And Then Things Fall Apart - Arlaina Tibensky
Book Synopsis: Keek’s life was totally perfect….
Keek and her boyfriend just had their Worst Fight Ever; her best friend heinously betrayed her; her parents are divorcing; and her mom’s across the country caring for her newborn cousin, who may or may not make it home from the hospital. To top it all off, Keek’s got the plague. (Well, the chicken pox.) Now she’s holed up at her grandmother’s technologically barren house until further notice. Not quite the summer vacation Keek had in mind.
With only an old typewriter and Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar for solace and guidance, Keek’s alone with her swirling thoughts. But one thing’s clear through her feverish haze—she’s got to figure out why things went wrong so she can make them right.
Before even reading this, I checked out a copy of The Bell Jar. Long story short, I tried to read that and ended up not finishing it. Really, I just couldn't get into it the novel, even though it's a classic (considered). This book does have something to do with The Bell Jar, and I feel like I did fail in a way by not finishing it. Of course, I'll be reading it again because it's one of my goals to read every book on my TBR shelf.
Usually, I'm not as harsh in my reviews when I don't like a book, especially when it's a debut novel for that author and I'm completely a stranger to the writing. I can't really find anything remotely kind to say about it, except...
Well, I guess I can explain that I did like some aspects of the book, like the type-written font and the poems, the nostalgia of Gram's stories and Keek writing on the typewriter.
Obviously the themes in this book are a bit mature and the problems that Karina (Keek) faces are troublesome, yet in a way can be easily related to a number of young teens also in similar situations.
Gram was definitely my favorite character, she was kind and lovable, and an underrated person.
Themes to watch out for if you'd like to brave this book: adultery, relationships (ups and downs), and sickness.*
*Trying to survive in a house with no technology and on the other side of the country is Keek's mom trying to show support for her ill newborn niece.
My opinion? You can pick up this book if you'd like - maybe if you have the chicken pox or just want to stay in for a few hours at home. Otherwise, like me you're probably regretting reading it altogether.
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆