Kias_Hammy reviewed Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Review of 'Why We Broke Up' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This sharp, sweet first-love heartbreak story captivated me. I sat up late in bed with my hand on my chest, tears leaking out during some of the truly beautiful final passages. I remembered my semi-illiterate first love, how he drove a lowered VW book with tinted windows and the word "smoove" printed on the windshield, the secret other girlfriend on his forgotten beeper, the showdown, the unanswered phone calls.. But this absurdity is something you cannot explain to a teen, "you will look back and laugh" is patronizing and irrelevant to the grieving.
As apt as the story is in showing teen psyche, It is a story that will be loved more by adults, however it is marketed to teens. There is a strong adult voice, compassionate and knowing, but nevertheless distant, that overwhelms the teen one. The empathetic connection of adult retrospect, the pity we feel for our younger, …
This sharp, sweet first-love heartbreak story captivated me. I sat up late in bed with my hand on my chest, tears leaking out during some of the truly beautiful final passages. I remembered my semi-illiterate first love, how he drove a lowered VW book with tinted windows and the word "smoove" printed on the windshield, the secret other girlfriend on his forgotten beeper, the showdown, the unanswered phone calls.. But this absurdity is something you cannot explain to a teen, "you will look back and laugh" is patronizing and irrelevant to the grieving.
As apt as the story is in showing teen psyche, It is a story that will be loved more by adults, however it is marketed to teens. There is a strong adult voice, compassionate and knowing, but nevertheless distant, that overwhelms the teen one. The empathetic connection of adult retrospect, the pity we feel for our younger, foolish selves, is what resonates with a reader. I would recommend it to older teens, post-first-love peoples, and in fact the first person I gave it to at my library was a teacher.
The accompanying artwork is childish and the primary colors and simple designs bring a sort of levity that is an uncomfortable contrast with Min's emotional upheaval. In one sense the artwork, so unrealistic and picture-book influenced- seemed patronizing, though it organizes the story well and to be fair, the brightness of these designs mirror the bravado and sense of humor that makes Min such a winning heroine.
The films referred to are made up, the heroine and her crowd are clever in a Nick-and Nora way that gives them with a ironic sophistication beyond most teenagers though it makes for more witty writing. I was not so sure about the Al character. He needed to come in book 2, he made for too easily a resolution.