Review: Such A Pretty Girl

Title: Such A Pretty Girl
Author: Laura Wiess
Publication date: January 2nd, 2007


Summary:
They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three.

Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison.

Today her time has run out.

Review:
Let me start by saying that I found this book very hard to read. Though it doesn't tell you in the summary, you can probably guess that the reason Meridith's father was in jail was for being a child molester. To his own daughter, but also to other kids. It was very hard to read about, and must have been hard for the author to write about. But it was very real. After reading both of Laura Wiess's books, I really love her as an author. Such A Pretty Girl is the story of Meredith, and how she deals with her father coming home early from prison. He doesn't change at all, and continues to come after her. I'd be scared out of my mind if I were in her place, and I'd call the cops right away. She didn't though - she put up with it and tried to run away, and find ways to cope the best that she could. Like going over to spend time with her neighbor Andy, who's a paraplegic. They have a special relationship that I can't really describe.

While this book was disturbing at most parts, I really enjoyed reading it. I also really liked the cover. It's kind of sad, but beautiful at the same time. I think that the picture alone represents this book really well.

My first review on this blog was of Laura Wiess's other book, Leftovers. I enjoyed this one just as much as I did Leftovers. They were both such powerful books, on very real subjects. If you haven't read either of them, please go pick up at least one or the other. They're both amazing. That's all I can really say.


Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Overall Rating: 9.5/10