I am running a little behind on my intended post today.
But I wanted to make sure I shared some my notes and thoughts on Speak as promised.
This story opens with the dilemma of picking a seat on the bus. If you don't consider this a real dilemma you were either incredibly popular in high school or you have a don't have a good memory.
What clique, or clan as Melinda called them, did you run with?
Melinda has the honor of starting her high school career clanless.
She is an outcast.
"I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with."
You want to know the first line that really caught my attention?
It happened on page 5.
"Words climb up my throat."
Love this.
Melinda continues to retell her first day of school.
The following are some of my favorite passages.
"Mr. Freeman is ugly. Big old grasshopper body, like a stiltwalking circus guy. Nose like a credit card sunk between his eyes" (10).
This may been one of the most interesting and unique personal descriptions I have ever read.
"I keep staring at her, trying to make her look at me. That happens in movies--people can feel it when other people stare at them and they just turn around and say something" (10).
The story moves on.
There is an amazing mention of teen cruelty and how we ignore it.
"A few times my books were accidentally ripped from my hands and pitched to the floor" (14).
"The closet is abandoned--it has no purpose, no name. It is the perfect place for me" (26).
Melinda's new and only friend has been accepted into a clan.
She is again alone.
"I wash my face in the sink until there is nothing left of it, no eyes, no nose, no mouth. A slick nothing" (45).
So far I am not overly impressed with the book but I am eager to keep reading. Everyone tells me to keep reading because it is sooooo good.
And I will be back next week with the next marking period.
But I wanted to make sure I shared some my notes and thoughts on Speak as promised.
First, I want to say that I was not impressed by my first impression of the voice/narration of Speak.
It took me a little while before I discovered what was disappointing in it.
The text is generally boring.
But when I was discussing this with a friend, I made the epiphany that this was perhaps INTENTIONAL.
That this part of the story is boring because the narrator, Melinda, is BORED with her life.
It took me a little while before I discovered what was disappointing in it.
The text is generally boring.
But when I was discussing this with a friend, I made the epiphany that this was perhaps INTENTIONAL.
That this part of the story is boring because the narrator, Melinda, is BORED with her life.
First line: It is my first morning of high school.
Because the first line was so boring,
the second line:
I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.
Is that much better? Not really.
Because the first line was so boring,
the second line:
I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.
Is that much better? Not really.
This story opens with the dilemma of picking a seat on the bus. If you don't consider this a real dilemma you were either incredibly popular in high school or you have a don't have a good memory.
What clique, or clan as Melinda called them, did you run with?
Melinda has the honor of starting her high school career clanless.
She is an outcast.
"I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with."
You want to know the first line that really caught my attention?
It happened on page 5.
"Words climb up my throat."
Love this.
Melinda continues to retell her first day of school.
The following are some of my favorite passages.
"Mr. Freeman is ugly. Big old grasshopper body, like a stiltwalking circus guy. Nose like a credit card sunk between his eyes" (10).
This may been one of the most interesting and unique personal descriptions I have ever read.
"I keep staring at her, trying to make her look at me. That happens in movies--people can feel it when other people stare at them and they just turn around and say something" (10).
The story moves on.
There is an amazing mention of teen cruelty and how we ignore it.
"A few times my books were accidentally ripped from my hands and pitched to the floor" (14).
"The closet is abandoned--it has no purpose, no name. It is the perfect place for me" (26).
Melinda's new and only friend has been accepted into a clan.
She is again alone.
"I wash my face in the sink until there is nothing left of it, no eyes, no nose, no mouth. A slick nothing" (45).
So far I am not overly impressed with the book but I am eager to keep reading. Everyone tells me to keep reading because it is sooooo good.
And I will be back next week with the next marking period.
I've never read it. I hope it gets better for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read your thoughts on this book. It generally gets good reviews, but there are some people that think this book is way overrated.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate honesty :) So I hope you keep with it.
I'll be back to catch the rest of your review! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see if you are totally won over by the end or not! I know you posted some of the lines you thought were boring and yea, those first ones weren't the best lines out there right? But, it seems like it's really getting better. For example, the one you noted from page 26 - the closet. Wow, that's good. I can already start to form a picture of what this girl must be like.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, hope it does get better.