me goosebumps. The feel of the book and incorporation of newspaper pieces, interviews and subplots add so many layers to it that you feel transported in the book, in that place at that time. I recommend this book everyone and anyone. If you can get your hand on this book please give it a go. It was without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2011 and I loved every bit of it.
The Good:
- The story is the biggest strength of the book. It deals with a very emotional subject which has been dealt with numerous times. You can either can go so right with it or so so wrong with it and i think Jennifer Brown goes so freaking right with it.
- The characters seems very real and they do change with the changes in the story. Its a self realization and therapeutic journey for them and it was for me as well.
- The narrative is another high point of the book. The paper piece at the start of the chapters and what follows give it a very mysterious and thriller sort of feel.
Nothing! absolutely nothing was wrong with this book. It is just perfect as it is.
Side Note:
Jennifer Brown is out with her new book Bitter End but its too expensive for me right now but i just can't wait to read it!!
Overall: 5 and two thumbs up!
Writing: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: N/A
Cover: 4/5
Favorite Quote: “Just like there's always time for pain, there's always time for healing.”
Favorite Character: Valerie
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