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Faking Normal
By Courtney C. Stevens
Published by HarperCollins
Released: February 25th 2014
Hard Cover 321 pages
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Lilyan (:
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Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.
When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.
Review:
Reading this book really leaves an impact. It's just one of those books, where you know from the very first page, that the content in this book is serious and deals with very real situations. I know a lot of people dislike these books, not because the writing is bad-in fact, it's incredible. But because they can't take it. It's in first person after all. These types of books are not for all people, but I can honestly say, that this book is the most unforgettable book I've read so far this year.
I usually just pick a book that books interesting or catches my eye. I don't usually read descriptions because sometimes they defer me from reading the book. Sometimes the synopsis doesn't give the book justice or the descriptions are nothing like the actual book so they're a let down.
I didn't read this books synopsis. I just jumped into it, expecting something different. And it was. Rape is not usually writing about in Young Adult books. One, because it's a subject hard to write about. Two, I think people skip over the fact that rape is a very real thing, that happens every single day. To men or women. Teens now a days just talk about sex flippantly and nonchalantly, as if it's as trivial as brushing your teeth. It creates the impression that sex is no big deal.
for example:
Person A: you cheated on me
person B: but it was a mistake
person A: okay as long as you didn't mean it.
*gets back together*
What about the person that person B slept with? what really happened? People usually skip over details that they don't want to know about. But the details are important.
I remember reading Speak in English class. This book and that book had similarities. But Faking Normal was different. A good different. Faking Normal took a different approach. This book was not only about Alexi, but Bodee too. We don't know what happened to Alexi at first straight out. But you know something bad happened to her. It was not hard to guess, but you had to read between the lines a little. In speak, it was straight out. From the first few chapters you already know what happened to her and who did it.
Bodee and Alexi both have their own problems but together they help each other in mutual understanding.
"I never understood like could be so dramatically sectioned, but it can. It is. There is only after and before.
My moment was by the pool; Bodee's is by the casket."
This story was truthfully refreshing. Courtney C. Stevens wrote in such a way, it's hard to believe this is her first novel. The characters were developed perfectly and each character had a distinct voice. Everyone should definitely read this book. Even if you don't like it, it will a least affect you in some kind of way. I feel that this book should replace Speak in the grade 8/9 curriculum.
There is so much more to say, but I don't want my opinions to in anyway to influence what you feel when reading this novel. It's an experience.
side note: just this morning when i was about to write this review type thing, Charlie Mcdonnell on youtube made a video on Sex and Consent. :
also Hank Green made a video too around a week ago. woo dftba :
- Lilyan
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