Customer Reviews

Scarred

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Let me preface by saying both that I have read a LOT of books and that usually I do not care for teen angst. Where Teen suicide, drinking, drug use, or disorder is the theme, I tend to steer clear. The temptation for adult authors writing about teen disorder, is to make their character (and the character's disorder) too... syrupy, too convenient, too rational, too accessible/acceptable to today's teens. I don't like that.

Having said that, I do not know why I picked "Willow" up and scanned the first page. But I did. I don't know why the voice of the main character was so compelling. But she was.

I read the whole book in a little under four hours.

Willow is an extraordinary character. Absolutely real, utterly believable, surprising, refreshing, and strong despite what she does to herself, and despite what has happened to her. That's the amazing thing. Willow is still strong. I would say that you should read the book if only to get to know this character, but there are so many other reasons as well!!

There was humor, there were parts where I had to close the book and cry, and there were parts that were so subtly triumphant that I cheered. All types can appreciate this book, which should become a classic of teen literature. Move over, Speak! Cut, your time is over

I'm not even sure where to start this review. I've honestly written this review almost five times and haven't been happy with what I've spit out. I'm not sure I can do this book justice. To say that it was spectacular would be an understatement. To say that I had a hard time putting it down, widely understated! Yet, why? Because in all seriousness, reading a story about a `cutter' didn't really appeal to me. I mean sure it sounded interesting, and I've read books about eating disorders, drugs, so why not try cutting.

So I did.

I totally agree with Hoban's choice to write this novel in third person. Had it not been written from Willow's POV, I know I wouldn't have found it as impressive as I did. I needed that insight, I needed to know why someone would do that to their self. And I hate to admit it but I understood, I empathized, I accepted it. Hoban doesn't dance around the fact, there are some shockingly graphic scenes, but instead of grotesque they are honest and revealing.

And it's not only the characterization of Willow that's impressive. It's the disheartening portrayal of Willow's brother David, and her warped sense of his withdrawal. It's the eccentric relationship between Willow and Guy. It's the secondary characters that have some of the smallest parts but remain prominent in your mind. For me I, couldn't stop thinking about the girl at the restaurant.

Willow is about so much more than cutting. It's about love. Not only first love, but the power of redemption that only love can posses.

Still haven't done the book justice, but I'll leave you with this. Yes, cutting is a painful subject to read about. But Willow was skillfully and uniquely told. Essentially the message is uplifting, even the worst of situations can improve.

Glad I did.

Willow is a real, honest, and emotional book. From the moment you pick the book up, you are invested in Willow and her well-being. Not only is this story about grief and guilt, it is about love and never giving up. It's beautiful.

The characters in Willow are real people with complex emotions and personalities. So many books are just full of stereotypes but Willow is full of character's so lifelike it's hard to believe they aren't actual people. I also really love the world that the author has created for these characters. I couldn't help wishing that I was one of the people hanging out in the library that Willow worked at or enjoying the park or a walk through the city. I wanted to be there in that world.

My only initial concern about reading the book was that it would be sad for me to handle or that the cutting would scare me away. None of those things happened, I think having the deep emotional factor that it has only enhanced the reading experience and made it that much more meaningful. The author's skill is so great that for the first time in my life I feel like I understand the reason that people can do such horrible things to their own body. It's always shocked and saddened me but I had never fully understood it until I heard it through Willow's voice.

I don't want to talk too much about the plot itself because I think this is one that's best discovered as you read, as you let it reveal itself to you. Reading Willow was definitely one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I've had in a long time. Every time I had to put the book down I daydreamed of picking it back up and re-joining Willow's world.

Short summary:

Teenage girl accidentally kills parents during a car accident in which she was driving, blames self and proceeds to cut herself for the duration of the book. Suddenly a cute boy appears and saves her from her misery. the end. oh and she has a brother.

If it sounds underwhelming, it's because IT IS. The book just went on and on and onnnnn like some sort of therapy session between Willow and her therapist, oops, I mean Guy, the random cute boy with the white knight complex. The parts about her cutting seemed inauthentic to me. I used to be a cutter when I was a teenager (and I'm not saying that unless everyone else's experiences are exactly like mine they're inauthentic) but there's a lot more to cutting than 'oh the physical pain numbs away the mental pain.' which seems to be the thing that this author latched onto and she carried off with this concept waaaay too much. And the way she describes how Willow feels when she's cutting (like she goes into some heroin-like trance?? really??) i almost want to tell this author to go get some blades and cut herself before she goes ahead and tries to describe what it feels like because just imagining it, you're not gonna get it.

I wanted to also say something about what the other reviewers criticized, how it seems at the end of the book that all Willow needed was a good shag to quit the cutting... I do see where they would get that but I think the author makes it pretty clear that *something inside of Willow changed* when she went to the parent's house, found the mom's note and CRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME, which THEN allowed her to open up to Guy and have sex for the first time and give up on cutting. The mom's note/crying stuff was that catalyst NOT the sex. But honestly the book was such a boring repetitive little snooze-fest that really, who cares??

I only give it 2 stars because i was able to read it to the end.

Willow has been living in a fog for seven months. She performs basic functions--eating communicating, and going to school, but inside she's struggling to deal with a torrent of guilt and pain brought on by the events of a rainy night seven months previously when her parents died in the car she was driving after Willow had lost control of the vehicle.

Isolated and lonely, Willow has turned to her only outlet for her grief--cutting. She manages to keep her growing obsession with the razor blade a secret from everyone--until one day easygoing and hardworking Guy discovers her secret. Rather than look the other way, he becomes determined to help Willow, even though her attitude to him is far from warm. But as time goes by, Willow finds the perhaps a friend is what she needs, and slowly Guy draws her out of her shell. But is Willow strong enough to let go of her only release for her pain, and discover new ways of living?

Willow is a striking and mesmerizing read. What stands out the most is the fact that Hoban focuses just as much on the developing emotions of her characters rather than making the act of cutting the only forefront issue, which gives the book a very sincere and captivating quality. Willow is an intelligent and sensitive character who, though some people may not be able to empathize with on some levels, is a very natural and dynamic character that readers can identify with. The issue of cutting is handled very smoothly and is looked at from both sides, which will placate a diverse group of readers.

Another element of the novel that stands out is the vivid imagery Hoban employs to set the scene of the book without being overly elaborate, creating a tangible universe for her story. The plot flows at a smooth and steady pace that is easy to follow and completely realistic. Willow is a beautifully written story, wrought with grief, pain, hope, and love that is tender without being cheesy, and optimistic without being cliché or improbable. At the close of the novel, Hoban continues in her practice of keeping it real with a step towards healing that isn't highly dramatic, but hopeful and plausible, leaving readers wishing and hoping for the very best, and unwilling to say goodbye to Willow.

I saw an advertisement for Willow somewhere on the internet, read a bit about it, and got excited. After reading some of it, I was thoroughly disappointed. After reading all of it, I decided that giving it to Goodwill would be cruel.
The only reason I gave it 2 stars is that I appreciate someone touching upon the untouchable subject that is cutting. But the reason I didn't give it 3 stars is that she can't go a single page without something about Guy or how unworthy she is or how she doesn't deserve anything and how she wishes she could be normal and how much of a burden she is to her brother and etc. etc. I understand that Miss Hoban was trying to show how much Willow is beating herself up over her parents' deaths, but, for the love of God!, we get it already!
Please do not read this book. If you're interested in learning more about an actually REALISTIC cutter's point, read Cut. It's amazing; I highly recommend it.

Sorry if I was being harsh, but the overall moral of the story is "All you need is a man to get you through your troubles," and "Losing your virginity is bound to make your life better!" Honestly, I wouldn't give that advice to my worst enemy.

-GuilliMichen

Honestly, i did not have high hopes for this book. However after i started reading this book i began to delve into the story, it captivated me. i took this book everywhere with me and read a page or two in class, i even sneaked a page or two at work. this book became my addiction if i want to be lame lol. whenever i had free time, which is rare, i'd pick it up and not wanna put it down. This book is a very very amazing book, a page turner, one of my new favorites. I would definitely reccomend this book to anyone. Do yourself a favor and buy this book, or at least read it. you wont regret it, i promise.

I've been trying to get my hands on this book for such a long time, and with all of the positive buzz going around on this book, I had a feeling I wouldn't regret buying it. And I most definitely didn't. Willow was probably one of the most gut-wrenchingly sad, yet heart-warningly beautiful books I have ever read. Ever.

I've had friends who cut before, so I felt myself sympathizing with Guy a lot. Guy has just earned himself a permanent spot on my favorite fictional character list. He was so real, yet one of those guys that only come around once in a lifetime. He dealt with Willow's problems magnificently, but there were times in which he'd become overwhelmingly angry, which I loved. It's not an easy issue to deal with, especially if it's happening to somebody you care about, and frustration is only natural.

I was also saddened by Willow and David's relationship, but I went through the same waves of emotions that Julia Hoban wrote for her characters. As I read, I went from agreeing with Willow, to scoffing and awing at something David did or said, to wanting to cry when the two finally blew up. The ending didn't leave you satisfied in knowing that the two were back on regular terms, probably because they never would be. It still left you with a little bit of hope, though.

But the ending was perfect. It wasn't a story that fast forwarded to years in the future, displaying the change between characters and resolved issues. It was a step in the right direction for Willow, and then an ending, which I loved very much.

I would probably give this a million stars if I could. It was so raw, and real, and I found myself stopping after chapters just to make the story last at least one more day, because I didn't want it to end. I recommend it to everybody. I absolutely fell in love with it, and I'm almost certain you will too.

Plot Sketch: Willow was out to dinner with her parents one night, both antrhopology professors. They had a little too much to drink and asked their sixteen-year-old to drive them home. She agreed, but didn't anticipate how difficult it would be in the torrential rain. She lost control. In the aftermath of this trauma, Willow has moved in with her older brother, his wife, and their baby. She is going to a new school. She's lost contact with all of her old friends because she feels there is no way they could possibly understand her. She's burying her emotions and has turned to cutting to stifle them. That's working out just fine for her until she meets Guy. Guy is in to her, but not her cutting. This is their story.

Verdict: I Heart It. Julia Hoban amazingly weaves an ultimately uplifting story out of dark and depressing content. It's a page turner too. I had to deliberately make myself take breaks to eat. While I was eating, I couldn't help but want to read more. I don't think many people have the talent to write a gripping novel about this type of subject matter. Well done Julia. Willow is important for both adults and teens. The content is on the more mature side, and should definitely be discussed with a parent. No matter what your age, Willow will make an impression. I recommend adding it to your library.

Regarding the cover, some people have said that it doesn't fit the book. I really disagree. I think the cover is the perfect graphical metaphor for Willow's story.

This was another book that has been receiving so many positive, glowing reviews, one almost has to approach reading it with a healthy amount of skepticism. For me, the skepticism was gone just a few pages into the book and I was swept into the story without ever looking back. I read this book in one sitting this past Sunday, pausing only to grab some dinner, which I ate while reading. I have never read a book about cutting or cutters, nor do I know any cutters in my personal life, so I was not expecting to feel so much connection to the story or the characters. In fact, I originally didn't think I wanted to read this book because I wasn't sure I cared to read about this subject matter. Little did I know...

Julia Hoban's writing doesn't let you stay disconnected from the story--nor do her characters. Honestly, this book is just as amazing as the other reviews out there have portrayed it to be. The story is beautifully written and I found myself tearful (and even laughing at times) on several occasions. One of my favorite scenes (minor SPOILER ALERT--sorry!) is after Guy gives Willow his phone number, asking her to call him if she is getting ready to cut herself again. Although she never thought she would, after a particularly upsetting event with her brother, Willow calls him, unable to speak at all. But Guy knows it's her and simply stays on the line and lets her know that he's there. Guy is a big sweetheart, and while I find it hard to believe there really is a teenage guy (sorry) like him out there, you can't help but love him even if he seems a bit too good to be true.

Willow really is a powerful, moving story and I'm so glad I stepped out of my normal comfort zone to read this book.