The County Library discussion

I haven't read How I Live Now yet, but I remember when it received the Prinz Award for best teen novel, there was a lot of controversy about it. Lots of people hated it and/or thought it was too edgy for a teen audience. I tend to think edgy is just right for teens, but I'll wait until I read it to comment. So what did you think? Hated it? Loved it? Why?

I'm in the "loved it!" camp. I read it before it ever won the Prinz award, and was just enthralled by the beautiful, spare writing and fascinating story. I suppose it might seem mildly offensive (two cousins fall in love, though that is definitely not all the book is about), which apparently had people claiming it was about incest . . . but if it wasn't incest in Gone With the Wind, why is it so bothersome here? Compared to some of the things being published today, calling this edgy seems hilarious. What it is is a BRILLIANT book!

Jessica wrote: "I'm in the "loved it!" camp. I read it before it ever won the Prinz award, and was just enthralled by the beautiful, spare writing and fascinating story. I suppose it might seem mildly offensive ..."

LOL- thanks Jessica! I love the GWTW reference.

I'm trying, - I really am - but I can't get past the run on sentences in this book :'(

What is up with that? Any ideas as to why it was written in run on sentences?


Katie wrote: "I'm trying, - I really am - but I can't get past the run on sentences in this book :'("

It's stream-of-consciousness. We are in Daisy's head, these are her thoughts.

I think so, too.. it says on the back of the book that it told in the words of this teenager.. but I'm little insulted because I'm her same age and I'm pretty sure I don't think this way, let alone write like it.

Hmmm. . .what to say. . .I need a 1/2 star. I would give this a 2.5 out of 5. I was really into it and then was jarred by the ending, which I guess was the point, but I am left feeling unsatisfied.

Just finished it-

I'm not really sure what I think about this. As to the voice, I thought the author used it really well to reflect Daisy's personality and the way she changed over the course of the book. The run-on sentences that make up Daisy's stream of conscious in the first half of the book make the shift to short sentences during the traumatic parts very effective. Then as Daisy matures, her narration matures too. I really like that from a critical point of view, however it is also kind of off-putting at the start. I don't really disagree with that either, because I think Daisy is supposed to be off-putting at the start.

The only real problem I have with the book was that I never really cared all that much about Edmond. I think if there had been more time dedicated to the romance before they were separated, I might have, but as it was I never really believed in thier love enough to buy the ending.

Also- so after everything, Daisy just left Piper alone and went back to America? Seems wierd.

Anyway, I'll have to ponder this for a while.

This is a short book but I don't usually get the time to read a book in one day. I made the time for this book, which was a very compelling read to me. I liked the book. I liked Daisy's voice and how she didn't completely explain anything. I think that style worked with this topic and with a teen narrator.

I would have liked some detail about how she got out of England, and did she really leave Piper alone? I'm with you, Jennifer, that part didn't fit.

This is one of those books that leaves a lot to my imagination of what might have happened, a less is more book that makes me think of "The Road". And one that I may not have picked on my own, but I am glad I read.

It was similar to The Road in some places, though never soul-crushing in the same way. I'm still recovering from that book!

It was similar to The Road in some places, though never soul-crushing in the same way. I'm still recovering from that book!