Customer Reviews

The Parallel Universe of Liars (Readers Circle)

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

 

 

I was looking through the fiction section of my school library for a book to take home for the weekend, and stumbled along this book. After reading a few chapters, I was hooked. However, I wasn't hooked because of interesting characters, and a good plot; I kept reading because I wanted to know how demented and sexual this book would actually get!

I really reccomend this book for High School students, only. The author blantantly uses strong sexual terms and descriptions, and it even discusses adultery and underaged sexual activity.

Truly, there is no plot. All of the questions I had at the beginning of the story weren't answered in the end. This book was literally hard to read, the font was horrible and there was often this "mirror effect" which took up so much space at the beginning of each chapter.

I'm a big fan of young adult fiction, but this book was a total disappointment. It was written from a 15-year-old's perspective, but felt unreal (and I remember being a 15 year old girl pretty well). Her world seems to consist solely of one-dimensional, good/bad parents, step-parents, and neighbors. Her character contradicts herself and is pretty unlikeable. I just really couldn't really get behind the plot, which is full of improbable dramas. The issues of race and sex feel forced, (again) unrealistic, and simplistic.
The book just wasn't written well and wasn't even mildly entertaining. Also, there's some silly graphic designing with upside-down text (don't turn the book around, it's just repetition) and a really, really, really bad choice of font.

This book is about a fifteen year old girl who is trying to find out who she is and/or wants to be. It's about the struggle teenagers often have with what they want. And yes, the main character may contradict herself quite often, but I remember being fifteen. My mind was pulling in hundreds of directions and I never knew what I wanted, but that is life. Some of the scenarios seem very realistic while others seem to be floating towards space, however everything does tie in nicely and doesn't really "ruin" the reading.

There is a bit of descriptive sexual content in this book, but is that really so far-fetched from how teenagers act now? I would say no, but I'm sure some would argue with me. It's perfectly acceptable for high school readers, though I would not recommend it for most middle schoolers (with the exception of the more matured ones). I mean honestly, the copy of the book I have has condom wrappers on the cover.

Looking past all that, Johnson does occasionally say some pretty insightful things worth remembering. The other reviews claiming this book lacks plot are correct, but I would recommend reading through it once or twice and forming your own decisions.

Great book! Robin's dad is married, her mom is on her way to get married. Her next door neighbor is always hitting on her and she has never had a boyfriend before. Robin's best friend moves away to Alabama, but luckily, Tri moves in and they start dating. Great book!!!!!