Sunday, January 10, 2010

Review - Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess


I enjoyed this story, it was a fast and easy read about a difficult, sad situation. A fifteen year old girl, Meredith, lives with her mom and then after 3 years her dad is released from prison. He is a paedophile and Meredith was promised 9 years of safety. Meredith thought she would be able to escape at eighteen, have time to grow up and get out but her time has run out.


This is Meredith’s 4 day story immediately from her dad’s release.


With strict orders that he not be left alone with his daughter, he is returned to the condo complex where she and her mother live. In contrast to Meredith's terror, her mother is giddy with delight at his return, for better or worse is what she stands by no matter who gets hurt including her daughter and or other little boys and girls.


Such a sad story which makes the reader upset with her mother and the legal rules on really not protecting the young. This book can definitely start some good debates. How do moms stay with husbands, boyfriends etc when this happens and at what point will these criminals get life in prison for hurting a child in this way. I felt sorry for Meredith as she created normalcy for herself to get through the psychological scars.


Such a Pretty Girl is about a father's abuse of power and trust, and the way two different teens, Meredith and her paraplegic friend, Andy, deal with that reality. This book is not explicit, I personally would have enjoyed more details as I like to get emotional over books, but it definitely gives an honest feel in its telling.


There are messages and symbolic overtones that make it a great read for thinking.


And I am all about a great ending, this didn’t let me down, very clever. I have to say for the first time though, this story could have been longer I think.


For those that enjoyed Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek, you will enjoy this, I recommend it. I am excited to have found a new author for me, Laura Wiess. I will read her other books, I enjoyed her writing.


3 1/2 stars



5 comments:

  1. Wow, this sounds like a compelling, albeit disturbing, topic. I'm adding this to my TBR list.

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  2. Boy, that does sound like a sad story. I'm not sure it's for me.

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  3. A sad book, but one which sounds thought provoking. 1 for the TBR pile

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  4. Sounds great! I have Laura's other book, How it Ends, in my TBR pile. I hadn't heard of this one before. Thanks for the heads up! Did you read this one on your Kindle? I just ordered a Nook and am excited to get it! :)

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  5. I did read this on my Kindle, I forgot to put that in title.

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