Sarah Dessen's This Lullaby is a book I've loved since high school. I still remember picking it up in Barnes & Noble and flipping through trying to decide if I wanted it or not. Easy decision at that point, because I saw all the elements that appealed to me: good love story, nerdy musician hero, music, frequent mentioning of The Beatles, a teenage girl who is forced to be grown- up, the lack of a father, and the anticipation period between high school and college. All of these were things I could relate to and so my decision was made.In reading the book, I realized our heroine Remy and I had few similarities beyond what I discovered in my rapid skimming in the bookstore. She's worth rooting for, even if she is a little rough around the edges, and that's exactly what I did. The story twists and turns as Dexter (of course the nerdy boy has a nerdy name) doggedly pursues Remy, knowing he is far from her type. Like her father, the endearing Dexter is a musician, and Remy has a strict "No Musicians!" rule.
As a hopeless romantic I love returning to the story once in a while to follow Remy and Dexter through their constant circling (arguably one of the best parts of a relationship-- the anticipation!) and wait with bated breath to see if they actually get together-- if Remy can get over the trust issues her dad left her with and open her heart to Dex.
I've been meaning to read Sarah Dessen for the last few years (along with Gayle Forman), but never got around to it. I liked the title and your review of this book, so I searched it on Amazon and found this great review:
ReplyDelete"Author Sarah Dessen's ability to write novels that are both crowd pleasers and literary masterpieces of YA fiction is showcased beautifully in "This Lullaby." Subtle yet completely absorbing, "Lullaby" is peopled with breathtakingly believable, three-dimensional characters, the very best of which is the bitter, broken Remy herself."
I've added it to my list! :)
This actually sounds like a great read. Honestly, I was sort of hooked just by the characters' names, Dexter and Remy. I love both of those names oddly enough. I might have to pick it up. Do you think it would be good for men as well as women?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a discussion about characters' names (and if anyone has seen the wonderfully horrible film "Gentleman Broncos" there is a priceless scene in which the published author teaches kids how to choose names for their characters).
DeleteBruce, I think while it's obviously geared towards women (female narrator, the cover, etc.) it's a good book in general (not a "GOOD" book of course) but you could like it. I made my boyfriend read it and he seemed to enjoy it :)
DeleteThis seems like a story that teenagers would thoroughly enjoy and need to read. Though I have not read it yet, your description indicates that many a growing-up lesson has been learned by the characters. This concept needs to be taught to adolescence because the Young Adult part of their lives is so confusing and polarizing.
ReplyDeleteI have never read any if Sarah Dessen's novels, however this sounds like a great boom to start with. Like Bruce, I love the names Remy and Dexter. Also, the plot and the protagonist who is " a little rough around the edges" seems like a perfect mix. I would love to put this on my reading list. I also gained from your post that this would be a fabulous book for teenagers as a recommendation or to teach in class.
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