Friday 2 January 2015

Book Review: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler.

Hey everyone!
Happy New Year!
Hope you all enjoyed bringing in the new year whatever your plans were for the night. My first post for 2015 is going to be a book review and I'll be talking about Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler.

This book is written by Daniel Handler with beautiful art by Maira Kalman. It is about a girl in high school called Min Green and a senior basketball jock, Ed Slaterton and their relationship that lasted from 5th of October to November 12th. The entire novel is in the form of a letter in the narrative of Min who is writing to Ed about why they broke up. The letter is accompanied with a box full of objects that tracks the progress of their relationship which are all returned to Ed at the end of the letter. The box contains two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a lobby ticket, matches, a pinhole camera, a folded note, a rubber band, a high school pennant, a toy truck, a book full of recipes, an egg cuber, a polaroid, a comb, a pair of earrings which are described as ugly and several other items; all of which are beautifully designed on each beginning page of every chapter by Kalman.

I really liked this book, in fact it even made my favourite books list for 2014. The illustrations are lovely and look really vintage. They accompany the story brilliantly as Min describes how each item came to be hers and how much they meant to her. Min doesn't have any real social standing but Daniel Handler really gives her a voice that makes her stand out. I do think how she speaks will put some people off but I didn't find her irritating at all.

I thought Min and Ed's relationship was pretty sweet and adorable. You can't think of any reasons why they would break up until right at the very end and you understand Min's heartbreak completely. But although they were both cute together, I did also secretly root for Min and one of her best friends, Al who is the completely opposite to Ed. Handler really did capture what a teenage girl would be thinking and feeling in this situation perfectly.

Although I do like Min and her unique personality, the only criticism I have of the book is how she neglected her original friends who were well crafted, funny and different. It rings true to my own personal experiences when friends have up and left to spend more time with her boyfriends rather than with those who have been there from the start. I'm sure it'll do the same for others who have been through the same.

But other than that, I loved the book and I don't want to spoil it too much for those who want to read it because whatever I say won't do it justice. My heart completely broke for Min as I really thought their relationship was pretty good even if it was only very short. But the ending put the pieces of my heart back together again and I felt proud of Min.

You can buy it off Amazon, used, starting from £4.00

Do you have any recommendations for me? I'd love to know!

Thankyou for reading.
Laura.
 

34 comments:

  1. I just you should know that I really enjoy your blog! Keep it up!

    Mollie X

    www.theperksofmolliequirk.blogspot.com

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  2. This is a great review. Sounds like a great book. Might have to give it a try!
    Sarah-Jane xo // www.vmgirl.me

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  3. Do you read on wattpad? I love it for stories it's really good! this plot reminds me of a wattpas story x

    Jennos Health.

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    1. I don't but I may check it out, thanks! x

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  4. This was a really great review, I'm constantly on the lookout for new books to read! I've just finished reading The Kite Runner, I'd really recommend it! I've followed your blog and can't wait to read future posts, would really appreciate a follow back?xx

    thelilymint.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou, I'll definitely follow you back x

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  5. Really awesome review, very well-written!

    http://thoughtsintiffanyblue.blogspot.com/

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  6. Sounds amazing! I really want to read this now :) x x

    www.beyondthevelvet.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. i think it's a great book ;) very nice post!
    Kisses from Italy.
    This is my last post, if you want check it out:
    http://honeyandcotton.org/my-great-purposes-for-the-new-year/

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  8. Sounds great, thx for sharing.,
    Happy New Year
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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  9. Sounds like a pretty good read! Happy 2015! I read "Memoirs of a Geisha" recently and really enjoyed it. You might like it as well!

    xo,
    Mariamma

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll check it out :) x

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  10. this sounds like an awesome read!!!!

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  11. This sounds like a fascinating book! Thanks for sharing!

    Bella Pummarola

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  12. sounds great!!!

    check me out
    xx
    Tyana
    theluxedition.blogspot.com

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  13. Seems to be a lovely book!!! A lot of items to be returned, for such a short relationship :))

    Rosa
    Styleyourselfinstyle.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I know I thought that haha! Thanks for reading x

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  14. Wow it sound amazing :D I will look for it :)
    You have a nice blog, I hope we can follow each other I wait you in my blog dear!
    Kisses


    xx Lisbeth
    novedadesatualcance.blogspot.com.es

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  15. That sounds pretty good! xx
    fashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie

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  16. You made me want to read it! Thanks for the review :)
    Obsessed Fashion Blog

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  17. Ive seen this book around and always debated buying it, you have safely just confirmed my order on amazon lol. I cant wait to read it, thanks for the review! xx

    http://dressedandunpolished.blogspot.co.uk/

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    Replies
    1. Aw that's good! I'm glad I gave you the push haha. Thankyou very much for reading x

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Thankyou for your comments. They are appreciated so much, I am very grateful and I will reply to every single one whenever I can. x