Speak

Speak


By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Reviewed by: gothiclolitamaiden, 15
Rating: It was amazing!


A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.
This is the kind of book that everyone should read at least once. It’s heartbreaking and disturbing, but it’s realistic. As I read Speak, I found myself rooting for Melinda, helping that she would learn to combat her depression and speak out. It isn’t exactly a page-turner, but keeps you reading because you can put yourself into Melinda’s shoes almost too easily. Speak is not an easy read, it’s the kind of book that makes you think.

Laurie Halse Anderson’s writing style conveys feeling smoothly and there are moments of humor that don’t ruin the overall tone and message of the novel. Anderson’s writing is descriptive, despite the challenge of using a scarred high school student as a narrator without sounding unnatural. None of the characters are ideal, which makes them engrossing.

Speak may be a little too disturbing for some people, but as you read, you have to keep in mind that what happens to Melinda in the novel actually happens to people in real life. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who has ever wondered what could possibly be going on in a rape victim’s mind.


Recommended to: Everyone 14+