Comments on: Along for the Ride and Bad Girls Don’t Die (finally) http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/along-for-the-ride-and-bad-girls-dont-die/ All YA, all the time Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:42:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lena http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/along-for-the-ride-and-bad-girls-dont-die/#comment-9759 Lena Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:11:26 +0000 http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/?p=2156#comment-9759 I enjoyed Along for the Ride very much, but I very much agree with the correlation between over-analyzing and enjoyment of the book. I felt like I had to just gloss over the idea of Heidi's "cold bitch" persona and also the nature of Auden and Eli's relationship to enjoy the book properly. On the other hand, I think maybe "cold bitch" thing refers more to emotional detachment than meanness or anger; maybe I need to re-read that passage before saying for sure. As for the formula, I found myself recognizing that it was there (again) and not really minding. It would be nice to see what she'd do with an older protagonist and/or audience, though. I enjoyed Along for the Ride very much, but I very much agree with the correlation between over-analyzing and enjoyment of the book. I felt like I had to just gloss over the idea of Heidi’s “cold bitch” persona and also the nature of Auden and Eli’s relationship to enjoy the book properly.

On the other hand, I think maybe “cold bitch” thing refers more to emotional detachment than meanness or anger; maybe I need to re-read that passage before saying for sure.

As for the formula, I found myself recognizing that it was there (again) and not really minding. It would be nice to see what she’d do with an older protagonist and/or audience, though.

]]> By: Trisha http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/along-for-the-ride-and-bad-girls-dont-die/#comment-9748 Trisha Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:55:45 +0000 http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/?p=2156#comment-9748 ReadingFool and Liz - Thanks for chiming in! I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling some...disappointment? apprehension? okay, in my case, anger...concerning the way Heidi was depicted. I did think <i>Lock and Key</i> was a departure from the Dessen formula (the post-<i>This Lullaby</i> formula, at any rate), but I agree that it would be nice to see more of a departure. On the other hand, I can't blame her for sticking to what works, especially when she writes it so well. And, ReadingFool, you're welcome! ReadingFool and Liz – Thanks for chiming in! I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling some…disappointment? apprehension? okay, in my case, anger…concerning the way Heidi was depicted.

I did think Lock and Key was a departure from the Dessen formula (the post-This Lullaby formula, at any rate), but I agree that it would be nice to see more of a departure. On the other hand, I can’t blame her for sticking to what works, especially when she writes it so well.

And, ReadingFool, you’re welcome!

]]> By: liz http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/along-for-the-ride-and-bad-girls-dont-die/#comment-9743 liz Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:44:23 +0000 http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/?p=2156#comment-9743 I generally enjoy Sarah Dessen's novels. I have since I read This Lullaby in 2002. That said, yes, there is a 'formula' and sometimes it gets a bit predictable, but sometimes I wish she'd mix it up a bit, you know? Have a platonic friendship instead of romantic relationship or break new ground(for her anyway) by featuring characters that are a bit more diverse. Many of them are interchangeable & as a longtime reader, it gets a bit stale. I really liked your comments in the hidden portion & agree with them! I really liked Heidi & wish she'd been written a bit differently. I generally enjoy Sarah Dessen’s novels. I have since I read This Lullaby in 2002. That said, yes, there is a ‘formula’ and sometimes it gets a bit predictable, but sometimes I wish she’d mix it up a bit, you know? Have a platonic friendship instead of romantic relationship or break new ground(for her anyway) by featuring characters that are a bit more diverse. Many of them are interchangeable & as a longtime reader, it gets a bit stale.
I really liked your comments in the hidden portion & agree with them! I really liked Heidi & wish she’d been written a bit differently.

]]> By: ReadingFool http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/along-for-the-ride-and-bad-girls-dont-die/#comment-9736 ReadingFool Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:17:02 +0000 http://theyayayas.wordpress.com/?p=2156#comment-9736 The thing that bothered me about the "cold bitch" line was that I hadn't seen anything in Heidi's words or actions that bore even the slightest trace of coldness, let alone bitchiness. Given her extreme exhaustion and how badly her husband is letting her down, I would think that those traits would rise up again if they'd ever been there. You don't shed that kind of persona just by moving to the beach and falling in love. Oh, wait...I guess that goes back to the "do people change" question, doesn't it? Thanks for the link, by the way. The thing that bothered me about the “cold bitch” line was that I hadn’t seen anything in Heidi’s words or actions that bore even the slightest trace of coldness, let alone bitchiness. Given her extreme exhaustion and how badly her husband is letting her down, I would think that those traits would rise up again if they’d ever been there. You don’t shed that kind of persona just by moving to the beach and falling in love. Oh, wait…I guess that goes back to the “do people change” question, doesn’t it?

Thanks for the link, by the way.

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