Split

by Tina Laningham

It’s bad enough when parents divorce, but do they have to broadcast it on the six o’clock news? Apparently yes, if one parent is a U.S. Senator. When major public humiliation sets off a series of pranks by the Triple-Ps, Abby must manage the politics of high school while navigating life at home where all is not as it seems. And why Rafa picks this moment to give Abby a ring, well let’s just say Abby’s in no mood for romance. That is until Daniel comes along—tall, hot and badass, but can Daniel keep up with Abby?

267 pages, ebook

First published January 3, 2014

About the author

After a few eye-opening years as a political journalist, followed by an outrageously fun time as a political speech writer, Laningham fell in love with the art of writing fiction. Her debut novel, A Glass of Crazy, placed in the top five percent of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Reviews

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing: the Kindle version of this novel is called "Split." Apparently, it is either a re-issue or re-working of the book. I like this title better.

With "Split," Tina Laningham has written a novel that beautifully explores what happens when anyone--not just a teen--feels empty inside. I was struck by a quote from Chapter 22, after the protagonist Abby, her parents divorced, has been forced to move from the huge house that she shared with her parents. She is moving from a five bedroom house to one with three: "With no dad and no more friends, I had lots of empty space inside me and didn't need more all around." This expresses the essence of the tale. Abby, devastated by her parents' split, feels empty and desperately clutches at anything that can fill her up again. And what she chooses is harrowing--she turns to alcohol. But this is not just a tale of a teenage drinker. It is a fast-moving examination of how one thing leads to another and another and another. Laningham develops her story with great skill, not only giving us a story that is at times heartbreaking, but also managing to use humor to deal with Abby's frustrations. Abby is a confused fourteen year old with parents who don't have a clue, friends who torment her, and a life that is falling apart at the seams. The author tackles all of this with aplomb. My only reservation--and this is tiny--is that I wish Laningham had given us more reason for parents, who have already dealt with one incident of their daughter's extreme drinking, to allow her, a fourteen year old, to go off to Spring Break with little or no supervision. Abby's parents are, for most of the novel, neglectful and self-centered, but even taking that into consideration, I would have thought that they would exercise more caution before sending such a young girl off to a notorious Spring Break location under the supervision of a family friend who had already proven to be untrustworthy. But that's a minor concern, for the entire incident leads to greater understanding for both Abby and her parents. This is a tale worth reading.

[William Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an authentic, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable story told from the standpoint of a precocious 14 year old Galveston girl. "My name is Abby Alexander and I almost didn't survive my parents' divorce. I mean this literally, not figuratively. I actually almost died." Abby is self absorbed (and who isn't at that age?) but the narrative never feels forced or fatalistic. She starts drinking on the sly to cope with a difficult situation at home as well as at school, both of which are out of her control. That drinking pattern progresses with awful consequences. Ultimately Abby is a survivor, because she recognizes the shortcomings in herself. She also comes to the realization that her parents and friends are flawed as well, but love her and have her best interests at heart. There is genuine humor throughout the book, as Abby lurches from one crisis to another, including a trip to Mexico to visit her philandering father, followed by an even more disatrous spring break experience at South Padre Island in Texas. The story is a delight for the reader from start to finish

[Valeria Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that I'm not suposed to do this but..... Tina laningham is my 6th grade teacher this year and I want to tell her this is an extraordinary book !!!!!!!!

[Billie Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was not the story I expected as I missed 4 key words on the back cover. But it was a book with a story to tell and that story unfolded with vivid realism. Having grown up in a family of alcoholics some of this story was painfully familiar. But other parts were down right hilarious. Part of me wanted to rate it a 3, but I went with 4 as that would have been my rating had I expected the message of the book rather than being taken by surprise. Although a word of warning, if you are a parent of a high school student with spring break plans, you may NOT want to read this while they are away on break.

[Deana Evers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crazy ride into adolescent trauma

First I will say the summary or blurb advertising this book was very vague and not really accurate. I expected a light hearted look into a teen girl dealing with her parents divorce. This was actually a very detailed, traumatic look a teen alcoholism. Overall it was well written and raw. It did ramble on a bit and then end aburptly but this book could def help teens understand that drinking is not the answer to dealing with problems.

[Carlos mutua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ending

In life nothing hurts most more than public humiliation and betrayal from a close person such as friend or family member. This is the life of Abby but the good news at the end of the tunnel there is light and the light is Rafa.

[Holly Manno · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Glass of Crazy is written from the point of view of Abby, an entitled, affluent fifteen-year-old girl who is coming of age and struggling with alcoholism as her parents are getting divorced. The author does a good job of showing empathy for and demonstrating the various perspectives of the characters. The author captured the outcome of intoxication perfectly by demonstrating Abby's doubts and rationalizations as she struggles to recall what she did when she was drinking.

The story meanders in the details of life with three teenagers, and their extended family all playing a part. I appreciated the awakening that Abby had and the personal responsibility she ultimately accepted. This is the perfect YA, coming of age read, that works for parents too. The story takes an honest look at divorce, its impact, and what leads to it.

[Angela Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laningham's depictions of the inner-thoughts and outward actions of Abby, a teen experiencing trials and tribulations to which many can relate, help shed light on a couple of relevant issues: adults (inaccurately) minimizing the damage their actions can do to a human being in development, and people assuming economically-advantaged teens have it made.

For teens, Abby and her core group are raw and relatable. For adults and parents, she brings an acute awareness of the observations and notations teens are making about our actions and motives.

The battle between being in control and getting out of control has never hit so close to home. Well- done!

[Kalyan Panja · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel presents numerous cliches in regard to characterization and plot but at the same time it's hard to stop reading, with a very compelling plot. The story unfolds over time and is written through various points of view and numerous flashbacks without causing problems to the reader and indeed after all is flowing. A book recommended especially to a teenage audience.

[Raegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

-Disclaimer: I won this book for free through goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.-

I could relate a lot to this book and the main character was very likable. The first half of the book was excellent- but the next half wasn't so good. I think it best if I just pass the book on rather than go on a 2 paragraph rant on how I disliked it.