Helpful Score: 1
I read quite a few of the reviews before I started the book. Now, a few hours later, I've finished it and am left wondering -- what was the point of this novel? I mistakenly thought it was YA literature, but have since disavowed that notion. I can't imagine what a teenager or an adult would learn from reading the book. It's purpose definitely wasn't to entertain, or to even delve deeply into the psyche of the boys' backgrounds and lives. I can't help but shake my head in perplexity. With its incomplete characterizations, explanations, and descriptions, not to mention a very unsatisfactory climax and conclusion, the work simply seems incomplete and not nearly as consequential as other books tackling the same weighty subject. For example, a far superior work about school violence committed by a teenaged boy was the incredibly well-written We Need to Talk About Kevin: A Novel (P.S.)by Lionel Shriver.
This book answers none of the questions that would have made the work a worthwhile study of what causes school violence. The bullying, teasing, and disaffection was barely touched upon and there isn't even any description of the tortures or humiliations that the two boys received except for fights they got into and a few insults, -- nothing that isn't pretty typically seen and heard in an average junior high I'm sure. Maybe I missed the boat here, but I see nothing that screams that this a work of genius, or even of significance for educators or parents to study in hopes of preventing future children from committing this type of violent crime upon their schoolmates.
I see no purpose to recommending the book. It was OK, but offers no new insight or solution -- seems to indicate that there is a potential for violence in troubled youth, but yes -- we already know that. Most professionals who work with this age group are already well aware of the harm caused by bullying and other harassment that some kids are subjected to, but alas, can't always stop or prevent. The teachers in the book are described in mostly stereotypical fashion ranging from the sarcastic jerk to the sympathetic art teacher, with none understanding the boys or the torment that is driving them to the point of retribution. The boys also contribute to their own disaffection because they do not talk even when help is offered.
Ultimately, the book is unsatisfying and I'd advise you to cross it off your list and, should this topic be of interest to you, select another novel that explores the subject in more depth.
This book answers none of the questions that would have made the work a worthwhile study of what causes school violence. The bullying, teasing, and disaffection was barely touched upon and there isn't even any description of the tortures or humiliations that the two boys received except for fights they got into and a few insults, -- nothing that isn't pretty typically seen and heard in an average junior high I'm sure. Maybe I missed the boat here, but I see nothing that screams that this a work of genius, or even of significance for educators or parents to study in hopes of preventing future children from committing this type of violent crime upon their schoolmates.
I see no purpose to recommending the book. It was OK, but offers no new insight or solution -- seems to indicate that there is a potential for violence in troubled youth, but yes -- we already know that. Most professionals who work with this age group are already well aware of the harm caused by bullying and other harassment that some kids are subjected to, but alas, can't always stop or prevent. The teachers in the book are described in mostly stereotypical fashion ranging from the sarcastic jerk to the sympathetic art teacher, with none understanding the boys or the torment that is driving them to the point of retribution. The boys also contribute to their own disaffection because they do not talk even when help is offered.
Ultimately, the book is unsatisfying and I'd advise you to cross it off your list and, should this topic be of interest to you, select another novel that explores the subject in more depth.
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