This Lullaby
By Sarah Dessen
Speak
Publication date: March 8, 2004
ISBN: 9780142501559
I'm starting to notice the Dessen pattern that's been pointed out a few times. Girl has family problems. Girl meets boy who helps her get over family problems. Awkward cringe-worthy moment when girl and boy go separate ways. Family problems lessen, or are figured out. Girl and boy get back together with two pages to spare.
This Lullaby is no different. Remy Starr (who has an amazing tabloid-star name) likes guys - she likes them a lot, but not enough to stick with them. She knows when to give them the break up talk and it usually comes right before things get too serious. She has to though, she knows love doesn't work out in the end, as proven by her mother's four failed marriages. She's strong and single-minded; she speaks her mind and can be harsh to others, but still caring to her friends. Then she meets Dexter, a guy she'd normally not go for. Messy, annoying at times, and clumsy, he bounces his way into her life and helps her loosen up. But with her move across the country for college looming ahead, she knows Dexter will only be temporary. That is, until she realizes that she might have been wrong about love all along.
The book is cute, and harsher than others I've read by Dessen before. Stronger language, and the main character isn't necessarily "good." She's had a sordid past, one she's trying to get over and I liked that she wasn't perfect or inherently wonderful. And Dexter was cute, with his haphazard lifestyle. Of all the Dessen boys, I could probably see myself liking him the most. Of course - I always had a thing for musicians.
The story was pretty simple and straightforward. What I liked most, though, was Remy's relationship with her brother, a minor character. He had a not-so-innocent past as well, but got over it and moved on to better things. I liked their ongoing banter, their brother/sister bond.
My main complaint is that I wish the ending was longer. It felt a bit rushed, the last chapter. Everything was tied up, yes, but I wanted more. I guess that's actually a compliment as well - wanting more.
Overall, the book was fun. If you like any of Dessen's other books, you'll like this.
It's a decent pattern in the end - predictable, yet reaffirming that things will always be ok. Just in the nick of time.
3 comments:
I don't think I've read anything by Sarah Dessen but she sounds like someone I would pick up. Sometimes I don't mind predictable endings because that's what you need when you don't want something too heavy. :) Great review, Lauren.
I definitely have to be in the right mood to enjoy books like this that are predictable. Still as you point out, there is something satisfying in having the conflict and then the happy resolution!
I really need to read this author. I've seen several of the high school girls reading her books.
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