Twisted by Laura Halse Anderson

Twisted by Laura Halse Anderson


Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Category: Young Adult
272 Pages

From Amazon:

Socially inept Tyler Miller thinks his senior year of high school is going to be a year like no other. After being sentenced to a summer of character building physical labor following a graffiti prank, his reputation at school receives a boost, as do his muscles. Enter super-popular Bethany Milbury, sister of his tormentor, Chip, and daughter of his father's boss. Tyler's newfound physique has attracted her interest and infuriated Chip, leading to ongoing conflicts at school. Likewise, Tyler's inability to meet his volatile father's demands to be an asset, not a liability adds increasing tension. All too quickly, Tyler's life spirals out of control. In the wake of an incident at a wild party that Bethany has invited him to attend, he is left feeling completely isolated at school and alienated at home, a victim of twisted perception. Tyler must tackle the complex issues of integrity, personal responsibility, and identity on his own as he struggles to understand what it means to be a man.

Anderson is a genius author. Every single book I've read by her I've loved. Twisted is a step out of her normal zone. This is written from a guy's point-of-view. Tyler was your average geeky teenage boy - but once he decides to spray paint the school his life crumbles around him. His dad is emotionally abusive, his mom is falling apart at the seems, and his sister is starting high school.

Tyler was a good character. Since this plot is character driven, he had to be. He starts out as depressed, thinking on and off about ending his life. After his life starts spiraling out of control, he slowly begins to take control of his life and becomes a man.

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this book. This book is definitely not for anyone who hasn't entered high school. Sex is mentioned a lot. This a really short review, but I totally recommend this book. You need to form your own opinions on this book.

Plot: 8
Characters: 9
Romance: 7
Writing style: 8
Originality/Memorable: 9
Total: 41/50 (B)