Thursday, August 14, 2008

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti - NO


Colasanti, Susane Take Me There, 290 p. Viking (Penguin), 2008.

Language - R(various swears, including several "f"; Sexual Content - PG (implied, but not described rape), Violence - PG.

NOT RECOMMENDED

7 days, three points of view. Nicole has ditched her boyfriend for unknown reasons, but he keeps quietly trying to get her back. Rhiannon was stunningly dumped by her boyfriend and seems to wallow in the pain and plans elaborate schemes to win back his love. James has been Rhiannon's best friend forever and is just now willing to admit to himself that he may want something more. Rhiannon is a pretty good representation of a girl who lets her boyfriend define her self-esteem and how devastating that is when it is all pulled away. Nicole has a secret that she isn't even willing to admit herself - a secret that has the power to screw up every future relationship.

I liked the author's review of the seven days, each from a different perspective; it felt genuine, not forced. Each character came out true to themselves without embellishment, except for the mandatory sexy boy talk, including heightened levels of swearing. I would leave this one to the public libraries, because even though it feels real, James sex obsession mars what could have been a great selection.

Cindy, Library-Teacher.

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