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A review by mairasbookshelf
Beautiful Broken Things by Sara Barnard
3.0
This was a definite cover buy.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect but it definitely surprised me how relatable I was with the main character, Caddy Oliver.
The fact that her insecurities was that she would remain dull and boring for anyone to remember her made me feel for her. At the beginning of the book, at least.
What I love about this book is probably how it focused on the main theme of this book; female friendship. Nothing veered the story away from that theme. Not boys, not the need to lose your virginity. I could clearly see it from start till finish. And the characters? Rosie was probably my favourite, for the fact that she was thinking rationally most of the time in the book. And how loyal she was to Caddy. That's what I call friendship. Another one is probably Tarin, Caddy's older sister, who handled her own condition pretty indifferently. And other strongly.
Other themes include post-abuse, family, suicide.
What I don't like about this book, though, is the idea that acting out is okay. This was why I couldn't be happy about this book. This is where the ranting starts.
Just because you've been through something, doesn't mean you can act like the typical teenage rebel. God, Suzanne annoyed me. I don't care if she was an abuse victim (I do care. Don't bash me because of that). The chance that she was given to start over should be used to heal herself. Not make it as an excuse to run away at night to climb roofs and have sex with boys. She wanted the attention, I get it. But she didn't realize that she got Sarah, her aunt, her brother, Brian and her best friends. And maybe, there would someday be someone who would actually love her for who she is and not just for her pretty face. And then she goes and pull Caddy with her.
Caddy Oliver. I liked her at the beginning. We were almost similar, in a way. Until she acted like it was her job to carry Suzanne's emotional baggage. Again, she just wanted the attention and the feeling of being needed. I feel that way most of the time. But that is not an excuse to disobey your parents. The parents who were actually there for you. God, Caddy. What were you doing?
Next, when someone with trauma needs help, get the freakin' help. Don't act like you know what you're doing.
Hence, 3/5 stars.
I went into this book not knowing what to expect but it definitely surprised me how relatable I was with the main character, Caddy Oliver.
The fact that her insecurities was that she would remain dull and boring for anyone to remember her made me feel for her. At the beginning of the book, at least.
What I love about this book is probably how it focused on the main theme of this book; female friendship. Nothing veered the story away from that theme. Not boys, not the need to lose your virginity. I could clearly see it from start till finish. And the characters? Rosie was probably my favourite, for the fact that she was thinking rationally most of the time in the book. And how loyal she was to Caddy. That's what I call friendship. Another one is probably Tarin, Caddy's older sister, who handled her own condition pretty indifferently. And other strongly.
Other themes include post-abuse, family, suicide.
What I don't like about this book, though, is the idea that acting out is okay. This was why I couldn't be happy about this book. This is where the ranting starts.
Just because you've been through something, doesn't mean you can act like the typical teenage rebel. God, Suzanne annoyed me. I don't care if she was an abuse victim (I do care. Don't bash me because of that). The chance that she was given to start over should be used to heal herself. Not make it as an excuse to run away at night to climb roofs and have sex with boys. She wanted the attention, I get it. But she didn't realize that she got Sarah, her aunt, her brother, Brian and her best friends. And maybe, there would someday be someone who would actually love her for who she is and not just for her pretty face. And then she goes and pull Caddy with her.
Caddy Oliver. I liked her at the beginning. We were almost similar, in a way. Until she acted like it was her job to carry Suzanne's emotional baggage. Again, she just wanted the attention and the feeling of being needed. I feel that way most of the time. But that is not an excuse to disobey your parents. The parents who were actually there for you. God, Caddy. What were you doing?
Next, when someone with trauma needs help, get the freakin' help. Don't act like you know what you're doing.
Hence, 3/5 stars.