Customer Reviews

Red: The Next Generation of American Writers--Teenage Girls--On What Fires Up Their Lives Today

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I am a new step-mother to a young teenage girl. Not only are there the normal "teenage issues" but compound those issues with a new family unit and a longing for bio-mom and daddy to get back together and you have one emotional young girl! I pre-ordered this book and gave it to my step-daughter as soon as it arrived. She did not say a whole lot other than the barely audible "thanks". However, about a week later my husband came home from a visit. She wanted him to let me know how much she is enjoying the book and sharing it with her friends. She really likes it! The stories hit home and resonate with her! This has opened the door for me to engage in dialogue with her surrounding those stories: What in particular did she like? Which stories was she drawn to and what did those stories mean to her in her own life? As a new mom, I say thank you to the author for compiling such an intriguing set of life stories that resonate with a 14 year old and helped to "fire-up" real dialogue!

I felt that this book connected my mom and me a little more. Before we started reading "Red" together, I thought she didn't understand the life of a teenage girl very well, in my case a pre-teen. (Life for us girls can be pretty difficult, and there is this wonderful book to prove just that.) Once we finished all the funny, sad, and interesting essays, I think my mom better understood the lives of young girls today, and I saw that I wasn't alone in some of my experiences, especially at school and with friends. After reading this book I realized how different girls can be and I think I understand why they act the way they do. I know I will read this book again when I get older. I <3 Red!

I have not read all of the essays in "Red" yet, but I attended a reading by six of the writers -- Jane Horowitz, Emma Considine, Sarah Harrison, Lucy Bennett, Alison Smith, and Aarian Marshall -- and I am blown away by their wit and sensitivity. In the interest of full disclosure I must admit that I teach two of these young women (though not in English) and thus I am also biased; nevertheless I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book. It is amazing to discover that there are such compelling and accomplished writers in my classroom. Great work, and I look forward to reading more of the essays.

This collection of essays compiled by Amy Goldwasser is nothing less than a masterpiece, as it eschews the typical teenage bubble-gum-book syndrome in favor of a richly detailed, complex, emotive and, above all, substantial body of work from an array of teenage young women as diverse as their topics.

A standout is Carey Dunne's hysterical essay, "Gym at Riverton," about surviving gym class at private school. Also exceptional: Kathryn Pavia's essay "The Fourth Floor," which is an account of her brother's ilnness, but done in an incredibly subtle, heartbreaking way that unfolds in a dream-like manner, showing the mundane, unlikely things we notice and react to, in times of sadness. It's stunning in its maturity and restraint. This writer, as with others in this book, will go far.

The book goes from specific to broad, serious to comical, abstract to photographically-detailed. In sum, both teenagers and their parents will find it richly rewarding, and conversation-provoking. Gimmicky book concepts, especially for teens, come and go, but classic essay writing like this is something that will endure. -S.

Finally, a collection of essays that assumes teenage girls can be brilliant, hilarious, heartbroken, fickle, outraged, political *and* obsessed with Johnny Depp! Sure, RED has a few essays about bad boys, lousy body image and low self-esteem--there are plenty of adult books on these subjects, too. But what makes this book so successful is the level of intelligence and insight that makes these wide-ranging and intensely personal subjects speak to women--and men--of any age. Of course there are those who will be put off by the brutal honesty of some of the writing, but for those who are willing to listen, there's incredible courage and hope to be found in the words of these 58 young essayists. And if RED is any indication, this might very well prove to be the greatest generation of writers we've ever seen.

Loved reading "Red"...made me laugh, cry, and understand.
It gives much insight into the thoughts of today's young women.

I really looked forward to reading Red with my 12-year old daughter, and I was not disappointed! Each day after school we would settle in and then take turns reading the essays. Some were funny, some sad and some heartbreaking, but all felt very true and real. I feel fortunate to have had a unique opportunity to share this book with my pre-teen daughter as now I am much better prepared to understand the teen girl psyche. But more than that, reading these words together has created a deeper sense of trust and intimacy and I feel my daughter will not be scared or reluctant to talk to me about some of these issues in the future. I would love to see a book of essays by these girls when they turn 21. This is a book that should be read enthusiastically for its honesty and its heart.

This is a remarkable series of essays from a remarkable group of girls. Some are funny, some tragic, some caustic, some hopeful. What's most amazing, though, is that these girls can really write. The stories these 58 tell are heartbreaking, accurate, and hilarious, whether they're about the particular bittersweetness of having divorced parents (Emma Considine's description is better than any I've ever read), about what it's like to be thin when your friends are all bonding over thinking they're too fat, or about learning to say thank you for a hand-carved wooden spoon. Don't miss out on the next generation of writers. Read Red.

i thought that this book really touches the way that teenage girls really feel. some of the essays are also extreamly beautifully written (unlike my writing haha) i especially loved the essay by maya catherine popa. i really felt like i knew what she was going through even though i have no idea who she is or who the people in her story are. i live in kansas and new york city has always seemed like a dream away. i always thought that new york city folks had a different mindset than us, but i was wrong. all teenage girls are going through the same dramas. i don't know what made me want to read this book but i'm glad i did.
i recommend this book to all teenage girls and boys and mothers. girls because it will teach them that they are not alone in this difficult stage of life. boys should read it so that they can understand young women more instead of just complainin about it. and mothers should read it because it will help connect with their daughters and build stronger relationships.

<3 xox
kan-SASS

RED is the most truthful book on my shelf. These girls' stories are potent, there is no watering down--everybody can find a piece of her(or his)self in here.