I often times find that I will not give extreme opinions on this blog about any book that I read. For one reason, every reader will feel a certain way about a book they read that may or may not be the same as someone else. That is the joy of reading. We, as readers, are allowed to choose what we want to read. Skipping the obvious reading assignments of teachers that are mandatory, readers, in general, can pick as they want. So if it’s horror, sci-fi, historical or realistic fiction, or whatever category, it’s ours for the taking. Especially in a library, where all you need is your library card.
However, I have to speak up today. I just finished reading Fallout by Ellen Hopkins last night. I will not copy the entire review by School Library Journal here but will offer up some of it: “The plot is choked with the perpetual damage of meth addiction—there's too much message and not enough action. Hopkins spreads the narration too thin between three unlikable narrators, and none is ever fully realized. The mood here is just as depressing and cautionary as Glass, and Hopkins's presentation is even more self-indulgent.”—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
I do not feel that Hopkin’s is self-indulgent. It may just be my humble opinion but anyone that has grown up in any dysfunctional family will know that addiction doesn’t just destroy the addict. It does affect everyone. Yes, the book might be hard to follow because there is more than one voice but any true fan of Hopkins will be able to navigate. The character’s lives are interwoven and each needed to be heard.
Before I step down off of my soap box, let me also take a moment for pointing out the obvious, that this is based loosely on her own true life struggles with her daughter’s addiction. The mere fact that she opened her wounds for us, as readers, to share with her is commendable. I feel for her and her family. I don’t know Ellen Hopkins, and I will probably never meet her. Yet, I feel her pain, the pain of her grandchildren, and the destruction brought upon her family by crystal meth.
As far as I’m concerned, keep writing Ellen and I know I will keep reading and so will many, many others. I’m not a professional critic or editor. I’m just a Children’s and Young Adult Librarian and it is just my opinion.
1 comment:
Thanks so much... personally, I find all three main characters not only likeable, but loveable.... of course, maybe I would. But my readers seem to agree. There has been a lot of me in the press, pro and con as regards librarians.... maybe she was majorly con. I don't know. But what really matters is my readers. If they get it, I'm good.
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