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A review by samiism
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood
5.0
I found this book while browsing through the Goodreads Choice Awards 2016 list. One of the best, you know? So what could go wrong? I skimmed the synopsis...too fast. All I gleaned from it was that it is a love story between a girl and some guy who crashed in her backyard meadow of sorts.
"I should have read the synopsis slower" was what I kept thinking until about 30% in. Because clearly, this isn't a love story between a grown woman and a grown man. This is a love story about a child and a twenty-something biker. There was a part in the book that made me gasp, which prompted a questioning look from my boyfriend. And all I could tell him was, "This book is not what I signed up for."
I understand that there are squicky scenes for readers, particularly those who are passionately against pedophilia of all levels. This is not the book for you. At some points, I thought this book was not for me. But it is gripping, and the story is written so beautifully, so I persevered. And you know what? It's pretty darn good.
The book switches between first and second-person POVs, among a number of characters. It also spans 18 years throughout the life of Wavonna "Wavy" Quinn, and her odd relationship with Jesse Joe Kellen. Wavy is described as a weird, highly-introverted child who refuses to speak, to eat around anyone, or to be touched by anyone. Kellen is a Hulk-ish, tattooed guy who is actually a big softie. Wavy and Kellen met when Kellen crashed his motorcycle by the farmhouse where eight-year-old Wavy lives. From there, they form a unique bond. At first, an innocent friendship--Kellen "works for" Wavy's meth-cooking father, and he is the only person Wavy will talk to or hang out with. Because Wavy's parents are neglectful, Kellen has taken to caring for Wavy and her young brother Donal at the farmhouse. He pays for Wavy's school registration, drops her off and picks her up from school, and plays the role of caring big brother/uncle.
Throughout the years, the dynamics of Wavy and Kellen's relationship change. Wavy is exhibiting signs of crushing on Kellen hard, and shows jealousy when he hangs out with women. To placate her and to show that he does love her, Kellen buys her an engagement ring and promises that she will be the only girl to ride on his motorcycle. It seems cute and endearing at first, until it turns out that Kellen and Wavy are actually falling in love with each other.
Kellen and Wavy don't fool around (and I use that term loosely) until Wavy is thirteen, and on the eve of her turning fourteen, everything goes to caca. And I won't say more because you have to read the book yourself.
I am still torn as to whether Kellen intentionally groomed Wavy, or if he was actually just simply acting out of pure love, regardless of her age. This is something the reader will have to decide on.
All in all, I believe this book deserves a change despite the controversial topic. I can think of one other book that evoked a similar reaction, and it was [b:Forbidden|7600924|Forbidden|Tabitha Suzuma|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394239949s/7600924.jpg|10018976] by [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] (Read my review here). That book was a heartbreaker.
"I should have read the synopsis slower" was what I kept thinking until about 30% in. Because clearly, this isn't a love story between a grown woman and a grown man. This is a love story about a child and a twenty-something biker. There was a part in the book that made me gasp, which prompted a questioning look from my boyfriend. And all I could tell him was, "This book is not what I signed up for."
I understand that there are squicky scenes for readers, particularly those who are passionately against pedophilia of all levels. This is not the book for you. At some points, I thought this book was not for me. But it is gripping, and the story is written so beautifully, so I persevered. And you know what? It's pretty darn good.
Spoiler
SPOILER ALERT!The book switches between first and second-person POVs, among a number of characters. It also spans 18 years throughout the life of Wavonna "Wavy" Quinn, and her odd relationship with Jesse Joe Kellen. Wavy is described as a weird, highly-introverted child who refuses to speak, to eat around anyone, or to be touched by anyone. Kellen is a Hulk-ish, tattooed guy who is actually a big softie. Wavy and Kellen met when Kellen crashed his motorcycle by the farmhouse where eight-year-old Wavy lives. From there, they form a unique bond. At first, an innocent friendship--Kellen "works for" Wavy's meth-cooking father, and he is the only person Wavy will talk to or hang out with. Because Wavy's parents are neglectful, Kellen has taken to caring for Wavy and her young brother Donal at the farmhouse. He pays for Wavy's school registration, drops her off and picks her up from school, and plays the role of caring big brother/uncle.
Throughout the years, the dynamics of Wavy and Kellen's relationship change. Wavy is exhibiting signs of crushing on Kellen hard, and shows jealousy when he hangs out with women. To placate her and to show that he does love her, Kellen buys her an engagement ring and promises that she will be the only girl to ride on his motorcycle. It seems cute and endearing at first, until it turns out that Kellen and Wavy are actually falling in love with each other.
Kellen and Wavy don't fool around (and I use that term loosely) until Wavy is thirteen, and on the eve of her turning fourteen, everything goes to caca. And I won't say more because you have to read the book yourself.
I am still torn as to whether Kellen intentionally groomed Wavy, or if he was actually just simply acting out of pure love, regardless of her age. This is something the reader will have to decide on.
All in all, I believe this book deserves a change despite the controversial topic. I can think of one other book that evoked a similar reaction, and it was [b:Forbidden|7600924|Forbidden|Tabitha Suzuma|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394239949s/7600924.jpg|10018976] by [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] (Read my review here). That book was a heartbreaker.