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aliciaclarereads's Reviews (1.25k)
Oh boy, did this book hit me right where it hurts. This is the story of Marin, a girl who ran away from her life following a devastating loss, who is visited by someone from her past. After months of denial, Marin is forced to come to terms with who she is now. Despite this book's tiny size, it will hit you HARD. We Are Okay delves deep into the core of Marin's grief and doesn't let go. I cried a couple times throughout this book, including just sobbing through the last few chapters. LaCour tackles first love, familial relationships, and doubting one's self-worth. This is such an excellent look at a time in adolescence when you're beginning to piece together who you're going to be, and when you're old enough to learn some surprising truths about the adults in your life. Also, Mabel's parents were such a beautiful example of good parenting; I need so much more of this in YA. Hannah and her parents were also wonderful side characters even though we see so little of them.
I will say the vibe of this book reminded me quite a bit of one of my favorite moments from The West Wing:
This guy's walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey you, can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up "Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."
I will say the vibe of this book reminded me quite a bit of one of my favorite moments from The West Wing:
This guy's walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can't get out. A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey you, can you help me out?" The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up "Father, I'm down in this hole, can you help me out?" The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. "Hey Joe, it's me, can you help me out?" And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both down here." The friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out."
read for PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018: a book that is also a stage play or musical
I feel like such a champion for conquering this book. Not since The Count of Monte Cristo have I felt so good getting through an audiobook!
I really enjoyed my time with this book. I can understand how it's the first "modern novel" because despite being 400+ years old, it's a real joy to get through (this could be due to this translation being done in the 1800's). I laughed out loud quite a bit, and reveled a bit in all the nonsense and absurdity, although the windmill adventure was MUCH shorter than I realized. My biggest gripe with part one was the seemingly endless side stories and interludes, especially the novel within the novel. However, the second novel gets meta and addresses many of the issues I and readers back in the day had with the first part of the story. The meta part of me was so interesting as Cervantes did get a chance to address his critics.
All in all, I really like this book and if I were to return, I'd pick up an abridged copy. More adventures and less side stories! Also, I have been listening to "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha nearly on repeat.
I feel like such a champion for conquering this book. Not since The Count of Monte Cristo have I felt so good getting through an audiobook!
I really enjoyed my time with this book. I can understand how it's the first "modern novel" because despite being 400+ years old, it's a real joy to get through (this could be due to this translation being done in the 1800's). I laughed out loud quite a bit, and reveled a bit in all the nonsense and absurdity, although the windmill adventure was MUCH shorter than I realized. My biggest gripe with part one was the seemingly endless side stories and interludes, especially the novel within the novel. However, the second novel gets meta and addresses many of the issues I and readers back in the day had with the first part of the story. The meta part of me was so interesting as Cervantes did get a chance to address his critics.
All in all, I really like this book and if I were to return, I'd pick up an abridged copy. More adventures and less side stories! Also, I have been listening to "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha nearly on repeat.