Friday, October 23, 2009

Such A Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess


They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison.

Today her time has run out.


Such A Pretty Girl tells the twisted and compelling story of fifteen-year-old Meredith Shale who thought she was safe from her monster of a father. Unforunately, the justice system fails to protect her and after only three years, he is released from prison and comes home to a wife who eagerly accepts him with open arms and a daughter who refuses to pretend that nothing happened.

For such a tiny book, it sure packs a punch! Laura Wiess created such a believable character for this novel. Meredith's voice was so authentic that as a reader I felt completely connected to her; her rage and despair were palpable and I easily adopted her emotions as I read each chapter. The only times where Meredith softened a bit was when she was with Andy, her paraplegic boyfriend who had his own demons to battle. Andy is the only stability Meredith has in her life and when Andy announces that he and his mother are leaving for a short journey the same time that Meredith's dad arrives, she feels the darkness of her father's shadow looming even closer. I was just amazed with how well-written this was. Meredith's feelings were so eloquent and her (now tainted) memories of her father further emphasize the point that everything from the clothes that she wears to the way she speaks is a consequence of the damage that he's done. I think I felt almost every emotion possible while reading Such a Pretty Girl. It was that good. Also, the concept of "victim souls" was woven into the story so perfectly that its ever so slight religous undertone didn't even bother me...I was actually rather curious because I never heard about it before. I do have to warn you though, the content of this book isn't light and fluffy: it deals with incest and rape. It's not a pleasant thing to dwell on but Laura Wiess managed to write about a very difficult subject with such a poetic grace that I know I won't be forgetting about this book for a long time.

Rating: 5.0

11 comments:

  1. I have really been wanting to read this one and after your review, I now feel like I have to. Thanks for posting this.

    ~Briana

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  2. This one sounds really intense. From what you say, the cover seems to fit the book perfectly.

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  3. Sounds pretty good, and 5.0... wow that is something... I would definetely read this one. Great Review ;)

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  4. Wow, I hadn't heard of this book but I think I'll have to check it out. I'm usually more of a fan of light hearted stuff, but when somethings really well written I'll make an exception (like for Barry Lyga's "Boy Toy"--Have you read it? It deals with a student-teacher child molestation situation and definitely isn't an easy read--especially the chapters that describe what happened. But it's so powerful!) So thank you for the suggestion and an excellent review.

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  5. I really love this cover, that flower is so..well kinda creepy looking.. but cool as well. This book sounds great. Nice review! I will have to add this to my TBR list!

    -Arielle

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  6. Wow, this really sounds powerful and like an incredible read. Brilliant review. The cover's so beautiful.

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  7. I love Laura Wiess' other two novels and have been dying to read this one as well. Great review! =D

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  8. This sounds amazing--I love the menace of the title, too.

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  9. Great review. :)
    Thanks for the rape warning.

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  10. Wow. Intense stuff. I still may have to check it out if you say it is so well written. Like Juju, thanks for the warnings.

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  11. This sounds like a book about a really strong girl -- thanks for the good review. It DOES have menace in the title.

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