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) This is a large novel, but it's worth it...
This book intertwines the lives of many very different individuals. There's a young, intelligent mother who strips for a living, and her large, caring landlord who babysits the daughter out of loneliness. There's a father with a restraining order given by his hurt wife, and his mother who conceived him from sexual assault. Also, there's a foreigner trained in strict religious martyrdom. There's drama, character development, and various stories that all lead up to the 9-11 attacks.
It's a great read, and really makes you feel like you're inside the head of, and can understand the motivations of, these different individuals.
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) This is one in a series of books by the same author about the same main character. This girl, Alice, likes to think of herself as an artist and a screenplay writer. Unfortunately, she sucks. You have to give her props for the unique styling and confidence though.
But honestly, this character reeks of selfishness and stupidity. She's constantly doubled over in self-pity and self-inflicted drama. Yeah, her mom went to jail, and yeah, her boy toy moved away. But her mom was an environmental activist and her boyfriend was heading to school. Getting a job at 16 is not going to kill you. The perspective this sixteen-year-old holds in this book reminds me of the perspective I had on the world at age 10 or 11. Definitley not a choice read. I'd say it insults the idea of the teen psyche.
(
) This is a large novel, but it's worth it...
