A few weeks ago, my cousin suggested I read She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Written in 1992 and placed on Oprah's Book Club list in 1997, She's Come Undone is a timeless novel of a young girl coming of age.I have to say that while I was reading this book, I kept asking myself why in the world would I subject myself to something like this. The story line possessed the most depressing and tragic sequence of events.
Dolores Price, the female protagonist of the book, grows up during the 1950s when television is a novelty and when walking on the moon is the dream of every young person. Dolores Price, however, did not fall into that category.
At the age of 13, Dolores has already faced more than any one adolescent should: her mother lost a baby, her father left her mother for another woman, her mother is put into a mental institution which thus forces Dolores to go and live with her devout Catholic grandmother. In essence, Dolores is bound to say farewell to her childhood.
In her grief, Dolores turns to food as comfort. By the time she reaches young adulthood, she weighs well-over 200 pounds making her the butt of everyone's jokes which thus sends her into deeper depression.
With one tragic even after the other, She's Come Undone is a difficult book to read but the last couple of paragraphs of it make it well worth your time. Dolores Price, although an unlikely heroine, makes one believe that if she can do it, anyone can.
**As a side note, this novel is filled with explicit language and overt sexual content and should not be read by young adults.**
Posts
9 comments:
I had that book and started reading it a while ago, and actually stopped because of the language. It was really sad!
Not sure I would read it, but I appreciate your review. It sounds kind of interesting but not sure about it.
I will have to check out that book. I'm always looking for a good read.
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I appreciate the support and prayers!
Take care~
♥,Lilly
I remember thinking the exact same thing you did when I read this book! I can't remember the end any more because it has been so long since I read it. I am reading an old Oprah book club book now too.
I read this book way back when it came out. I remember it being really over the top depressing, but I don't remember the ending. Maybe I'll have to go back and have a peek at just that part. :)
I've never read it, but my mom/cousins/sibling/aunts did when it first came out and recommended it. I was a Lit major in college and an English teacher before my kids were born, but this is one I still haven't read. Thanks for the great review - maybe I'll get to it someday. I'll be sure to check back for more reviews in the future. (BTW, have you read Eat, Pray Love? My most recent fave, though as a Christian, had to look past some of the religious parts)
I have not read Eat, Pray, Love but it is definitely on my list. I started out as an English major in college but eventually switched over to journalism. I LOVE a good book. Thanks for the suggestion!
And btw - as a Christian you also have to look past the language and sexual content that is a huge part of She's Come Undone.
I have started and never finished a couple of his books because my grandma reads them and gives them to me. I don't like them. I read all the time and LOVE books, but I just don't like his writing... glad you found it worthwhile in the end.
Hello. I am not fond of that book. I read it ages ago and liked it, but when I read it again I realized it was full of stereotypes.
I just finished reading it for a book club and realized I still don't like it, the dialogue is very weak and filled with cliches and I've read much better young adult books that were 1/4th the pages, but more powerful.
Post a Comment