Customer Reviews

Glimmer

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

 

 

While this book was fast reading--finished in two days, actually--it was hardly worth my time. The idea is compelling and the descriptions have the potential to be fascinating. However, truth be told, I thought the book was horrible in every writing and literature sense. The language style was boring and tedious, as well as poorly configured. The author seemed to have a lack-luster methodology which clearly showed through in her work. It seems to cater to the drama queen. As a humble suggestion: find a different book.

Compared to this book,, every other book I've read seems really superficial. I've never read a book that took such a naked and close look at a young woman whose led a troubled life. You wonder if this is really a work of fiction, the author writes it so well. I'm kind of young to read a book like this but since it was in our libraries young adult section, I checked it out. And I thought it was amazing. The story took you into the soul of the woman and her family. Annie Waters is a fabulous writer. I truly praise her for this wonderful work of art.

In Glimmer, Annie Waters tells us the frighteningly realistic story of a young woman just starting college who refuses to define herself -- racially, socially, sexually, and even personally. Sage is a chameleon, adapting to whatever demands are placed on her, both by "society" and her family, while at the same time, accepting no personal standards or definition. This dissociation eventually leads to her mental breakdown. Annie Waters skillfully illustrates the fine line where societal standards meet an individual's perception of him or herself without taking sides or moralizing.

I read this book in under two hours. When I finished, I immediately reread it because I was afraid I might have missed something. I didn't.

The book boasts that it's the story of a young girl slipping into madness. This is not so in two ways. First, it's more about a young girl coming to grips about being the darkest in her biracial family. Second, it only very lightly scratches the surface of "madness." It promises several times to get interesting, bringing you close to the edge...then pushes you over, leaving you with disappointment.

I was looking forward to reading about her recovery, but the only mention of it is, I think, three sentences long.

Don't get me wrong, though. I did like this book during certain times. There were many times when I was reading this book when I had to suck in my breath and exclaim, "That's ME! She's writing about ME!"

If you're looking for a quick read, I definitely suggest "Glimmer." However, if you'r! e looking for a good story, with a solid follow-through and finish, I'd suggest skipping this one.

I started on Glimmer when it first came out, but just couldn't get into the story. I came across the book again, and decided to give it a second try, I don't regret the decision. Sage, the main characther is hiding out in her dorm room, because she fears she is being stalked by a guy she met at a restaurant earlier that night. While hiding out in her room, she thinks about her life, being biracial, and her missing in action father. The ending of the book was surprising, the only thing I did not like about Glimmer was all the flashbacks Sage had with her family.

Needless to say this was a great story. While it seemed to me that the author wanted to finish the story, by rushing things at the end; I still am very amazed at such a good solid read. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I think this is one for those tortured souls out there, much the same as mournful Plath poetry was about thirty years ago. In much the same way, Waters goes all out in describing each minute detail that leads up to her ultimate breakdown. I enjoyed it, as a reflection upon myself I am not always too eager to see, but it's helpful to have a mirror before us every once in a while.

This book definitly shows, in great detail, the story of this woman, and what has happened in her family to make her lock herself in her dorm room and slowly go crazy. It was written in a way to make you think it was the authors true life story.