The List by Siobhan Vivian.
In this book, the reader is thrust into the world of eight very different girls. Two Freshman, two Sophomores, two Juniors and two Seniors. All eight girls are put on a list. One from each class is designated as the ugliest and the other as the prettiest.
This list determines the entire social hierarchy of the school. These girls lives are ruled by the list. If they're on it, they are forever changed.
Through Sibohan's unique method of story-telling, I was able to see what life is like through each girl's eyes and care for each and every single one of them. Some, more than others, really reached inside me and tugged on my heart strings. My two favorites are Bridget and Danielle.
Danielle is proclaimed to be the ugliest Freshman. And it makes absolutely no sense. Though she's not a proud girl or even vain in the slighest, Danielle possesses a natural confidence that confuses me from the beginning. She has the confidence of a naturally pretty girl. Throughout the book, Danielle struggles to find herself and where she fits in to this new high school life. She has a boyfriend who won't stand up for, who tells her to be tough but doesn't tell her the things she needs to her. That the list doesn't matter. To Danielle, it really doesn't. This incredible girl is beyond that.
The other girl that really got to me is Bridget who is chosen as the prettiest Junior. Sweet and unassuming, Bridget is flattered by being chosen at first. But the blessing of being on the list soon turns to a curse as Bridget battles for control over herself, body mind and soul.
Normally, I would shy away from a book with this many points of view, but Siobhan Vivian writes in a way that doesn't confuse the reader. The structure of the novel is clean and simple, yet so many different story lines are woven together in a very complicated and unexpected way.
The most thrilling part of this book to me? The ending. It sent chills through me. Siobhan Vivian, I applaud you for writing a wonderful, intriguing novel. I have walked away from reading it, more inspired than ever to continue writing my own.
The List is to be released April 1, 2012 by Push.
I reviewed an ARC of this book that I received from the ALA Mid-winter conference.
Check out the book HERE on Goodreads.
Visit the author, Siobhan Vivian at her lovely website HERE.
I can't wait to read this book! I loved Vivian's Not that Kind of Girl.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good! You will LOVE it! Siobhan is an excellent author. :-D
DeleteI've been wanting to read this book as well, and your review definitely makes me want to read it more. :) When I see movies that have multiple POVs (like Crash, Playing by Heart, and Love Actually), I get a sense of the wholeness of the story... that it's not just about 1 person but more people. To see what happens to all eight girls sounds like a great read. Thank you for your honest critique, Amy. :) I look forward to reading The List.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comment, DJL! I really appreciate you taking the time to read the review and am thrilled that I made you want to read The List even more. It's a wonderful book! I promise you will not regret it. The switch from POVs is so seamless and yet each girl is unique and individual in countless ways. I hope you enjoy the book! :)
DeleteWords cannot express my love for this book!!
ReplyDeleteDitto, Kate. Dit-to. :)
DeleteAnd as a side-note.. thank you, Kate! Because if it weren't for you, I wouldn't even have this book yet. :-D
DeleteI've been dying to read this book! Great review, Amy!
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