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Tatiana's Reviews > How I Live Now
How I Live Now
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What a weird little book! Granted, I am into weird, but "How I Live Now" just wasn't my kind of weird I guess.
There were many things I liked about the story - the fact that it didn't fit in any genre (it started as a story of an anorexic girl, then morphed into some kind of dystopia and then became a survival story), I liked Daisy's voice - snarky and witty with a healthy dose of unreasonableness and selfishness, the portrayal of war was gritty, and Daisy's personal struggle with weight was fairly compelling in spite of the fact that she obviously used anorexia as a means to divert her father's attention from her stepmom to herself.
But there was a lot of stuff that I questioned, especially glorification of underage incestuous sex. I see this very often in YA these days and always wonder what is the purpose of such a creative choice? I am pretty sure that "How I Live Now" would have been just as good without these add-ons. But mainly, I finished reading the book with "so what" kind of feeling and a complete disinterest in exploring Rosoff's other works, and it is always a sign for me that the book was not too great or memorable.
There were many things I liked about the story - the fact that it didn't fit in any genre (it started as a story of an anorexic girl, then morphed into some kind of dystopia and then became a survival story), I liked Daisy's voice - snarky and witty with a healthy dose of unreasonableness and selfishness, the portrayal of war was gritty, and Daisy's personal struggle with weight was fairly compelling in spite of the fact that she obviously used anorexia as a means to divert her father's attention from her stepmom to herself.
But there was a lot of stuff that I questioned, especially glorification of underage incestuous sex. I see this very often in YA these days and always wonder what is the purpose of such a creative choice? I am pretty sure that "How I Live Now" would have been just as good without these add-ons. But mainly, I finished reading the book with "so what" kind of feeling and a complete disinterest in exploring Rosoff's other works, and it is always a sign for me that the book was not too great or memorable.
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Albie46 wrote: "Was it incestuous? I thought the boy was her cousin? I read it years ago, so probably have forgotten!I think I remember quite liking this book a bit."
If he was her cousin, it was incestuous.
LOL. You see now how obsessed I am over this incest thing? So, if you read something with this sort of thing, please warn me so that I skip it.
I think the cousin lurvin just emphasized how disengaged and strange these kids are, even before the war. Daisy, Edmond, Issac, and Piper are all caught up in their own little world. Between Daisy's anorexia and psychological issues and absent/uninvolved parent issues and Edmond, Issac, & Piper’s apparent psychic issues these are strange kids. But what of the older brother? Notice he wasn’t a part of the younger kid’s clique and he also didn’t seem to possess a special ability? Also, he was the only one to attend a regular school, have regular friends and take an interest in the world around him. Of course, ask me what Rosoff’s point was in writing this novel and I am clueless. I loved it, loved its weirdness and even its disconnect but when wondering what exactly the author’s intended message or point was, I am left scratching my head.
I hear you, Megan, still, SAY NO TO INCEST! (it's a hot button issue for me, obvs):)
Yeah, yeah but..... (Oh lord, can't believe I am defending this point :/) Daisy has never met her mother (obviously) and presumably has never met anyone from her mother's side of the family. So, exotic foreign cousins meeting for the first time as already psychologically messed up teenagers left alone with no adult supervision for weeks on end is totally different than cousins who actually know each other as cousins.
I totally get it and agree with you, Megan, but, but... it's still incest:) But mostly, I think, my problem was (it's been awhile since I read it) that I didn't quite see the point of it all.
That is funny, you read so much disturbing stuff, and I do believe that this is one of the first times I see you have a "too much ick" breaking point :)Yeah, I agree with you that there doesn't seem to be a well defined point to the novel. I flew through it and loved so much of it... but have no idea what Rosoff's intention in telling this story was.
Incest is a huge turn-off for me, when: 1) it's a part of romance in an angsty way (like, in Mortal Instruments) or 2) I don't understand the point of it in a story or 3) the implication of it are not explored honestly and carefully. For instance, in Tender Morsels I understood the purpose of incest. (bestiality, not so much)
It was a very breezy read for me as well.
The person who understands the purpose of beastiality in Tender Morsels is probably a person who would scare me, lol
You read her horny unicorn short story too, right?;)
In Zombies vs. Unicorns? Yes! That was so much more disturbing than the cousin lovin!
mom and dad are cousins so the topic isn't that weird to me :p i just want to know overall if the book is worth the money and time???
ps: i'm just their kid (as in i'm not the one who broke the rules it's them) so no judgement please :)
Sure it's worth it. This book received a lot of critical acclaim.
I just finished reading it today and I regret not reading this beforehand. You summarized it perfectly. I still don't know myself whether I should read another book by her, it was still a very well written and addictive book.
Generally incest relates to sex with close family members ie siblings or parents. Cousins can legally marry in many parts of the world including 20 states in the US. I don't think you can call it incestuous. Somewhat icky, yes.
I agree so much on paragraph 3 - it was just so odd and unnecessary. Their connection was evident without sex.
I think I remember quite liking this book a bit.