Comments on: Book Review: Speechless by Hannah Harrington (on speaking out against prejudice)

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 06:32:24 +0000

Do give it a go, Belle–there’s a lot here to like. I think the book just sets out to do a lot more than it realistically can given its style and narrative voice.

By: Belle's Bookshelf (@Bookish_Belle)

Belle's Bookshelf (@Bookish_Belle) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 02:38:09 +0000

I was really excited to read this, it’s a shame it doesn’t live up to its potential. Great review.
Belle’s Bookshelf (@Bookish_Belle) recently posted..Review: Stuart: A Life Backwards By Alexander Masters

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 23:22:16 +0000

I had a great chat with someone (unnamed to protect the innocent!) about this, and she pointed out that focusing on both feminism and homophobia might have made the book too “issues” oriented, which is a good point. As it is, it raises enough questions that the reader will be set to thinking about them, which is definitely a good start.

I do think that a lot of my overall problems with the book had to do with the narrator/point of view character Chelsea. If she’d been more self-aware and insightful, she might have been able to pull off a deeper exploration of these themes without coming across as sanctimonious or preachy.

By: Jami Zehr

Jami Zehr — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:27:11 +0000

This sounds interesting and potentially potent. I’m a little disappointed to hear it doesn’t finish exploring the issues it points out. I too wonder if it was a critical approach or just throwing in the baby with the wash. . . . um, I mean throwing noodles on the wall and seeing what sticks.
Jami Zehr recently posted..TARDIS on a Cat, TARDIS on a Travel Mug, and TARDIS in a Liquor Cabinet, TARDIS Everywhere

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:31:08 +0000

Thanks, Shelleyrae! Although I really did appreciate the fact that Sam was a nice guy love interest–there are far too few of them in YA!–I think the book probably would have been stronger without the romance thread. Chelsea’s new friendship with Asha is quite lovely, and I think the friendship element alone could really have carried a lot of this while also helping to look critically at the issues addressed.

I might see if I can get in touch with the author about the misogyny and see whether it was a critical approach.

By: shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

shelleyrae @ Book'd Out — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:26:19 +0000

A great review Stephanie, I have to agree that the novel does fade into the romance which I found a bit disappointing as it raised so many issues that could have been explored more fully.
shelleyrae @ Book’d Out recently posted..Joint Review & Giveaway: A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty