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Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal
Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal follows the story of outcast high school senior Carson Phillips, who blackmails the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal to bolster his college application; his goal in life is to get into Northwestern and eventually become the editor of The New Yorker. At once laugh-out-loud funny, deliciously dark, and remarkably smart, Struck By Lightning unearths the dirt that lies just below the surface of high school. At a time when bullying torments so many young people today, this unique and important novel sheds light with humor and wit on an issue that deeply resonates with countless teens and readers.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 20, 2012
304 people are currently reading
11692 people want to read
About the author
Chris Colfer
60 books11.1k followersChris Colfer is an Emmy-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actor best-known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel on the FOX television series "Glee".
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ("The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning") as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
He is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include the first three novels in the "Land of Stories" series ("The Wishing Spell", "The Enchantress Returns" and "A Grimm Warning") as well as "Struck By Lightning: The Carson Philips Journal" which is a novelization based on the script he wrote for the film "Struck By Lighting" (Colfer also co-produced and starred in that movie).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,669 reviews
May 5, 2016
“Youth is not an excuse for insanity!”
As usual, when I don’t expect much from a book, it’s when it surprises me in the most pleasant ways. Struck by Lightning was originally a screenplay and was thankfully developed into a novel written by Chris Colfer, the popular Glee actor.
The book is written in a journal format by Carson Phillips, an extremely smart and ambitious senior student who has only one aim-to get into Northwestern and leave his sad hometown through all means possible, even if it means having to blackmail the popular kids (the stereotypes) of the school to help him come up with a literary magazine. (Contents of the literary magazine are included in the book and most of the entries are hilarious!) What originally was a selfish motivation has turned into something relevant and meaningful when Carson’s project later unveiled the realities behind the masks of these high school walking clichés.
The writing is impressively funny, sarcastic and affecting and I couldn’t count the number of times I was sniggering or laughing out loud at the hilarious lines and analogies but there were also many times where the story touched my heart and earned me a few tears. I also thought the plot was really unique and even though it didn’t end the way I hoped it would, I honestly thought it gave the entire story poetic justice.
"Life comes at you fast. It hits you and tries to escape and be expressed in any way possible. In a way, it's a lot like lightning."
January 12, 2013
Okay, I'll openly admit it, I was very wary of reading this book, simply because it was written by someone from Glee and I really don't like Glee. However, I wanted a quick read so I picked this one up and gave it a go. I'll be honest and say that I'm glad I gave this book a chance - though it was pretty much what I expected, I wasn't disappointed.
Struck By Lightning is the journal of Carson Phillips, a high school senior who is determined to get into Northwestern and become a top editor. Carson is also a bit of an outcast at his school, meaning it's difficult for him to get any support in writing a literary magazine which is essential for his university application. As no one will willingly help him, Carson turns to blackmail in order to get other members of the school to write for his magazine.
Carson is a character who feels very real. Though he wasn't particularly nice at the start, I did understand where he was coming from a lot of the time and I think that a lot of people will be able to connect with him in some way - he did tend to say things that a lot of us probably secretly think to ourselves at some point. I don't know whether I liked or loathed Carson, my opinion upon him changed a lot throughout, though I am very glad that he did seem to grow as a person as he realised some of his naiveté in regards to other people. Initially, Carson was pretty self absorbed, intolerant and not very understanding of others - he just saw what people were like on the surface. The whole story is about Carson discovering more about himself and the others around him and it succeeds in doing that.
The rest of the characters in the story were complete clichés, but it actually didn't matter one bit - in fact, it just added more to the whole feeling of the book. Though the book is generally quite humorous and easy to read, it does touch on some serious issues, such as alcohol abuse and dementia. I think that Colfer did a good job of interweaving these storylines in, not allowing them to completely bog down the book, but to add a some integrity to the book. I was quite impressed with how Colfer made the story seem realistic, inserting all sorts of elements from teenage life.
Overall, this was a fun enough book and for anyone who wants a fun, quick read, this is for you - it's amusing, authentic and easy to read. If you're a fan of Chris Colfer, I'm pretty sure this would make the book even better!
Struck By Lightning is the journal of Carson Phillips, a high school senior who is determined to get into Northwestern and become a top editor. Carson is also a bit of an outcast at his school, meaning it's difficult for him to get any support in writing a literary magazine which is essential for his university application. As no one will willingly help him, Carson turns to blackmail in order to get other members of the school to write for his magazine.
Carson is a character who feels very real. Though he wasn't particularly nice at the start, I did understand where he was coming from a lot of the time and I think that a lot of people will be able to connect with him in some way - he did tend to say things that a lot of us probably secretly think to ourselves at some point. I don't know whether I liked or loathed Carson, my opinion upon him changed a lot throughout, though I am very glad that he did seem to grow as a person as he realised some of his naiveté in regards to other people. Initially, Carson was pretty self absorbed, intolerant and not very understanding of others - he just saw what people were like on the surface. The whole story is about Carson discovering more about himself and the others around him and it succeeds in doing that.
The rest of the characters in the story were complete clichés, but it actually didn't matter one bit - in fact, it just added more to the whole feeling of the book. Though the book is generally quite humorous and easy to read, it does touch on some serious issues, such as alcohol abuse and dementia. I think that Colfer did a good job of interweaving these storylines in, not allowing them to completely bog down the book, but to add a some integrity to the book. I was quite impressed with how Colfer made the story seem realistic, inserting all sorts of elements from teenage life.
Overall, this was a fun enough book and for anyone who wants a fun, quick read, this is for you - it's amusing, authentic and easy to read. If you're a fan of Chris Colfer, I'm pretty sure this would make the book even better!
January 8, 2024
Este es probablemente uno de los libros más comunes y al mismo tiempo diferentes que he leído en mucho tiempo. Ignorando la pésima traducción de la edición en castellano (¿en qué momento se traduce el nombre de un reality tan conocido como The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills y se dice que es un espectáculo, como si fuera un teatro y no un maldito programa de TV?), por lo demás, me ha sorprendido gratamente.
Creo que Chris Colfer ya se ha ganado su hueco en la literatura juvenil –o infantil, especialmente–, y que esta obra demuestra el porqué. Pese a que este libro es una versión de su propio guion que llevó al cine, el protagonista es tan pero tan diferente a cualquiera que puedas encontrarte en las novelas juveniles que ya por eso sorprende bastante. No es bueno, no cae bien, es altivo y egoísta... Y eso hace que la rueda de locura que desata en su instituto funcione tan bien.
Pese a todo, me he quedado con ganas de más, sobre todo por los personajes secundarios, que son buenísimos pero que no terminan de despegar al ser un libro tan corto. El estilo de Chris, además, es ácido y contemporáneo, lo que hace que conectes enseguida con la historia.
Estoy intentando hacerme con una copia de Stranger Than Fanfiction, pero creo que, como este, están descatalogados. Menos mal que me lo había comprado en formato electrónico hace mil años y decidí darle una oportunidad, porque ahora, ambas novelas son casi imposibles de encontrar...
Para mí, Fulminado por un rayo es una novela juvenil con un corte agridulce pero realista, que consigue atrapar al lector justamente por no narrar una historia edulcorada. Deseando leer más de Colfer.
Creo que Chris Colfer ya se ha ganado su hueco en la literatura juvenil –o infantil, especialmente–, y que esta obra demuestra el porqué. Pese a que este libro es una versión de su propio guion que llevó al cine, el protagonista es tan pero tan diferente a cualquiera que puedas encontrarte en las novelas juveniles que ya por eso sorprende bastante. No es bueno, no cae bien, es altivo y egoísta... Y eso hace que la rueda de locura que desata en su instituto funcione tan bien.
Pese a todo, me he quedado con ganas de más, sobre todo por los personajes secundarios, que son buenísimos pero que no terminan de despegar al ser un libro tan corto. El estilo de Chris, además, es ácido y contemporáneo, lo que hace que conectes enseguida con la historia.
Estoy intentando hacerme con una copia de Stranger Than Fanfiction, pero creo que, como este, están descatalogados. Menos mal que me lo había comprado en formato electrónico hace mil años y decidí darle una oportunidad, porque ahora, ambas novelas son casi imposibles de encontrar...
Para mí, Fulminado por un rayo es una novela juvenil con un corte agridulce pero realista, que consigue atrapar al lector justamente por no narrar una historia edulcorada. Deseando leer más de Colfer.
May 26, 2016
This is a short book,written in a journal style (for an easy,quick read perhaps) of a very young talented author and an actor Chris Colfer. It is a story of an ambitious young man,who is desperately in need to get out of his small town,and wanted to go to Northwestern University to become the editor of The New Yorker.
Carson Phillips,the MC who is not really a likeable character because of his bitter attitude,would do any thing (even blackmailing the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal/magazine) just to bolster his career. But as I continue reading this book,I cannot hide the underlying sympathy I feel for Carson,and the great humor I especially admired about him. I did laugh and cried along with him,and I loved his relationship with his grandmother. Though his grandmother has a memory disorder,she's the only person who didn't give up on him.
The ending of this book,OMG the ending! I didn't see it coming!
. And knowing that it did happen at the ending is what made me reduced the rating.
Over all, I fully enjoyed this book in a LOL manner. Carson Phillip's witty sarcasm is what made the story truly hilarious! There's a strong message here,that the author wants all of us to understand..To enjoy life while we can,or while we're still living it..and that,we should never stop dreaming(even if achieving that dream fails),or else,we'll miss out on much life has to offer.
To my dear little sister,thank you so much for recommending and lending me this book!^^
I am highly recommending this inspiring novel as well,to all those who haven't read this yet!
Carson Phillips,the MC who is not really a likeable character because of his bitter attitude,would do any thing (even blackmailing the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal/magazine) just to bolster his career. But as I continue reading this book,I cannot hide the underlying sympathy I feel for Carson,and the great humor I especially admired about him. I did laugh and cried along with him,and I loved his relationship with his grandmother. Though his grandmother has a memory disorder,she's the only person who didn't give up on him.
The ending of this book,OMG the ending! I didn't see it coming!
. And knowing that it did happen at the ending is what made me reduced the rating.
Over all, I fully enjoyed this book in a LOL manner. Carson Phillip's witty sarcasm is what made the story truly hilarious! There's a strong message here,that the author wants all of us to understand..To enjoy life while we can,or while we're still living it..and that,we should never stop dreaming(even if achieving that dream fails),or else,we'll miss out on much life has to offer.
To my dear little sister,thank you so much for recommending and lending me this book!^^
I am highly recommending this inspiring novel as well,to all those who haven't read this yet!
December 2, 2012
I will be honest, I'm a huge fan of Chris Colfer, but I read this book trying to remain very unbiased.
For SBL the book (which by the way, the movie seems a lot better than the book and I'm extremely extremely excited for it).
This book is too obvious. It spells out exactly what the character is feeling and thinking, which makes sense for a journal-entry novel... but Carson, the main narrator also has such a remarkable clarity of how he's transformed that it's entirely too unrealistic. It rings false.
(For as much as I harp on Perks of a Wallflower, this is one thing that Stephen Chbosky got right and did it well in his journal-entry style structure.)
In SBL, I get it, people can be self-aware, yes, fair enough, but it seems as if Chris Colfer writes revelations so blatantly obvious that the reader doesn't get to come to their own conclusion.
"Am I starting to care? Am I starting to see these shitwads as actual human beings?"
Yes, you are. But there's no need to say it outright. Let us and yourself come to that a little bit more organically, kid.
However, I will admit that the lesson of not to assume that other people's lives can't be shitty or shitter than yours is an important one, and one that I'm still learning.
Now, I will say this. I do enjoy the fact that the main character Carson is an asshole. He's not a bad person, but he is a jerk. But there are reasons and circumstances that make his doucheyness... understandable. Carson has the very superior view of himself compared to every other person... but I mean, that's honest. It's mean and selfish, but it's also something I've felt and it's something that's never acknowledged in mainstream media. This is, and it wasn't made to feel as if you were a horrible person.
I can see how Carson is grating, but I've also been an asshole, so I... get it. Let's face it, ambitious people are usually assholes. Hell, most people are usually assholes.
The narrative is also quite interesting. The prose could use a bit more tightening/editing or sophistication, but it is witty, intensely cynical and deeply deeply sad. It's very much a dark comedy where the idea and characters and plot are there, but the writing isn't.
And that makes me sad. When the characters and premise and plot is awe-inspiring, but the writing is weak. Execution is just as important, and it makes me sad for what could've been. Suzanne Collins, I'm still bitter.
But fuck, Carson is bitter. Bitter, bitter. And fucked up, dude. There is so much anger, holy.
The Clover Magazine's writing submissions were a little too... metaphorically obvious considering their writers... but fine, fuck, they were good. They brought the point home that other people feel shitty sometimes too and that no one's life is perfect. Again, a little too on the nose, but I highly enjoyed it.
Another unexpected thing, Colfer writes dementia and depression extremely well, subtle in a way much of the rest of the book isn't. His handle on adult relationships and characters and their issues is one that I wish could be explored more in-depth, because if there was ever a moment where Colfer's writing ability shone through... it was during those.
For SBL the book (which by the way, the movie seems a lot better than the book and I'm extremely extremely excited for it).
This book is too obvious. It spells out exactly what the character is feeling and thinking, which makes sense for a journal-entry novel... but Carson, the main narrator also has such a remarkable clarity of how he's transformed that it's entirely too unrealistic. It rings false.
(For as much as I harp on Perks of a Wallflower, this is one thing that Stephen Chbosky got right and did it well in his journal-entry style structure.)
In SBL, I get it, people can be self-aware, yes, fair enough, but it seems as if Chris Colfer writes revelations so blatantly obvious that the reader doesn't get to come to their own conclusion.
"Am I starting to care? Am I starting to see these shitwads as actual human beings?"
Yes, you are. But there's no need to say it outright. Let us and yourself come to that a little bit more organically, kid.
However, I will admit that the lesson of not to assume that other people's lives can't be shitty or shitter than yours is an important one, and one that I'm still learning.
Now, I will say this. I do enjoy the fact that the main character Carson is an asshole. He's not a bad person, but he is a jerk. But there are reasons and circumstances that make his doucheyness... understandable. Carson has the very superior view of himself compared to every other person... but I mean, that's honest. It's mean and selfish, but it's also something I've felt and it's something that's never acknowledged in mainstream media. This is, and it wasn't made to feel as if you were a horrible person.
I can see how Carson is grating, but I've also been an asshole, so I... get it. Let's face it, ambitious people are usually assholes. Hell, most people are usually assholes.
The narrative is also quite interesting. The prose could use a bit more tightening/editing or sophistication, but it is witty, intensely cynical and deeply deeply sad. It's very much a dark comedy where the idea and characters and plot are there, but the writing isn't.
And that makes me sad. When the characters and premise and plot is awe-inspiring, but the writing is weak. Execution is just as important, and it makes me sad for what could've been. Suzanne Collins, I'm still bitter.
But fuck, Carson is bitter. Bitter, bitter. And fucked up, dude. There is so much anger, holy.
The Clover Magazine's writing submissions were a little too... metaphorically obvious considering their writers... but fine, fuck, they were good. They brought the point home that other people feel shitty sometimes too and that no one's life is perfect. Again, a little too on the nose, but I highly enjoyed it.
Another unexpected thing, Colfer writes dementia and depression extremely well, subtle in a way much of the rest of the book isn't. His handle on adult relationships and characters and their issues is one that I wish could be explored more in-depth, because if there was ever a moment where Colfer's writing ability shone through... it was during those.
March 25, 2013
When I found out that Chris Colfer wrote a book:
When I read said book:
That was not what I was expecting ... at all
But that's not saying I didn't like the book; on the contrary, I found myself really enjoying Colfer's book.
What I found surprising was the main character, Carson's overall ... douchiness (for lack of better words). He was well, most definitely not Kurt Hummel! He was conceited and so arragont and simply negative.
I loved him.
He was so genuine and I could visualize Carson roaming the halls of my high school, all dressed up in his pencil costume.
The novel was a short, quick and easy read. Carson is very witty and the humour had me stifling laughs as I read this novel underneath my history textbook (because really - who can focus on history when you can read about some shitwads?)
The plot line was quite easy to follow, and I loved reading about all the secondary characters. I found myself completely engrossed in the novel because it was just so darn addicting!
While Colfer does touch upon some serious matters, he keeps the overall tone of the book light and fun(ny). Seriously - Colfer is a funny, funny guy. Just a warning though, this book does have some swearing and suggestive material *raises eyebrow*. I found that it actually added to the story; made it more realistic for its high school setting.
The moral of the story was very clear. Don't assume that your life is any harder than someone else's because you don't know what they're going through. We all put on masks but underneath those masks, pain can exist.
Overall, a charming and humorous tale that I'm glad to have read. Of course, I have read better but if you're looking for a light read, look no farther.
I couldn't have expected anymore.
When I read said book:
That was not what I was expecting ... at all
But that's not saying I didn't like the book; on the contrary, I found myself really enjoying Colfer's book.
What I found surprising was the main character, Carson's overall ... douchiness (for lack of better words). He was well, most definitely not Kurt Hummel! He was conceited and so arragont and simply negative.
I loved him.
He was so genuine and I could visualize Carson roaming the halls of my high school, all dressed up in his pencil costume.
The novel was a short, quick and easy read. Carson is very witty and the humour had me stifling laughs as I read this novel underneath my history textbook (because really - who can focus on history when you can read about some shitwads?)
The plot line was quite easy to follow, and I loved reading about all the secondary characters. I found myself completely engrossed in the novel because it was just so darn addicting!
While Colfer does touch upon some serious matters, he keeps the overall tone of the book light and fun(ny). Seriously - Colfer is a funny, funny guy. Just a warning though, this book does have some swearing and suggestive material *raises eyebrow*. I found that it actually added to the story; made it more realistic for its high school setting.
The moral of the story was very clear. Don't assume that your life is any harder than someone else's because you don't know what they're going through. We all put on masks but underneath those masks, pain can exist.
Overall, a charming and humorous tale that I'm glad to have read. Of course, I have read better but if you're looking for a light read, look no farther.
I couldn't have expected anymore.
September 4, 2018
Listened to this short YA book from Hoopla. I dunno, some weird early writer missteps especially that ending. And the main character is an outcast but SO pretentious and SUCH a bully that I had no empathy for him. I realized after starting that I’d seen the movie. My Newest Literary Fiction Group in GoodReads is focusing on YA this month so get ready!
August 13, 2015
Original read April 2013
Re-read via audiobook August 2015
Meet Carson Phillips:
He doesn't hesitate to tell people what he thinks, is hardworking and very smart/goal-oriented. He can be a douche but there's something about him as well. Maybe not quite lovable or relatable but it's there.
His inner monologues had me laughing quite a bit and rolling my eyes.
Sometimes it can be a bit harsh and if he were my friend in real life he probably would have gotten a smack from time to time.
I love that Chris narrated this, it would have felt weird if anyone but him brought Carson to life for the audiobook. His narration made you feel like Carson was right there with you in the room:). You can tell he had fun recording it all.
It's somewhat different from the movie (the movie had some extra scenes and the ending was somewhat better) but not in a bad way.
Would recommend:) Happy reading!
HPBoy13's great review here
Re-read via audiobook August 2015
Meet Carson Phillips:
He doesn't hesitate to tell people what he thinks, is hardworking and very smart/goal-oriented. He can be a douche but there's something about him as well. Maybe not quite lovable or relatable but it's there.
His inner monologues had me laughing quite a bit and rolling my eyes.
Sometimes it can be a bit harsh and if he were my friend in real life he probably would have gotten a smack from time to time.
I love that Chris narrated this, it would have felt weird if anyone but him brought Carson to life for the audiobook. His narration made you feel like Carson was right there with you in the room:). You can tell he had fun recording it all.
It's somewhat different from the movie (the movie had some extra scenes and the ending was somewhat better) but not in a bad way.
Would recommend:) Happy reading!
HPBoy13's great review here
April 25, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was really funny and a little inappropriate, but it was still a good book
January 3, 2013
Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer details Carson Phillips' struggle to gain admission to the school of his dreams: Northwestern University. He absolutely abhors everyone in his small, narrow-minded town - everyone aside from his ailing grandmother and depressed mom. When he realizes that he needs to create a literary journal to bolster his chances of acceptance, he blackmails various people from myriad social groups to write for him.
I empathized with Carson. Trust me, I did. I don't live in the most conservative, small-minded town ever, but my area is far from New York City or Los Angeles. My yearning for college stems from my need to experience a different setting. In that respect I connected to Carson; his development in the ending spoke to me as well.
However, overall, I detested Carson. Lately I've read books with unlikable characters who are unlikable for no reason - like Carson, they're not fleshed out or written well. Carson castigates his peers for being immature and shallow and superficial, yet he embodies these characteristics as well. He starts rumors and treats his teachers with no respect. He makes snarky, cocky comments that do not contribute to his welfare or better his situation. Here's one passage I found unduly offensive:
"Personally, I don't buy 'rebellious phases.' I think they're just dramatic ways of saying, 'I have no real problems, so I'm going to dress differently and hurt myself so people think I'm more complex than I really am.' I'm sorry, you can kiss my a** with your 'inner turmoil.'
You want to be 'left alone'? You don't want to be 'understood'? Then stop dressing up every day like it's Halloween, you whiny little b*tch. Get over yourself, get some Zoloft, and stop being a f*cking eyesore to everyone around you."
What's ironic about this passage is that Carson himself often complains incessantly. Go figure.
Finally, a lot of the book felt fake. Carson would often randomly start preaching about accepting others or not being judgmental; then, pages later, he would go back to insulting everyone around him. Moments or characters that could have had significant impact or thematic importance were dealt with sparsely and with little detail, like Carson's decision to take antidepressants or Vicki's goth personality.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Watch the movie, but don't waste your money on the book. As other reviewers have stated, this book seems like it was produced solely to supplement the movie. A lot of the dialogue is exactly the same dialogue from the trailers and I could discern how script-like the book was in nature. Hopefully Chris Colfer writes a more relatable or developed story next time; I haven't been impressed yet, neither by his role on Glee nor his publishing of this book.
*review cross-posted on my blog the quiet voice.
I empathized with Carson. Trust me, I did. I don't live in the most conservative, small-minded town ever, but my area is far from New York City or Los Angeles. My yearning for college stems from my need to experience a different setting. In that respect I connected to Carson; his development in the ending spoke to me as well.
However, overall, I detested Carson. Lately I've read books with unlikable characters who are unlikable for no reason - like Carson, they're not fleshed out or written well. Carson castigates his peers for being immature and shallow and superficial, yet he embodies these characteristics as well. He starts rumors and treats his teachers with no respect. He makes snarky, cocky comments that do not contribute to his welfare or better his situation. Here's one passage I found unduly offensive:
"Personally, I don't buy 'rebellious phases.' I think they're just dramatic ways of saying, 'I have no real problems, so I'm going to dress differently and hurt myself so people think I'm more complex than I really am.' I'm sorry, you can kiss my a** with your 'inner turmoil.'
You want to be 'left alone'? You don't want to be 'understood'? Then stop dressing up every day like it's Halloween, you whiny little b*tch. Get over yourself, get some Zoloft, and stop being a f*cking eyesore to everyone around you."
What's ironic about this passage is that Carson himself often complains incessantly. Go figure.
Finally, a lot of the book felt fake. Carson would often randomly start preaching about accepting others or not being judgmental; then, pages later, he would go back to insulting everyone around him. Moments or characters that could have had significant impact or thematic importance were dealt with sparsely and with little detail, like Carson's decision to take antidepressants or Vicki's goth personality.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Watch the movie, but don't waste your money on the book. As other reviewers have stated, this book seems like it was produced solely to supplement the movie. A lot of the dialogue is exactly the same dialogue from the trailers and I could discern how script-like the book was in nature. Hopefully Chris Colfer writes a more relatable or developed story next time; I haven't been impressed yet, neither by his role on Glee nor his publishing of this book.
*review cross-posted on my blog the quiet voice.
January 23, 2018
I've been in a state of perpetual grief since Glee ended in March 2015, reading this book was supposed to help mend my broken heart and while it didn’t exactly heal me I did enjoy the reading experience.
I love Chris Colfer with all my heart so maybe I'm biased but I thought this book was great. It’s an entertaining, fast read that has a good balance of humour and depth. The main character, Carson Phillips, isn’t exactly a good person, but he’s relatable and brutally honest in a way that makes him captivating. Carson is determined to make something of himself and will do anything to get out of the small town he lives in, including but not limited to blackmailing a good chunk of his classmates. The struggle of an aspiring writer paired with a plot centred around blackmailing is right up my alley and while the book isn’t a literary masterpiece I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend reading this one, even if it didn’t cure my post glee blues.
I love Chris Colfer with all my heart so maybe I'm biased but I thought this book was great. It’s an entertaining, fast read that has a good balance of humour and depth. The main character, Carson Phillips, isn’t exactly a good person, but he’s relatable and brutally honest in a way that makes him captivating. Carson is determined to make something of himself and will do anything to get out of the small town he lives in, including but not limited to blackmailing a good chunk of his classmates. The struggle of an aspiring writer paired with a plot centred around blackmailing is right up my alley and while the book isn’t a literary masterpiece I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend reading this one, even if it didn’t cure my post glee blues.
December 28, 2012
I’m sorry for all spelling mistakes as well as the grammar mistakes. I’ll correct them later. Also : SPOILER WARNING
So I got my copy of „ Struck by lightning- The Carson Philips journal” by Chris Colfer today and after aprox. 3-4 hours I finished it.
I love and adore Chris but like in my last comment I want to keep him out of the actual story, so I can judge it without problems. This was a little bit harder this time, since I knew that Carson is played by him. So all the time when I imagined Carson I saw Chris before my eyes. But I still lost myself in the actual story so I only used him as the visual image. ( Though at some parts I was just like: OMFG CHRIS SERIOUSLY?!)
So this comment is based on my untainted view on the story. I won’t glorify it just because Chris Colfer wrote it. It would be wrong and neither Chris nor the Story deserve that.
„ Struck by lightning- The Carson Philips journal” is a journalesque designed book, where the character Carson describes his days. The book itself was written after the film was made and describes the story in Carsons point of view.
Carson Philips is a high school senior who lives in a small town called Clover. ( Oops I almost wrote Clovis). He’s really unsatisfied with his life and his biggest goal is to get into the north-western university and later be the editor of the new Yorker and other magazines. So everything he does is to work himself towards this goal. It’s literally all he can think of. His driven and sarcastic nature makes him really unpopular with his fellow students. Though he’s the chef of the writers club and the editor of the school paper, he’s pretty much disliked by everyone. Now after getting to hear that his efforts, to get into is dream university ,are not enough Carsons tries to make a literature magazine with entries from other students. But this is the problem. No one wants to submit something. Out of desperation (and probably satisfaction) Carson, who has dirt on everyone, blackmails his classmates to join his project. This actually works for him and everyone submits something. The literary magazine is complete. But while on this journey, Carson gets to know the people he actually despised all the time. He doesn’t befriend with them, but he gives them advice and actually feels sympathy for some of them who have problems on their own.
But they’re not the only ones with problems. Carsons Mother, with whom he’s living alone, is a wreck after her divorce and turns to alcohol. Their relation is strained. His relationship with his dad is almost non existent. The only person who Carson clearly loves is his grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer and doesn’t remember him most of the time. In the end Carsons dreams burst and he’s left in Clover with a town who hates him and a broken dream and a broken family. But in this tragic moment Carson's looking up and making the best out of the worst. But then tragedy strikes…
So after this very bad summary. ( I’m sorry guys I promise it’s much better than it sounds here) I will give you some of my impressions.
First of all: I would’ve definitely dated that guy. Carson is such an unique and interesting character. I actually can’t believe that no one valued him. I probably would be the first one to join his writers club.
Chris portrait his personality very good and we got a good glimpse into Carsons world. Unfortunately this glimpse was very very long. Over half of the book we get to know about Carsons life and how much he hates practically everything. Chris tries to build up some tension and a deeper storyline but it doesn’t quite work that good in the beginning. The start is by no means boring but it lacks some dept and maybe a little bit more insight in some past things.
The thing where its okay that we only get to know bits and parts of the actual plot is, when Chris writes about the problems Carson's classmates have.
This whole thing is Carsons journal, so of course he doesn’t know all about the cutting thing ( Vicki)or the problems the two gay students have. The hints Chris gives us are more than enough and are very well placed. He creates three-dimensional characters with only one perspective, which can be really hard.
I already mentioned it on my “Land of stories” review but I have to say it again: Chris has an eye for pacing his stories. He know’s when to place certain events to create tension or make things funny.
Now after about the half of the book things are getting serious. And that quite fast. It’s almost haunting how straight forward everything crashes down on him. The hate of his classmates, the denied application, his family situation everything seems to happen at once but at the same time it doesn’t get melodramatic or ridiculous. It’s so sad to see Carson crumble under everything and then get to find himself again only to be killed in the end ( I think it’s a really good thing that we only get to know about this via the paper). I admit I cried a little bit in the end. Such a tragic story for a character who I would love to cuddle and comfort. Carson really grows on you really fast and it’s really sad to see him fail in the end.
So the story was really good. Maybe some characters should’ve been more explored but overall Chris did an excellent job on creating interesting Characters and even more interesting stories.
He clearly improved his storytelling and the problems and issues of the characters are very much real and tangible. It’s a huge difference between this and tLOS. It’s darker, it’s realistic and it’s rough. It teaches you something and makes you think about it.
Now his writing style. I have to say I like this book even more than “ Land of Stories”. It’s probably because this story hits closer to home than TLOS. Chris definitely improved his writing style. It’s still very simple but more than enough. With this you can concentrate more on the actual plot than some fancy ways of saying something. The sarcasm in this book is unbelievable. I think I never laughed this much. The snark in Carsons voice is perfect, if a little bit cynic and sad. I also really liked the concept of putting the actual magazine in the book.
Overall: The book was amazing. Really.
Of course it’s no literary gold but still some of the good ones I’ve read. It made me cry and shout at the end. It made me feel and think about things. It also made me question some of my behaviours and dreams. It’s a beautiful book about having dreams, being young, being yourself and fighting for happiness.
I would recommend it to everyone.
Read this. And if you don’t like the story you will still fall in love with Carson and his humour.
So I got my copy of „ Struck by lightning- The Carson Philips journal” by Chris Colfer today and after aprox. 3-4 hours I finished it.
I love and adore Chris but like in my last comment I want to keep him out of the actual story, so I can judge it without problems. This was a little bit harder this time, since I knew that Carson is played by him. So all the time when I imagined Carson I saw Chris before my eyes. But I still lost myself in the actual story so I only used him as the visual image. ( Though at some parts I was just like: OMFG CHRIS SERIOUSLY?!)
So this comment is based on my untainted view on the story. I won’t glorify it just because Chris Colfer wrote it. It would be wrong and neither Chris nor the Story deserve that.
„ Struck by lightning- The Carson Philips journal” is a journalesque designed book, where the character Carson describes his days. The book itself was written after the film was made and describes the story in Carsons point of view.
Carson Philips is a high school senior who lives in a small town called Clover. ( Oops I almost wrote Clovis). He’s really unsatisfied with his life and his biggest goal is to get into the north-western university and later be the editor of the new Yorker and other magazines. So everything he does is to work himself towards this goal. It’s literally all he can think of. His driven and sarcastic nature makes him really unpopular with his fellow students. Though he’s the chef of the writers club and the editor of the school paper, he’s pretty much disliked by everyone. Now after getting to hear that his efforts, to get into is dream university ,are not enough Carsons tries to make a literature magazine with entries from other students. But this is the problem. No one wants to submit something. Out of desperation (and probably satisfaction) Carson, who has dirt on everyone, blackmails his classmates to join his project. This actually works for him and everyone submits something. The literary magazine is complete. But while on this journey, Carson gets to know the people he actually despised all the time. He doesn’t befriend with them, but he gives them advice and actually feels sympathy for some of them who have problems on their own.
But they’re not the only ones with problems. Carsons Mother, with whom he’s living alone, is a wreck after her divorce and turns to alcohol. Their relation is strained. His relationship with his dad is almost non existent. The only person who Carson clearly loves is his grandmother who suffers from Alzheimer and doesn’t remember him most of the time. In the end Carsons dreams burst and he’s left in Clover with a town who hates him and a broken dream and a broken family. But in this tragic moment Carson's looking up and making the best out of the worst. But then tragedy strikes…
So after this very bad summary. ( I’m sorry guys I promise it’s much better than it sounds here) I will give you some of my impressions.
First of all: I would’ve definitely dated that guy. Carson is such an unique and interesting character. I actually can’t believe that no one valued him. I probably would be the first one to join his writers club.
Chris portrait his personality very good and we got a good glimpse into Carsons world. Unfortunately this glimpse was very very long. Over half of the book we get to know about Carsons life and how much he hates practically everything. Chris tries to build up some tension and a deeper storyline but it doesn’t quite work that good in the beginning. The start is by no means boring but it lacks some dept and maybe a little bit more insight in some past things.
The thing where its okay that we only get to know bits and parts of the actual plot is, when Chris writes about the problems Carson's classmates have.
This whole thing is Carsons journal, so of course he doesn’t know all about the cutting thing ( Vicki)or the problems the two gay students have. The hints Chris gives us are more than enough and are very well placed. He creates three-dimensional characters with only one perspective, which can be really hard.
I already mentioned it on my “Land of stories” review but I have to say it again: Chris has an eye for pacing his stories. He know’s when to place certain events to create tension or make things funny.
Now after about the half of the book things are getting serious. And that quite fast. It’s almost haunting how straight forward everything crashes down on him. The hate of his classmates, the denied application, his family situation everything seems to happen at once but at the same time it doesn’t get melodramatic or ridiculous. It’s so sad to see Carson crumble under everything and then get to find himself again only to be killed in the end ( I think it’s a really good thing that we only get to know about this via the paper). I admit I cried a little bit in the end. Such a tragic story for a character who I would love to cuddle and comfort. Carson really grows on you really fast and it’s really sad to see him fail in the end.
So the story was really good. Maybe some characters should’ve been more explored but overall Chris did an excellent job on creating interesting Characters and even more interesting stories.
He clearly improved his storytelling and the problems and issues of the characters are very much real and tangible. It’s a huge difference between this and tLOS. It’s darker, it’s realistic and it’s rough. It teaches you something and makes you think about it.
Now his writing style. I have to say I like this book even more than “ Land of Stories”. It’s probably because this story hits closer to home than TLOS. Chris definitely improved his writing style. It’s still very simple but more than enough. With this you can concentrate more on the actual plot than some fancy ways of saying something. The sarcasm in this book is unbelievable. I think I never laughed this much. The snark in Carsons voice is perfect, if a little bit cynic and sad. I also really liked the concept of putting the actual magazine in the book.
Overall: The book was amazing. Really.
Of course it’s no literary gold but still some of the good ones I’ve read. It made me cry and shout at the end. It made me feel and think about things. It also made me question some of my behaviours and dreams. It’s a beautiful book about having dreams, being young, being yourself and fighting for happiness.
I would recommend it to everyone.
Read this. And if you don’t like the story you will still fall in love with Carson and his humour.
July 6, 2020
This book was terrible. Every single character is a cliche and a trope. Every plot line that unfolded was unoriginal and offered absolutely nothing new.
The dialogue made me physically cringe at times. It felt like a horrible teen after school special. The main character is generally unlikeable although occasionally he made me laugh.
I REPEAT, EVERY CHARACTER IS A CLICHE. the cheerleader. The idiot jock. The goth. The yearbook girl. The theater gays. It's like reading a horrible teen movie from 2002.
Yeah do yourself a favor and skip it.
The dialogue made me physically cringe at times. It felt like a horrible teen after school special. The main character is generally unlikeable although occasionally he made me laugh.
I REPEAT, EVERY CHARACTER IS A CLICHE. the cheerleader. The idiot jock. The goth. The yearbook girl. The theater gays. It's like reading a horrible teen movie from 2002.
Yeah do yourself a favor and skip it.
July 29, 2021
Last time I read this, I said that a review was coming soon. Well... it’s two months late, so who’s ready?
This book revolves around Carson Philips, the most negative, sarcastic person anyone could cross paths with. His dream is to become an editor for the New Yorker and a few other things that I can’t bing myself to remember.
He wants to enter his dream college calls Northwestern University in Illinois. He wants to do anything that will allow him to leave Clover, his bland hometown.
He is in a journaling club, however, that is no longer sufficient enough to guarantee a spot at the university.
He decides to start a literary magazine... but no one in his school is interested in ‘writing’. Carson is convinced that they would rather live AND die in Clover instead of actually doing anything with there lives.
So then... what’s the next step? Blackmail the popular kids and making sure that they and their ‘groups’ write for the magazine seems to fit.
This is honestly the funniest book with the most tragic ending, but it was all worth it. This one my favorite books!!!!
This book revolves around Carson Philips, the most negative, sarcastic person anyone could cross paths with. His dream is to become an editor for the New Yorker and a few other things that I can’t bing myself to remember.
He wants to enter his dream college calls Northwestern University in Illinois. He wants to do anything that will allow him to leave Clover, his bland hometown.
He is in a journaling club, however, that is no longer sufficient enough to guarantee a spot at the university.
He decides to start a literary magazine... but no one in his school is interested in ‘writing’. Carson is convinced that they would rather live AND die in Clover instead of actually doing anything with there lives.
So then... what’s the next step? Blackmail the popular kids and making sure that they and their ‘groups’ write for the magazine seems to fit.
This is honestly the funniest book with the most tragic ending, but it was all worth it. This one my favorite books!!!!
February 8, 2016
Colfer's premise was almost interesting but the characters were too cliche and his "plan" fell together too quickly and easily. There didn't seem to be much development. This book was very obviously an adaptation of the screen play rather than the other way around. The dialogue was dramatic (his quirky jokes and pop references were cringe-worthy) and the scenes were sparse and shallow. Spoiler alert: killing your protagonist off in a ridiculous, comical way IN THE EPILOGUE is weird and did not make me sad. Perhaps, it is one of those books that only teens will like, but I think that only supports my opinion that it is not interesting or well-written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2015
I LOVED this book. However, I will say that my soul was crushed. My entire being was destroyed by a metaphorical wrecking ball made from the deepest, darkest evil and negativity imaginable. But to avoid spoiling it for anybody who hasn't yet read it, I won't explain why. However, despite the existential crisis I suffered, it was an AMAZING book and I would read it many, many more times.
August 27, 2013
So, I should say something clever here.
It was very good. Not only the story, but the writing as well, and it's such a pleasure, because that's what you see less often when it comes to good books.
If you think you can read it in two days, think again. It's not easy to stomach the venom it contains. A venom, that's more lethal than acid, wasabi and the strongest chili pepper mixed together. It's not an exaggeration.
A lot of readers find it hard to love Carson. Well, do you really think he should be loved? I think, he only needs to be accepted or understood, but not loved. This character is not about love.
But he can be accepted and understood. If you've ever been bullied, don't tell me you've never felt like Carson.
And also, there are the witty quips that make you laugh out loud.
My favourite part though, was the literary magazine. I'm glad it was included in the book.
And among all the venom and quirky lines, I hope you'll notice the message, that no matter what, just do what you believe in.
It was very good. Not only the story, but the writing as well, and it's such a pleasure, because that's what you see less often when it comes to good books.
If you think you can read it in two days, think again. It's not easy to stomach the venom it contains. A venom, that's more lethal than acid, wasabi and the strongest chili pepper mixed together. It's not an exaggeration.
A lot of readers find it hard to love Carson. Well, do you really think he should be loved? I think, he only needs to be accepted or understood, but not loved. This character is not about love.
But he can be accepted and understood. If you've ever been bullied, don't tell me you've never felt like Carson.
And also, there are the witty quips that make you laugh out loud.
My favourite part though, was the literary magazine. I'm glad it was included in the book.
And among all the venom and quirky lines, I hope you'll notice the message, that no matter what, just do what you believe in.
January 10, 2016
3,5.
El final le ha quitado una estrella completa. No, me niego a que termine así D:<
El final le ha quitado una estrella completa. No, me niego a que termine así D:<
December 26, 2022
Honestly, the protagonist was quite rude and arrogant at times. I know not all main characters have to be likeable. However, he was just very predictable and uninteresting.
For the most part, it's a warm high school revenge/comedy story that I'll admit did make me laugh out loud at the beginning, however as the book went on the comedy became more predictable and therefore less funny (or maybe the American humour wasn't translated into British humour)
All things considered it was still a nice comfort read.
For the most part, it's a warm high school revenge/comedy story that I'll admit did make me laugh out loud at the beginning, however as the book went on the comedy became more predictable and therefore less funny (or maybe the American humour wasn't translated into British humour)
All things considered it was still a nice comfort read.
June 6, 2018
Yeet the title makes sense at the end, its full of sarcasm and smartA$$ remarks, its funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2012
I really like Chris Colfer, and think he is immensely talented, but there is just as much to criticise and analyse with this book as there is to praise. There is some wickedly dark humour in here which I love, especially pertaining to high school, but in the end the story seems to have no purpose. I am left baffled by what Colfer was trying to achieve.
The lead character of Carson Phillips is unlikeable. Yes, I get he was an outcast in his school and that led to him getting a certain enjoyment out of blackmailing his classmates. But the character lacked humanity - and there were no repercussions for him, nor did he ever really think about what he was doing to certain people.
The disparity between right and wrong gets even weirder when towards the end Carson gets some semblance of a conscience and wonders if what he is doing is right.
So, in the end I am left with a book that was equally amusing and frustrating. I like flawed characters, but you have to make them work. And the most amusing parts seemed to come from Meleria, the character Rebel Wilson plays in the film - and I'm just not sure whether I was picturing her deadpan delivery and that was amusing me more than the actual book was.
The lead character of Carson Phillips is unlikeable. Yes, I get he was an outcast in his school and that led to him getting a certain enjoyment out of blackmailing his classmates. But the character lacked humanity - and there were no repercussions for him, nor did he ever really think about what he was doing to certain people.
The disparity between right and wrong gets even weirder when towards the end Carson gets some semblance of a conscience and wonders if what he is doing is right.
So, in the end I am left with a book that was equally amusing and frustrating. I like flawed characters, but you have to make them work. And the most amusing parts seemed to come from Meleria, the character Rebel Wilson plays in the film - and I'm just not sure whether I was picturing her deadpan delivery and that was amusing me more than the actual book was.
March 12, 2021
I just hope there's a Daily Hell I can write for. I could do witty editorials like "Hell: Hath It Lost Its Fury?" and maybe weekly updates on who is torturing whom.
This is one of those books that leave me torn. Did I actually love (I did devour it in good time and putting it down was so hard) or hate (Carson sure isn't an easy character to deal with, he's a grade A asshole most of the time but has his moments) this? I can't tell. If you don't like the MC, loving a book can be difficult. This was had so much great things about it, though. The most important for me: The way it was told. Chris Colfer might have as well been reading this to me, I heard his voice inside my head when I read this. I heared the snark, the humor. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. So after writing this review I've set my mind on 4 stars. I'm taking one away for Carson. Maybe a reread someday will help me really make up my mind (or maybe the movie will).
September 29, 2017
Me encantó. No se si estaba predispuesta por la peli o el libro es genial.. yo creo que ambas.
February 10, 2017
Reread: 8/15/16
I got the audiobook on sale at BAM and it was so worth it. This book was even better having the author, Chris Colfer, read it to you because it made the emotional impact of the character's actions and it just improved it greatly overall.
I really love this book. The part right before the ending, the pre-ending of you will, is truly amazing as Carson comes to terms with his life and how's it's playing out. The actual ending still hurts and makes you want to throw things.
Still love it even though I dropped a star.
Original Review: 10/24/14
Original rating: 5 stars.
I'm going to be honest: the whole reason I bought this book was because I saw it in Barnes and Noble and lost my junk because I had no clue Chris Colfer was an author. I’m a total Gleek and I found it so cool that one of them wrote a book. I was really hesitant to read this though; I was worried it was going to be horrible and that it would forever change the way I saw Chris Colfer and that my expectations were too high, etc.
Needless to say, as stated by the five star rating, I was not disappointed. So many things were beautiful about this books that I probably will have to gloss over some so that this review isn’t crazy long.
The story is about Carson Phillips, a high school student from a small town who dreams of writing for the New York Times. Carson is a bit like Holden from Catcher in the Rye, you love him sometimes and hate him at other times.
While I thought it was a bit refreshing, a narrator who wasn’t your average clichéd YA gold, some people may not love it as much as I do.
Another thing I really liked was the just utterly fantastic sense of humor in this book. I knew Colfer was funny from watching interviews, but I didn’t understand the full extent until I read this book. One of my favorite moments was when the teacher asked him in grade school what it’s called when “one thing takes away from another” and young Carson’s response was “homicide!” I literally could not eat while reading this book because I kept choking on my food from laughing too hard.
It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but in a way I kind of liked the idea of the ending. I didn’t like it (no one can actually like it, it’s almost sadistic) but the irony and the truth behind it was still pretty great.
Overall this book was mind blowing. Solid plot, realistic MC, and hilarious prose. No hesitation over full five stars.
I got the audiobook on sale at BAM and it was so worth it. This book was even better having the author, Chris Colfer, read it to you because it made the emotional impact of the character's actions and it just improved it greatly overall.
I really love this book. The part right before the ending, the pre-ending of you will, is truly amazing as Carson comes to terms with his life and how's it's playing out. The actual ending still hurts and makes you want to throw things.
Still love it even though I dropped a star.
Original Review: 10/24/14
Original rating: 5 stars.
I'm going to be honest: the whole reason I bought this book was because I saw it in Barnes and Noble and lost my junk because I had no clue Chris Colfer was an author. I’m a total Gleek and I found it so cool that one of them wrote a book. I was really hesitant to read this though; I was worried it was going to be horrible and that it would forever change the way I saw Chris Colfer and that my expectations were too high, etc.
Needless to say, as stated by the five star rating, I was not disappointed. So many things were beautiful about this books that I probably will have to gloss over some so that this review isn’t crazy long.
The story is about Carson Phillips, a high school student from a small town who dreams of writing for the New York Times. Carson is a bit like Holden from Catcher in the Rye, you love him sometimes and hate him at other times.
While I thought it was a bit refreshing, a narrator who wasn’t your average clichéd YA gold, some people may not love it as much as I do.
Another thing I really liked was the just utterly fantastic sense of humor in this book. I knew Colfer was funny from watching interviews, but I didn’t understand the full extent until I read this book. One of my favorite moments was when the teacher asked him in grade school what it’s called when “one thing takes away from another” and young Carson’s response was “homicide!” I literally could not eat while reading this book because I kept choking on my food from laughing too hard.
It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but in a way I kind of liked the idea of the ending. I didn’t like it (no one can actually like it, it’s almost sadistic) but the irony and the truth behind it was still pretty great.
Overall this book was mind blowing. Solid plot, realistic MC, and hilarious prose. No hesitation over full five stars.
June 7, 2015
I'll be honest, I am biased towards this book simply because it's written by Chris Colfer, and in my opinion, anything to do with Chris Colfer is going to be incredible. This book does not disappoint. It's quick and easy to read; it's not claiming to be anything else either which is fantastic. The plot is so clever and original. It makes me really excited to see the film, so it definitely crosses off one of it's main functions! The writing is incredible; Chris Colfer does not shy away from his literary talents-I'm always blown away by how talented and clever he is. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!
February 14, 2014
El final fue bastante, "¿eh?"
Es un libro muy sarcástico, muy cínico, detrás de la INMENSA dosis de esas dos cosas presentí bastante resentimiento, pero me gustó, distinto e inesperado.
Carson me resultó un poco odioso (si he de ser franca, no me extraña que todo el mundo lo odiara, pobre), pero me gustó mucho su evolución.
Y definitivamente Chris va mejorando como escritor. Además, para mí sus libros tienen un plus: mi mente los lee con su voz jaja
Reseña completa en LEE.SUEÑA.VUELA :D
Es un libro muy sarcástico, muy cínico, detrás de la INMENSA dosis de esas dos cosas presentí bastante resentimiento, pero me gustó, distinto e inesperado.
Carson me resultó un poco odioso (si he de ser franca, no me extraña que todo el mundo lo odiara, pobre), pero me gustó mucho su evolución.
Y definitivamente Chris va mejorando como escritor. Además, para mí sus libros tienen un plus: mi mente los lee con su voz jaja
Reseña completa en LEE.SUEÑA.VUELA :D
December 26, 2015
Let me just preface this by saying that it didn’t take me almost two months to finish this book. Quite the contrary; once I started it I finished it in about two days or so. It’s just that in my inheritantly lazy state of being, I haven’t bothered to write a review about it until now. But hey, at least I have a New Year’s Resolution for 2016!
The best way I can describe this book is what might have happened if Charlie Brown went to high school. But instead of calling himself Charlie Brown, he has now reincarnated himself into a boy named Carson Phillips. Some similarities still stay intact, which is the fact that nobody, NOBODY likes the kid.
”Yeah, I’m a little bitter because I’m one of those kids: bottom of the food chain, constantly teased, despised as an annoyance to everyone around them...”
Carson Phillips is just trying to make it through high school alive and in one piece, so he can escape from his tiny town so he can attend Northwestern University and become a world famous journalist at the New York Times. He’s also president of the journalism club at school, which despite its prestigious sounding title, is a dismal failure. With that added to his list of problems, including a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, an alcoholic and depressed mother, and a father completely out of the picture, Carson’s life is basically a mess.
Things get even worse for Carson when he finds out from his advisor that he would have a better chance of getting into Northwestern if he submitted a literary magazine in order to show off his writing skills and how he “inspires others to write”, per se. But since Carson is basically hated by everyone at the school, his chances are looking pretty bad. That doesn’t stop him from finding ways to get his literary magazine off the ground, even if it means resorting to less savory methods....
With Charlie Brown, you can’t help but like him. He’s the cute little kid you just want to give a hug and tell him that everything will be OK. Carson on the other hand, is more like a prickly cactus stuck in the middle of a desert. You want him to be OK, but from a safe distance. I think I would have liked (and related to him), more if I were a teenager going through the high school experience. But since I’m a 21 year old who’s about to finish college, I’m having a harder time relating to high school kids. While teens who might read this relate to Carson, I found him to generally be annoying and contradictory to his statements. And you don’t necessarily want to see him succeed, which kind of sucks.
First off, Carson complains about how accepting we should be of all people (which is totally true). Especially where he’s coming from, considering how bullied he is. However, then he goes off making statements like this...
”Personally, I don’t buy ‘rebellious phases’. I think they’re just dramatic ways of saying this,’ I have no real problems, so I’m going to dress differently and hurt myself so people think I’m more complex than I really am’ I’m sorry, you can kick my ass with your inner turmoil.
You want to be ‘left alone’? You don’t want to be ‘understood’? Than stop dressing up every day like it’s Halloween, you whiny little bitch. Get over yourself, get some Zoloft, and stop being a fucking eyesore to everyone around you.”
WOAH. Where the fresh hell did that come from? You talk about acceptance and tolerance, and then you just deride someone in this manner. It’s a direct contradiction to your statements. And then there’s this gem...
”The Celibacy Club: A coven of very unattractive girls who find it easier to ‘stay pray’ and ‘save themselves’ than admit that no one wants to sleep with them.”
Yes, Charlie Brown, I do know sarcasm when I see it. And this ain’t sarcasm, that’s for sure.
Hey, how about some slut shaming just for kicks, huh?
”A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a funny user name on the Clover High School website: YearbookGirl 69. I didn’t think much of it, a freshman slut under Remy’s rule, perhaps.”So unlike Charlie Brown, it’s very VERY hard to like Carson Phillips. That’s pretty bad when you can’t even like the main character of the book,
Then again, it was hard for me to like any of the other characters as well. Unfortunately, they were all just typical stereotypes of people in high school. Mr. Colfer doesn’t flesh out or add to their characters in any way, shape, or form, so they’re just kind of flat affect and there to basically remind us how miserable they make Carson’s existence on this planet. You have the bitchy cheerleader, the dumb jock, the self-righteous know it all, the emo goth, the dramatic theater kid, the spacy weedhead, the dumb blond.... you get the idea. It’s like the author devoted so much of his energy into writing Carson that he had little energy to write about the other characters.
I think I would have liked this book more if I were an angsty teenager trying to find my place in the world and needed someone to understand the struggle. But since I’m not an angsty teenager trying to find my place in the world, this book ended up completely stereotypical and nothing extraordinary. I’d recommend this book for a teenager, but other than that, it’s not memorable.
The Movie:I probably shouldn’t even be saying this (it’s sacrilegious for a book lover to say this), but if you read the book, don’t bother even watching the movie. Or if you’ve watched the movie, don’t bother reading the book. Why, do I say? Because it’s the exact same thing, even down to the words of dialogue. It’s like the executives at the studio sat Chris Colfer down and said, “Hey bro, we know you can write, so why don’t you write a companion book to make us a little extra dough? You don’t even have to add anything new, just copy and paste the script and add still pictures.” So I can genuinely say that you won’t miss a thing if you skip the movie.
January 9, 2019
He aquí un descubrimiento muy interesante. Buscando algún libro escrito por un actor o músico para un reto, encontré este, escrito por Chris Colfer, actor de la serie Glee y cantante.
Lo escogí, principalmente, porque era corto y, además, parecía entretenido. Y ha sido muy buena elección de la que no me arrepiento.
Al principio puede parecer un libro más ambientado en el último curso del instituto enclavado en un pequeña ciudad norteamericana ficticia, llamada Clover, donde todos se conocen; con sus típicos y tópicos: animadoras, atletas descerebrados, marginales, góticos, profesorado desmotivado...
Pero realmente va más allá, ya que es una sátira sobre esa situación habitual y una crítica al sistema educativo.
Está narrado en forma de un diario que lleva el protagonista (Carson), cuyo sueño es poder entrar en una universidad de élite para cursar estudios de periodismo. Para aumentar sus posibilidades, es el director del diario escolar, preside el club de debate, el de escritura... pero no por ello se siente a gusto con sus compañeros, y viceversa, sus compañeros con él.
Además, su vida familiar tampoco le ayuda: sus padres están divorciados, vive con su madre, que no ha superado la separación, su abuela está en una residencia con Alzheimer,...
Todos sus anhelos, sus deseos, sus intenciones, los plasma en el diario, con una ironía fina y un gran sarcasmo.
Al escribir, se siente liberado por poder decir todo lo que piensa de sus compañeros, de su familia, resumiendo, de su vida.
Carson es muy sarcástico, y le lectura tiene diálogos muy elaborados, cuando explica las respuestas que ha dado a algún profesor en una clase o como se ha enfrentado a sus compañeros, llegando a arrancarme más de una sonrisa (no soy de reír a carcajadas!!), pero también, un poco deprimente en algunos momentos.
Resumiendo, me ha sorprendido muy gratamente y lo recomiendo.
Lo escogí, principalmente, porque era corto y, además, parecía entretenido. Y ha sido muy buena elección de la que no me arrepiento.
Al principio puede parecer un libro más ambientado en el último curso del instituto enclavado en un pequeña ciudad norteamericana ficticia, llamada Clover, donde todos se conocen; con sus típicos y tópicos: animadoras, atletas descerebrados, marginales, góticos, profesorado desmotivado...
Pero realmente va más allá, ya que es una sátira sobre esa situación habitual y una crítica al sistema educativo.
Está narrado en forma de un diario que lleva el protagonista (Carson), cuyo sueño es poder entrar en una universidad de élite para cursar estudios de periodismo. Para aumentar sus posibilidades, es el director del diario escolar, preside el club de debate, el de escritura... pero no por ello se siente a gusto con sus compañeros, y viceversa, sus compañeros con él.
Además, su vida familiar tampoco le ayuda: sus padres están divorciados, vive con su madre, que no ha superado la separación, su abuela está en una residencia con Alzheimer,...
Todos sus anhelos, sus deseos, sus intenciones, los plasma en el diario, con una ironía fina y un gran sarcasmo.
Al escribir, se siente liberado por poder decir todo lo que piensa de sus compañeros, de su familia, resumiendo, de su vida.
Carson es muy sarcástico, y le lectura tiene diálogos muy elaborados, cuando explica las respuestas que ha dado a algún profesor en una clase o como se ha enfrentado a sus compañeros, llegando a arrancarme más de una sonrisa (no soy de reír a carcajadas!!), pero también, un poco deprimente en algunos momentos.
Resumiendo, me ha sorprendido muy gratamente y lo recomiendo.
June 2, 2017
This was a lovely contemporary YA read, and it was actually a bit of a surprise coming from actor Chris Colfer!
Carson runs the school newspaper, finding stories to fill the pages by blackmailing his fellow students. He needs the paper to be a success in order to get his scholarship to college.
It's a coming of age story, that shows being ruthless isn't always the best approach when going after what you want, and that things never turn out the way you plan.
I was shocked by the ending, but it made for an interesting story, and separates it from all the standard high school books. Well worth a read!
Carson runs the school newspaper, finding stories to fill the pages by blackmailing his fellow students. He needs the paper to be a success in order to get his scholarship to college.
It's a coming of age story, that shows being ruthless isn't always the best approach when going after what you want, and that things never turn out the way you plan.
I was shocked by the ending, but it made for an interesting story, and separates it from all the standard high school books. Well worth a read!
July 17, 2018
Wait, what????
My heart hurts...literally hurts!
Ok, I'll just say, the book is awesome. Well written and thoughtful. Shows how teenagers grow and learn about themselves through their high school years. Shows a loving relationship with an older relative. Highlights what coming from a troubled and broken home can be like. Illustrates grandly how even the "best of the best" can be living with secrets and pain.
This is not a HEA book...don't expect the warm fuzzies at the end. I still recommend it, because it was beautiful for what it was.
My heart hurts...literally hurts!
Ok, I'll just say, the book is awesome. Well written and thoughtful. Shows how teenagers grow and learn about themselves through their high school years. Shows a loving relationship with an older relative. Highlights what coming from a troubled and broken home can be like. Illustrates grandly how even the "best of the best" can be living with secrets and pain.
This is not a HEA book...don't expect the warm fuzzies at the end. I still recommend it, because it was beautiful for what it was.
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