Customer Reviews

Brutal

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I started this book and loved Poe's voice but then things got long winded.

Characters:
The characters are general cut outs with Poe Holly (a rebellious Gothic teen with a parent complex), he mother (a neglectful work obsessive socialite doctor who left her to go work on a charity project), Her father (the quiet school counselor/writer who left when she was born but is really cool), Velveeta "Andrew" (her weird friend who is picked on), and Theo (her very intelligent best friend/boyfriend who is a rebel and mayor's son). The cast is entertaining enough (I loved Theo even though he was unrealistic), but Poe's attitude becomes really annoying. She is so angry at the world when she has a lot more than other kids have, like Velveeta. Her family is very dysfunctional but at least she has the support. Her rebellious act gets old after awhile. Also, all her speeches and arguments were so well planned she becomes a megaphone for the author.

Plot:
The heart of the story is Poe finding out who her father is and fighting the system. Poe fights against bullying and how high school forces students to form cliques. The school has a policy that everyone is in one giant school clique but that is broken down.

Overall:
The book was okay. The characters are a little too perfect and sound a little too "adult" for teenagers. Their fight against bullying and cliques felt tired and unresolved. It is written in a very down to earth style and Poe's narration was always fun to read but you just get tired of it.

It is okay if you like spunky girls with all the answers but it would be better from a library than purchasing it.

Brutal's main character Poe Holly is a girl too tough to be bullied. Sassy, savvy and street smart, she is forced to live with her father in a perfect little house in a perfect little suburb giving up singing in her punk band so her doctor mother can go to South America to help "world citizens." Writer, Michael Harmon, puts Poe in the impeccable Benders High School where Poe finds out their dirty little secret; the adults don't look the other way during bullying incidents- they perpetuate it.

It's subtle and important distinction that Harmon explores in Brutal. If the teachers are supporting the intimidation of some students by the popular and athletic ones, what hope is there of eliminating the problem. Certain students are given privileges and it's those students who are the bullies. Colby Morris is Brutal's untouchable football hero who has singled out Velveeta, a misfit of a boy who lives near Poe, for his put downs and degradations. Poe won't allow it, and the tenacity she used to get herself kicked out of three elite Los Angeles private schools will be needed if she is going to take on the system starting with her father who is Benders High's guidance counselor.

Readers will root for Poe, because of her for her inability to let go of what she knows is right.
-- Reviewed by Cathy Castelli

a cute story about Poe, who is sent to live with her absentee father after her mother deserts her to provide aid in South America. The story follows Poe as she tries to get to know her dad and figure out why he left their family in the first place. Also, at her new school, Poe tries to stir things up by pointing out all the unfairness to school administrators. This causes some trouble as her dad is the school counselor. The main story revolves around Poe trying to protect her sort of friend Velveeta after he becomes the target of some vicious bullies.
The story was interesting, but I would have liked a little more character development with Velveeta and Theo. It was a fast read and will appeal to boys and girls age 13+

Gold Star Award Winner!

When sixteen-year-old Poe Holly's doctor mother decides to take her practice to the jungles of South America for a year, Poe finds herself living with the father she has never really known. She was a baby the last time her parents were in the same room together, and now she's moving into his house.

Since her mother is usually busy 24/7, Poe is used to living on her own. It's a welcome relief to find out her father is willing to allow her a fair amount of freedom, but his neat and tidy house soon becomes her home, and she is surprised how much she enjoys it. The shared meals and conversation aren't nearly as dreadful as she anticipated. The major weird thing about the arrangement is that when Poe starts school at the local high school, she's not sure how to handle the fact that David Holly, her newly inherited dad, is the school counselor.

Life in Benders Hollow is way different than the punk rocker life Poe is used to. Music is her life, and leaving her band was one of the hardest things she had to do. When her father suggests she could join the school choir and maybe even be one of their soloists, she rejects the idea as too lame to even consider. But after some contemplation, Poe stops in to visit the music teacher.

After hearing Poe's incredible voice, Mrs. Baird promises her a spot as the principal soloist. The result of that offer is one of Poe's first experiences with just exactly how the town of Benders Hollow works.

Poe soon learns that at Benders Hollow High School a select few have all the power. Although the school brags about its tolerance and its dedication to keeping its halls bully-free, Poe soon learns that the select few can do and say anything they want - and those in authority will look the other way.

Her father's odd neighbor, Velveeta, is a target for the rampant cruelty of Benders Hollow, and he provides just the reason Poe needs to stir things up a bit at her new school.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Michael Harmon, BRUTAL is a book you won't want to miss. His previous books, SKATE and THE LAST EXIT TO NORMAL, are excellent, but BRUTAL takes the prize in my opinion.

Poe is an independent thinker, and the way she champions the underdog should be an example to us all. She is a terrific combination of the two people who have parented her in such different ways. Our world would be a better place if more of us reacted to injustice like Poe did.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Brutal introduces us to Poe Holly who is being uprooted from her current life and literally shipped to a life of suburbia with a father she hardly knows and, from all extent and purposes lives in a completely different universe.

However, Poe grudgingly tries to make the best of it and even starts making some friends, including a somewhat love/hate relationship with a next door neighboor who seems to be more of a doormat than anything else. However, when a prank goes deadly, Poe interferes to try to make things right.

What I liked most about this book is the honest look at the results of a dysfunctional home - I mean, I felt for Poe - with a mother who puts her needs and desires before her daughter's. Poe's dad is a tad better, but he is so partly clueless.... I like that the aduls are not perfect and I like the fact that Poe, although clearly out of her element, is willing to "try" to make it work.

The story is one of friendship and redemption - up to a point. Poe has an interesting relationshig with Velveeta and finds herself feeling for this person and from there comes most of the basic storyline and the most interesting of the relationships.

I think the strongest part of this book is the relationships - most, if not all, are seriously dysfunctinal, but yet, I found myself involved and committed in their lives.

The writing is honest and down to earth and I did enjoy this book.

Although less then strong on character development, still an entertaining and in-depth read, addressing the issue of individualism and bullying in High School. Double standards are huge in school; especially in the last four years... we've all either experienced it personally or witnessed it at some point during our academic career. BRUTAL focuses greatly on the adult's role in the harassment of a student by adding to the problem in refusing to protect the weak in the name of "tolerance", and/or turning a blind-eye to the torture, favoring the bully due to their popularity, athletic higharchy or family's social standing in the community.

Michael Harmon did a good job addressing some very serious issues that face teens today with the at times over the top, but definitely strong and very likeable, sassy punk rock Poe; as she puts it all on the line to stand-up for what she believes in. I also appreciate that Harmon saw fit to have Poe called out when she was out of line; pointing out that even when intentions are in the right place, how a person goes about addressing a problem can be the difference between improving a situation or making things worse.

As a story of friendship, compassion, respect, deliverance, character, support and forgiveness; BRUTAL has a fantastic message geared for young people, but can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

I have few authors on my target list of what to buy. Michael Harmon is one. This is the best of the 3 I've read.