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Write Naked
Sixteen-year-old Victor, a thoughtful loner who tries to live his life “under the radar,” wants to test out the saying “You have to be naked to write.” When he sneaks off with an old Royal typewriter to his uncle’s cabin deep in the Vermont woods and strips off his clothes, he expects Thoreau-like solitude. What he gets is something else—both funny and, as his high school English teacher likes to say, “transformative.” For he discovers a face in the window watching him—Rose Anna, a homeschooled free spirit with an antique fountain pen and a passion to save the planet. Their unexpected encounter marks the beginning of an inspired writing partnership—and a relationship as timeless and eager as the Vermont woods in spring.
A strikingly original debut novel that introduces two storytellers with different kinds of tales: one—in Victor’s unforgettable voice—a quirky, contemporary love story; the other—by Rose Anna—an ecological fantasy featuring a tiny heroic newt. Together, the teens explore the possibility of connections – to one another, the woods outside, and the world beyond.
Write Naked is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
A strikingly original debut novel that introduces two storytellers with different kinds of tales: one—in Victor’s unforgettable voice—a quirky, contemporary love story; the other—by Rose Anna—an ecological fantasy featuring a tiny heroic newt. Together, the teens explore the possibility of connections – to one another, the woods outside, and the world beyond.
Write Naked is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2008
7 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Peter Gould
25 books5 followersPETER GOULD is a youth theater director, a physical comedy performer, and a playwright whose works have been performed all over the world. He lives in Brattleboro, Vermont.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 27, 2014
Peter Gould’s “Burnt Toast” was published in 1971. I found it by accident in the mid '70s in a used bookstore. I don't remember much about the book, though I do know it somehow left an urge in me to write. It spoke to me at a time I needed speaking to. I remember it was a magical “power vision” about a group of hippies living on a farm commune somewhere in Vermont. It reminds me of Richard Brautigan’s “In Watermelon Sugar,” which was published in 1968. Both stories combine elements of the rustic and ordinary within a surreal context.
But this is not a review of “Burnt Toast.” It’s a review of Gould’s second novel “Write Naked” published 37 years after “Burnt Toast.” Both books share the same setting, only at different times. To fully appreciate “Write Naked,” you should read “Burnt Toast.”
Sixteen-year-old Victor is a thoughtful loner who tries to live his life under the radar, as indicated by the fact that he never capitalizes his I’s. He discovers an old clunky Royal typewriter at a yard sale. He becomes obsessed with the typewriter, and the kind man selling it tells Victor he can have it, but he must write the story that’s in it. Victor and the man, a Vietnam vet, share some words about the war and the condition of the world today. Victor tend straps the typewrite on his bicycle and heads off to his uncle’s abandoned cabin deep in the Vermont woods. His Uncle Mo built the cabin after coming home Vietnam and lived there for a while. Then he met a woman and moved to Utah with her. Nobody ever went there except Victor.
While at the cabin, he decides to test the saying “You have to be naked to write” that he read in a book his mother had. By the way, this saying appears in “Burnt Toast” and Victor’s mother had once lived on a farm commune in Vermont. This establishes a connection between the two books.
He works up the courage to strip off his clothes and sits down at the typewriter expecting some sort of Thoreau-like solitude and a sudden inspiration to write the story that’s in the typewriter. Instead, he discovers a face in the window watching him—Rose Anna (the daughter of a hippie mother with a tragic past who also lived on a commune), a home-schooled free spirit with an antique fountain pen and magic ink from her grandmother. This unexpected encounter begins a writing partnership where each of them would meet and write their own story and let the other read it. However, there are rules put into place by the sassy Rose Anna. As the two endeavor to write their stories, they develop a relationship, exploring the possibility of connections to each other and the world outside the cabin and beyond.
The story culminates on the night of the Full Rose Moon when the two teenagers go to the cabin for the first time at night to experience some spiritual moment together.
“Write Naked” is a good book, but I have to say I enjoy “Burnt Toast” more, now that I’m reading it again and connecting the stories.
Read
December 30, 2012This book has Vermont written all over it. Writing naked definitely seems like something someone from Vermont would do. But who knows, maybe it actually helps the creative process or something.
My main problem with this book is the nudity itself. I'm not saying that as a prude or someone that is against nudity, but I'm talking about the way it is presented. The two main characters suddenly decide to be naked together. Being naked is very personal, and being naked with someone would require an intimacy that these people don't share. That does make me sound like a prude, but in a world of teenagers rampantly having sex and shooting babies out of their you-know-whats, this situation was presented as being too close to that. And I know that these characters didn't just like each other for their bodies, but at times it comes across as being that way. I appreciate the fact that the author made an attempt to make this book original but not too bizarre, and it worked. I didn't feel that much of a connection to the characters, so maybe that is why I feel their relationship didn't have enough meaning to it.
Rarely do you see contemporary fiction like this that is so unique, but the aspect of nudity took away from the love story being written. No, I'm not missing the point of the book, but I would have liked to see more character development, especially because they were becoming very intimate.
My main problem with this book is the nudity itself. I'm not saying that as a prude or someone that is against nudity, but I'm talking about the way it is presented. The two main characters suddenly decide to be naked together. Being naked is very personal, and being naked with someone would require an intimacy that these people don't share. That does make me sound like a prude, but in a world of teenagers rampantly having sex and shooting babies out of their you-know-whats, this situation was presented as being too close to that. And I know that these characters didn't just like each other for their bodies, but at times it comes across as being that way. I appreciate the fact that the author made an attempt to make this book original but not too bizarre, and it worked. I didn't feel that much of a connection to the characters, so maybe that is why I feel their relationship didn't have enough meaning to it.
Rarely do you see contemporary fiction like this that is so unique, but the aspect of nudity took away from the love story being written. No, I'm not missing the point of the book, but I would have liked to see more character development, especially because they were becoming very intimate.
April 1, 2015
When Victor finds an old typewriter at a yard sale, he has never even thought about being a writer - but he lugs the typewriter up to his uncle's cabin in the woods anyway. He isn't sure what to write about, until he reads a book that says you have to "write naked." So that's what Victor does, until he looks up and there's a girl watching him through the window.
I can't remember who recommended this book to me. It was less about writing and more about Victor and the girl (Rose Anna) finding themselves through their writing. The whole book is supposed to be what Victor's been typing the whole time, and includes excerpts from Rose Anna's story and writing. I wasn't a fan of her story, which was about newts and totem animals but basically a big transparent metaphor for her life. I thought it was interesting how she presented a different point of view and challenged Victor a bit. I only wish this was more about the craft of writing or that writing and becoming a writer was more of the focus of the story.
I can't remember who recommended this book to me. It was less about writing and more about Victor and the girl (Rose Anna) finding themselves through their writing. The whole book is supposed to be what Victor's been typing the whole time, and includes excerpts from Rose Anna's story and writing. I wasn't a fan of her story, which was about newts and totem animals but basically a big transparent metaphor for her life. I thought it was interesting how she presented a different point of view and challenged Victor a bit. I only wish this was more about the craft of writing or that writing and becoming a writer was more of the focus of the story.
September 26, 2008
This was a magical yet realistic journey into the world of teenagers who just have to write and be heard(even if they think they need to stay under the radar). Victor finds a very old typewriter at a yard sale that he just happens by. The owner let's him take it for free telling him "there's a story in there". Victor hauls the heavy machine on his bike and eventually up to "his" cabin in the woods. His mother used to live on a commune and in one of her books there's a picture of a naked man and it says "You have to be naked to write". Victor decides the only way to find out if this is true or not, is to write naked. A girl happens upon him while he is writing and they end up friends. This story holds a very New England feeling and anyone who grew up here can really picture the woods and atmosphere. This is a great read for teens who are a little different and want something better than all the mainstream crap.
July 23, 2012
Read this one a few years ago before I got my ereader and was going to the library for piles of print books every few weeks. I wasn't too impressed with the start but it grew on me and now I still remember it even after more than three years. Victor, I really understood, an introverted teen growing up in a small town wanting to be a writer with an old fashioned typewriter are all things I went through as a teen myself. Save that he's male, I'm female and the closest thing to writing while undressed on my grandma's old electric typewriter was when I was working on a short story on Saturday afternoon and I hadn't gotten out of my nightgown from the night before yet. I picked this up due to the intriguing title and summary. I really did like it but I am aware that its one of those books that's just not everyone's cup of tea.
~Ami
~Ami
July 30, 2008
Currently reading but it's very captivating. Obviously, the title hooks you. He's very poignant and imaginative. It's hard to put down!!!
Finished 7/29
THe story is really neat. It's a good Y.A. read. The inner story has a good message about the world today. It's neat to imagine that young people still care about our nation's history and the war mistakes we've made (and are making.) Victor is very free-spirited and honest. Again, you don't see much of that these days. It was...a good read!
Finished 7/29
THe story is really neat. It's a good Y.A. read. The inner story has a good message about the world today. It's neat to imagine that young people still care about our nation's history and the war mistakes we've made (and are making.) Victor is very free-spirited and honest. Again, you don't see much of that these days. It was...a good read!
May 31, 2010
This book was strange as the title might suggest. They didn't write naked often and I don't understand why you would write naked to begin with. The plot was predictable, I mean common certain things are bound to happen when you have a boy in a log cabin writing naked. The little story within the story was quite annoying to read because the writing level wasn't that high and I am not particurarily fond of talking salamanders. The book didn't live up to any of my expectations and I'm kind of sad that I read it. But it was ok, well written at least.
May 2, 2009
I read this book because of the HPA book club, and it was not what I expected at all. It felt like the book was more a set of morals that were tied together with the plot - which I thought was an interesting and effective technique.
I had a little bit of trouble following the different stories at some points, but overall it was a great book and one that I'm really interested to discuss with others (I think the discussion may be more interesting than the book on its own).
I had a little bit of trouble following the different stories at some points, but overall it was a great book and one that I'm really interested to discuss with others (I think the discussion may be more interesting than the book on its own).
March 18, 2010
This book was good, I mean really good, until the girl comes in, then I don't like it. Usually I like little romances in the stories I read, but this one would have been much more beautiful without one.
August 11, 2009
This was an easy read. I really liked the voice of the narrator, but found the story-within-the-story a bit tedious at times.
November 11, 2009
Read for VSBA Committee, not very impressed.
January 10, 2010
This was a really weird book that didn't have a point , atleast that I could see . Not a book I would recommend to anyone .
December 25, 2012
Elegantly told story.
November 27, 2021
Write Naked. That's a piece of advice I first encountered in the 1970s in Peter Gould's novel, Burnt Toast. While I have loved that book over the years and reread it several times in the half-century since the book's publication, I have never taken that advice literally. But the metaphor stuck with me: be honest with your reader, put yourself out there, get the little details right so the reader can really see the scene. We clothe the world in words, but those best words are written naked.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm typing these words fully clothed, bundled. It's November in northern Wisconsin and the heating bill doesn't pay itself. So Christine and I keep the thermostat set at 62 degrees and wear long underwear and fleece and slippers and wear warm hats even indoors to keep our ears warm. Get the picture? Good, maybe I did it right. Underneath all these clothes I'm naked as a newborn. You don't need to picture that, OK?
Well, that was certainly a digression. I started out typing this thinking that it was going to be a review of Peter Gould's 2008 novel, Write Naked. But that's how things go when you start typing on a real typewriter. A story comes out that is not quite the words that you expected, but they're out there now, naked on the paper so you might as well keep going. We'll get somewhere eventually. We are already half a page in.
Write Naked is a novel, not a how-to manual (but in a way it is!) It's the story of a sixteen-year-old boy named Victor who is given an old Royal typewriter and Rose Anna, also sixteen-years-old who has a vintage fountain pen. They both have stories to tell and are figuring out how to tell them. They both know about an old cabin in the woods in Vermont, they both have been raised by parents who once lived in the communes of 1960s and 1970s Vermont. And they both read a book once that advised them to write naked.
The cover of Write Naked says that it's written by Peter Gould, but the wonder of this book is that it really feels as if it has been written by Victor and Rose Anna. Their voices and thoughts are confused, awkward, sassy, hesitant one moment, confident the next, wondering, doubtful, and always worth listening to.
Write Naked is a special book, special in the way people are special. Just as we connect strongly with some folks and not with others, I am sure hat there are folks who will not love this book as I did and say that Victor and Rose Anna's voices don't ring true, that "kids these days don't talk or think that way". And while I'm sure that may be true of some kids, we are all, as Buckminster Fuller noted "experiments of one". The mass of kids may, in fact, to paraphrase Thoreau, "live lives of quiet desperation" but I think some naked truths are still true, that there are still kids, many kids, like Victor and Rose Anna, who are oddballs, with old pens and typewriters or ideas that they hold as fiercely today as we did when we were young. I believe in Rose Anna and Victor and I belive the kids are alright.
Write Naked is a "young adult" novel, whatever the hell that means. This 62-year-old young adult loved it and loved these kids. They give me hope for the future, for my kids and grandkids.
If you know an awkward teenager (or adult or anyone for that matter) that is worried that they don't fit in, I have a gift suggestion for you. Give them a copy of Write Naked and an old typewriter or an old-fashioned pen. The world is waiting for their stories.
Kent Peterson, Superior WI USA
In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm typing these words fully clothed, bundled. It's November in northern Wisconsin and the heating bill doesn't pay itself. So Christine and I keep the thermostat set at 62 degrees and wear long underwear and fleece and slippers and wear warm hats even indoors to keep our ears warm. Get the picture? Good, maybe I did it right. Underneath all these clothes I'm naked as a newborn. You don't need to picture that, OK?
Well, that was certainly a digression. I started out typing this thinking that it was going to be a review of Peter Gould's 2008 novel, Write Naked. But that's how things go when you start typing on a real typewriter. A story comes out that is not quite the words that you expected, but they're out there now, naked on the paper so you might as well keep going. We'll get somewhere eventually. We are already half a page in.
Write Naked is a novel, not a how-to manual (but in a way it is!) It's the story of a sixteen-year-old boy named Victor who is given an old Royal typewriter and Rose Anna, also sixteen-years-old who has a vintage fountain pen. They both have stories to tell and are figuring out how to tell them. They both know about an old cabin in the woods in Vermont, they both have been raised by parents who once lived in the communes of 1960s and 1970s Vermont. And they both read a book once that advised them to write naked.
The cover of Write Naked says that it's written by Peter Gould, but the wonder of this book is that it really feels as if it has been written by Victor and Rose Anna. Their voices and thoughts are confused, awkward, sassy, hesitant one moment, confident the next, wondering, doubtful, and always worth listening to.
Write Naked is a special book, special in the way people are special. Just as we connect strongly with some folks and not with others, I am sure hat there are folks who will not love this book as I did and say that Victor and Rose Anna's voices don't ring true, that "kids these days don't talk or think that way". And while I'm sure that may be true of some kids, we are all, as Buckminster Fuller noted "experiments of one". The mass of kids may, in fact, to paraphrase Thoreau, "live lives of quiet desperation" but I think some naked truths are still true, that there are still kids, many kids, like Victor and Rose Anna, who are oddballs, with old pens and typewriters or ideas that they hold as fiercely today as we did when we were young. I believe in Rose Anna and Victor and I belive the kids are alright.
Write Naked is a "young adult" novel, whatever the hell that means. This 62-year-old young adult loved it and loved these kids. They give me hope for the future, for my kids and grandkids.
If you know an awkward teenager (or adult or anyone for that matter) that is worried that they don't fit in, I have a gift suggestion for you. Give them a copy of Write Naked and an old typewriter or an old-fashioned pen. The world is waiting for their stories.
Kent Peterson, Superior WI USA
May 18, 2017
I really loved the first third of this story. But the last two thirds, while still quite good, didn't strike the same chord. I couldn't get into the fantasy story or Rose Anna's perspective the same way I did Victor's introspective voice. But that being said, I still quite enjoyed this book. It was pretentious, but still sweet and innocent. I adored the descriptions and the writing style. It was almost reminiscent of Written on the Body, which I also loved.
This is a book that I can see a lot of people being annoyed by, but I'd still recommend anyone at least give it a chance. I feel like this is a book that deserves to be read. I found it quite wonderful, despite its flaws.
This is a book that I can see a lot of people being annoyed by, but I'd still recommend anyone at least give it a chance. I feel like this is a book that deserves to be read. I found it quite wonderful, despite its flaws.
June 20, 2024
A very intelligent book that feels like it gets inside the mind of a teenager. Great details about life in rural Vermont provide the backdrop for this thoughtful YA novel that delves into much more than just first love. There is also generational climate angst, deep knowledge of the forest, and profound family emotional struggles.
June 5, 2017
I 100% loved this book! I completely connected to each character and to each story. I loved how the book incorporated underlying issues about the environment and society. Amazing! I can't wait to find more work by Peter Gould.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2022
really sweet.
August 20, 2022
Book lacked overall message or moral. It also lacked individual excitement throughout the book.
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September 26, 2022It’s an absolutely wonderful book !!! I loved it !!!
I took forever reading it not because of it lacking ,just busy with multi things.
I recommend it all the way!
I took forever reading it not because of it lacking ,just busy with multi things.
I recommend it all the way!
September 2, 2016
Actually 4.5...I think. Maybe somewhere between 4 and 4.5.
Okaaaaaaaaaaay.
This has probably got to be the hardest book to rate or review yet.
Because on one hand? I was really wary about this book. And reading it, there were definitely some things I did not agree with. (Global warming-enviro-crazy stuff for one, wacky religion-y things for another...And there was also some, well...you know. Sans-clothing moments.)
But on the other hand? There were typewriters and fountain pens, woods and thinking, and even a HOMESCHOOLER! Y'all, do you know when the last time I read a book with a homeschooler in it was? (I hope not, because I can't even remember. A while ago.)
...Okay, so yes, she was a creepy environmentalist homeschooler, just like the other one I read years ago was, but still.
One thing I do these days is fold down a page every time there's something on it that resonated with me, that I want to write down as a quote later. And by the end of this one, I had seven pages folded down. That's about how many I had from United We Spy and we all know how much I loved that one. So that's got to tell you something.
Also, I loved this narrator from the first page. He's not your ordinary guy. We get that right away. He starts telling us the story of how he ended up with this ancient typewriter and it's hilarious. I was snorting to myself with laughter. The old Vietnam war veteran who unloads it on Victor (main character) tells him, "...That's why I kept it around. Got a big story stuck in there, but I can't get it out. I'm too old."
He's quite the old guy, that's for sure.
Anyway, so Victor takes this huge heavy old typewriter home and tries to figure out what to do with it. He gets the idea to take it to his uncle's old abandoned cabin up in the woods, and that's that. He even tells the typewriter "it's the end of the line, buddy."
Then of course he goes and gets an idea from his former hippie mom's old book. Writing...ahem...naked. He's wondering what that means. Literal or no? So he shrugs and tries literal. He observes to us, "Have you ever been writing something when you just forgot where you were, and what time it was, and you kept diving down deeper into yours words? No, it's more like diving down through your words--past them, and way further down into someplace else. In fact, it doesn't matter whether you're literally naked or not, since the next thing is, you leave your body totally behind and just go off into your mind. A whole other part of your mind."
Right here I was saying, "YESSSSS." That is indeed what it feels like when I'm writing and I've hit on something, I can tell, and the words just spill out.
And so continues the story. Victor meets the homeschooler, the girl, Rose Anna. Quite the girl. Wait, I keep saying that...I guess all the characters were rather quirky. No wonder the book was so weird. Anyway, the two start to write together up at that cabin. Not saying anything. She sits there with her inherited fountain pen and trusty dog Dash, and he with his ROYAL typewriter. And when they finish writing for the day, they exchange their work and read the other person's. No comments allowed. Just reading.
Poor Victor sometimes hates that rule.
"Again, i was held back by the deal we made. i really wanted to talk about what Rose Anna had just written. But i needed to show her that i could keep my word, so i just looked up and said nothing.
'Keep my word' is such a strange expression. At first glance, it just means 'Be true to what you agreed on.' But it could also mean, 'Hold your words back.' Keep them in. Let your actions speak instead."
(Yes, he refers to himself with a little "i".) Isn't that just profound? There's a lot of that in this book. So much. And I guess that's the main reason this book got as high of a rating for me as it did. Somehow, despite everything I shook my head at, the story swept me along and made me think, and I love books that make me think.
This book is the story of a boy and a girl's journey. To learn about themselves, to question the world, and to trust someone else...to heal grief and guilt from far in the past. To see the world differently, like all writers learn.
I'll end with that quote. Victor's back visiting the Vietnam war man, who's asking him how that typewriter thing is coming.
"'Has it taught you to look at things different?' he asked.
i thought, How does he know about all that? But i didn't have to ask him, because he just nodded toward his house.
'I bounce around them four walls a lot, Victor. I write some letters, I keep in touch with people. Putting your thoughts on paper, it makes you stop and notice stuff. Kind of slows you down.'"
I don't know about you, but I think we all could benefit from a little slowing down and seeing things differently these days.
Okaaaaaaaaaaay.
This has probably got to be the hardest book to rate or review yet.
Because on one hand? I was really wary about this book. And reading it, there were definitely some things I did not agree with. (Global warming-enviro-crazy stuff for one, wacky religion-y things for another...And there was also some, well...you know. Sans-clothing moments.)
But on the other hand? There were typewriters and fountain pens, woods and thinking, and even a HOMESCHOOLER! Y'all, do you know when the last time I read a book with a homeschooler in it was? (I hope not, because I can't even remember. A while ago.)
...Okay, so yes, she was a creepy environmentalist homeschooler, just like the other one I read years ago was, but still.
One thing I do these days is fold down a page every time there's something on it that resonated with me, that I want to write down as a quote later. And by the end of this one, I had seven pages folded down. That's about how many I had from United We Spy and we all know how much I loved that one. So that's got to tell you something.
Also, I loved this narrator from the first page. He's not your ordinary guy. We get that right away. He starts telling us the story of how he ended up with this ancient typewriter and it's hilarious. I was snorting to myself with laughter. The old Vietnam war veteran who unloads it on Victor (main character) tells him, "...That's why I kept it around. Got a big story stuck in there, but I can't get it out. I'm too old."
He's quite the old guy, that's for sure.
Anyway, so Victor takes this huge heavy old typewriter home and tries to figure out what to do with it. He gets the idea to take it to his uncle's old abandoned cabin up in the woods, and that's that. He even tells the typewriter "it's the end of the line, buddy."
Then of course he goes and gets an idea from his former hippie mom's old book. Writing...ahem...naked. He's wondering what that means. Literal or no? So he shrugs and tries literal. He observes to us, "Have you ever been writing something when you just forgot where you were, and what time it was, and you kept diving down deeper into yours words? No, it's more like diving down through your words--past them, and way further down into someplace else. In fact, it doesn't matter whether you're literally naked or not, since the next thing is, you leave your body totally behind and just go off into your mind. A whole other part of your mind."
Right here I was saying, "YESSSSS." That is indeed what it feels like when I'm writing and I've hit on something, I can tell, and the words just spill out.
And so continues the story. Victor meets the homeschooler, the girl, Rose Anna. Quite the girl. Wait, I keep saying that...I guess all the characters were rather quirky. No wonder the book was so weird. Anyway, the two start to write together up at that cabin. Not saying anything. She sits there with her inherited fountain pen and trusty dog Dash, and he with his ROYAL typewriter. And when they finish writing for the day, they exchange their work and read the other person's. No comments allowed. Just reading.
Poor Victor sometimes hates that rule.
"Again, i was held back by the deal we made. i really wanted to talk about what Rose Anna had just written. But i needed to show her that i could keep my word, so i just looked up and said nothing.
'Keep my word' is such a strange expression. At first glance, it just means 'Be true to what you agreed on.' But it could also mean, 'Hold your words back.' Keep them in. Let your actions speak instead."
(Yes, he refers to himself with a little "i".) Isn't that just profound? There's a lot of that in this book. So much. And I guess that's the main reason this book got as high of a rating for me as it did. Somehow, despite everything I shook my head at, the story swept me along and made me think, and I love books that make me think.
This book is the story of a boy and a girl's journey. To learn about themselves, to question the world, and to trust someone else...to heal grief and guilt from far in the past. To see the world differently, like all writers learn.
I'll end with that quote. Victor's back visiting the Vietnam war man, who's asking him how that typewriter thing is coming.
"'Has it taught you to look at things different?' he asked.
i thought, How does he know about all that? But i didn't have to ask him, because he just nodded toward his house.
'I bounce around them four walls a lot, Victor. I write some letters, I keep in touch with people. Putting your thoughts on paper, it makes you stop and notice stuff. Kind of slows you down.'"
I don't know about you, but I think we all could benefit from a little slowing down and seeing things differently these days.
May 12, 2009
Write Naked was just about that - writing naked. Victor's parents, the hippies, once lived in a commune and had several books to prove it. One of them pictured a man, totally nude, with a caption on it: You have to be naked to write. What that means, Victor doesn't know. Does it mean baring your soul in your writing? Or does it mean that you literally have to be naked to write?
After receiving an ancient ROYAL typewriter, Victor lugs it up to his Uncle's cabin in the deep woods. Hoping for privacy. Hoping to be "under the radar" (which is the reason that he annoyingly types with a lowercase "i" throughout the whole book). He can hope all he wants, but that doesn't change the fact that someone caught him in the cabin . . . someone caught him writing naked in the cabin. This someone was Rose Anna, the "homeschooled free spirit with an antique fountain pen and a passion to save the planet."
So there's your story. It's easily predicted that they eventually do write naked together. Overall, Write Naked isn't overbearing or boring, but it lacks an interesting plot.
After receiving an ancient ROYAL typewriter, Victor lugs it up to his Uncle's cabin in the deep woods. Hoping for privacy. Hoping to be "under the radar" (which is the reason that he annoyingly types with a lowercase "i" throughout the whole book). He can hope all he wants, but that doesn't change the fact that someone caught him in the cabin . . . someone caught him writing naked in the cabin. This someone was Rose Anna, the "homeschooled free spirit with an antique fountain pen and a passion to save the planet."
So there's your story. It's easily predicted that they eventually do write naked together. Overall, Write Naked isn't overbearing or boring, but it lacks an interesting plot.
November 11, 2012
Reviewed by Angie Fisher for TeensReadToo.com
In a world full of technology, Victor is elated when he finds an old Royal typewriter at a garage sale. Doesn't matter that he isn't a writer.
Not one to hang out much with friends, Victor comes across an old book while going through items from his mom's hippie community living days. It recommends one write naked in order to find the "story within."
He figures he has nothing to lose...until he looks out the window to find he's being spied on. By a girl.
Full of voice and innocence, WRITE NAKED takes the reader on Victor's journey of self-discovery of a world he didn't realize existed, until he allows himself to stop and pay a bit more attention.
While I found myself annoyingly patronized by the theme of global warming and the "world-coming-to-an-end" lecture, I did enjoy the voices and the bonding of the two main characters.
In a world full of technology, Victor is elated when he finds an old Royal typewriter at a garage sale. Doesn't matter that he isn't a writer.
Not one to hang out much with friends, Victor comes across an old book while going through items from his mom's hippie community living days. It recommends one write naked in order to find the "story within."
He figures he has nothing to lose...until he looks out the window to find he's being spied on. By a girl.
Full of voice and innocence, WRITE NAKED takes the reader on Victor's journey of self-discovery of a world he didn't realize existed, until he allows himself to stop and pay a bit more attention.
While I found myself annoyingly patronized by the theme of global warming and the "world-coming-to-an-end" lecture, I did enjoy the voices and the bonding of the two main characters.
September 2, 2008
I only picked up this book off the display at the library because it reminded me of a memorable moment at a writing group. However, it was actually a really fun read. I wasn't expecting the book to be that great because it was a book about people who are writing. This is usually a really bad idea. However, I found the voices of the main characters refreshing and familiar.
A few things might bother readers, such as the main character never capitalized his 'i' and Rose Anna is a huge tree hugger/hippie/freak. Strangely, none of this bothered me though usually it would.
I gave the book 3 stars because I was pleasantly surprised at how enthralled I was. I also gave it only three stars because the ending stinks. Really. Oh, and I really don't care for the newts myself. Give it a try if you're looking for something light.
A few things might bother readers, such as the main character never capitalized his 'i' and Rose Anna is a huge tree hugger/hippie/freak. Strangely, none of this bothered me though usually it would.
I gave the book 3 stars because I was pleasantly surprised at how enthralled I was. I also gave it only three stars because the ending stinks. Really. Oh, and I really don't care for the newts myself. Give it a try if you're looking for something light.
January 29, 2009
In a world full of technology, Victor is elated when he finds an old Royal typewriter at a garage sale. Doesn’t matter that he isn’t a writer. Not one to hang out much with friends, Victor comes across an old book while going through his from his mom’s hippie community living days. It recommends one write naked in order to find the, “story within.” He figures he has nothing to lose…until he looks out the window to find he’s being spied on. By a girl.
Full of voice and innocence, Write Naked takes the reader on Victor’s journey of self-discovery of a world he didn’t realize existed, until he allows himself to stop and pay a bit more attention.
While I found myself annoyingly patronized by the theme of global warming and world-coming-to-an-end lecture, I did enjoy the voices and the bonding the two main characters.
May 31, 2011
This book is really more of a 3.5 stars, but I decided to push it down rather than up.
What I enjoyed about this book is the idea of writing and getting it all out there and really being true to one's self. I can relate to that as someone who wants to write. Victor and Rose Anna were definitely really well defined characters and I can picture them and they seem very real. It was also fun to read a book that takes place around where I'm currently living and starting to understand the sort of Vermonty inside jokes.
I guess the reason for the lower rating is mostly because it didn't grip me or thrill me. I don't think it's meant to, but I still feel that my rating is accurate to the amount of enjoyment I got out of it. A nice quick read for when one is in the mood for teenagers waxing philosophical.
What I enjoyed about this book is the idea of writing and getting it all out there and really being true to one's self. I can relate to that as someone who wants to write. Victor and Rose Anna were definitely really well defined characters and I can picture them and they seem very real. It was also fun to read a book that takes place around where I'm currently living and starting to understand the sort of Vermonty inside jokes.
I guess the reason for the lower rating is mostly because it didn't grip me or thrill me. I don't think it's meant to, but I still feel that my rating is accurate to the amount of enjoyment I got out of it. A nice quick read for when one is in the mood for teenagers waxing philosophical.
July 1, 2010
I didn't get it. The book was 'interesting' at best. It was also very confusing, the plot skipped all over, and the characters weren't built, especially Rose Anna. She just jumps into the story and starts writing a very VERY weird story about newts, which is supposed to symbolize have hidden meanings, but made a jumble of words instead. She is described as some wiccan, tree hugging, political 16 year old girl, and it gets old fast. I DID like Victor and his story. I think the book would have been great if they left Rose Anna's newt story out and told more about her life and them as a couple.
June 15, 2015
Victor can't resist picking up an old typewriter he passes one day. Deciding to write something, he takes the typewriter to his uncle's empty cabin in the woods to be alone and think. He reads somewhere you have to be naked to write well, so he strips off his clothes.
And gets the shock of his life when he see Rose Anna staring at him through the window. Together, they decide to write their own stories and share them. They grow closer together as their stories move towards an ending.
Not action-packed, but an enjoyable story about nature and being one one's own. Even when there's someone right across the table.
And gets the shock of his life when he see Rose Anna staring at him through the window. Together, they decide to write their own stories and share them. They grow closer together as their stories move towards an ending.
Not action-packed, but an enjoyable story about nature and being one one's own. Even when there's someone right across the table.
September 1, 2010
Despite its heavy-handedness, I really dug this book. The protagonist was so real, so sweet, so adorably goofy that I couldn't help loving him. The love interest was less real, but still believable- from Victor's point of view. There were passages near the end that took my breath away and made me remember falling in love, falling through space, at 16. The message of the book was delivered with a baseball bat, but since it's a message I can get behind, I didn't mind so much. Preachiness about conservation or war rarely rubs me the wrong way.
Recommended for all my hippie friends.
Recommended for all my hippie friends.
January 18, 2014
This book started off with an interesting premise and a likeable protagonist. After receiving an old typewriter, Victor decides to go "off the radar" and get away from technology and society by going up to an old cabin in the woods and writing on the typewriter. It gives him a new perspective on life, writing, and the world. The first half of the book is great, but when a girl Rose Anna, a homeschooled gypsy-like girl who literally writes naked enters the picture, it quickly devolves into teen romance and loses the magic it promised.
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