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Pretty Little Dirty
Lisa sees the life of her gorgeous best friend Celeste as just about perfect: she has a gigantic house, two older sisters to coach her through the hazards of high school, and loving, lively parents. As Lisa's own home has long been a place devoid of joyful noise—her mother has shut herself off in her bedroom for years—Lisa joins the Diamond household, slipping into their routine of sit-down suppers and soaking in the delicious normalcy of Diamond family life. But what begins as the story of two young women living a charmed adolescence, one of mastering dance moves and the protocols of male-female interaction, soon swirls into an intoxicating novel of art, music, and self-destructive impulses as Lisa and Celeste dare each other ever onward.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
12 people are currently reading
969 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Boyden
3 books40 followersAmanda Boyden grew up, the eldest of three daughters, in Chicago and St. Louis. Currently she teaches in the English department of the University of New Orleans. Previous positions include elderly companion, artist’s model, gutter cleaner, dishwasher, science lab assistant, cancan dancer, tutor, stuntwoman, and bit part actress. Until recently, Amanda worked as a contortionist and professional trapeze artist. She proudly lists hanging high over the heads of Galactic and 311 in her life accomplishments.
Her first novel, Pretty Little Dirty was published in 2006.
Her first novel, Pretty Little Dirty was published in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
January 13, 2010
lost potential is a bitter pill for me to swallow (when i start falling in love with a book i really resist falling out of love with it) but, alas, lost potential is exactly the situation of "pretty little dirty" -- a tale of two best friends growing up in kansas city during the late 70's and 80's. their dynamic together is endearing -- one friend (celeste) is a kind-hearted beauty while the other friend (lisa, also the narrator) is a witty adventure-seeker. both girls have issues at home and they quickly become family to each other.
"pretty little dirty" has such a strong beginning. boyden's pages are filled with strikingly beautiful and intricately detailed memories of celeste & lisa's childhood. although i don't know this as a fact, i can only assume boyden has a background in poetry -- her writing breathes like a poem. since the novel begins when celeste & lisa are twelve, i expected "pretty little dirty" to be a brilliant coming of age novel.
however, boyden's early virtues in expression become her vice as the book progresses. instead of exerting restraint over her flowery picture of youthful friendship, boyden succumbs to it. by the time c&l hit 16, i began to feel i was reading a romance novel. at the end of one chapter i even laughed out loud at the ridiculous scene before me (involving side-by-side, earth-shattering sex with older artists in the statue garden of the nelson). in addition, lisa's reverent obsession with celeste's physical beauty -- at first interestingly homoerotic -- becomes tiresome as the novel progresses. you almost feel bad for celeste, and want to yell at lisa, "hey! she's more than a pretty face!"
in addition, there are these very, very odd one-page narratives between each chapter that i still cannot figure out. this sections are filled with angry language and references to drugs, sexual promiscuity, and physical violence. but they are so abstract, i am not sure if they are supposed to be the thoughts of lisa or celeste. if someone with a degree in literary analysis can't figure out what is going on, boyden is trying too hard.
in short, this novel loses the gritty energy and lovely cadence of its early chapters, and half-way through you are forced to accept (sadly) that boyden has fallen in love with the sound of her own words rather than the mastery of her art.
"pretty little dirty" has such a strong beginning. boyden's pages are filled with strikingly beautiful and intricately detailed memories of celeste & lisa's childhood. although i don't know this as a fact, i can only assume boyden has a background in poetry -- her writing breathes like a poem. since the novel begins when celeste & lisa are twelve, i expected "pretty little dirty" to be a brilliant coming of age novel.
however, boyden's early virtues in expression become her vice as the book progresses. instead of exerting restraint over her flowery picture of youthful friendship, boyden succumbs to it. by the time c&l hit 16, i began to feel i was reading a romance novel. at the end of one chapter i even laughed out loud at the ridiculous scene before me (involving side-by-side, earth-shattering sex with older artists in the statue garden of the nelson). in addition, lisa's reverent obsession with celeste's physical beauty -- at first interestingly homoerotic -- becomes tiresome as the novel progresses. you almost feel bad for celeste, and want to yell at lisa, "hey! she's more than a pretty face!"
in addition, there are these very, very odd one-page narratives between each chapter that i still cannot figure out. this sections are filled with angry language and references to drugs, sexual promiscuity, and physical violence. but they are so abstract, i am not sure if they are supposed to be the thoughts of lisa or celeste. if someone with a degree in literary analysis can't figure out what is going on, boyden is trying too hard.
in short, this novel loses the gritty energy and lovely cadence of its early chapters, and half-way through you are forced to accept (sadly) that boyden has fallen in love with the sound of her own words rather than the mastery of her art.
February 16, 2017
Ugh. Wasted time. Wasted trees.
This book made me turn my back on a 'reading rule' that I set upon myself: "Once you start a book, FINISH IT".
I didn't. I had stopped and started this book about three times, and well, I'm official done. This time I got further, but I stopped mid-way in and thought, "Life is too dang short for me to abuse myself by reading this crap any longer."
See, I always try to be a good little reader so I can give a real objective review without someone rattling to me: "But you didn't finish the book! How do you know if it got better?!"
Well, I did another no-no...I skipped ahead. I found out the conclusion and well, I'm SO glad that I didn't waste anymore time.
Amanda Boyden, I'll admit, sets everything up grandly. Lisa and Celeste are two BFF!!!! growing up fast in Kansas City who have a love for art, music, and of course boys. Celeste is the beautiful and popular one of the two. She wears all the right stuff, says all the right things---EVERYTHING goes her way (nauseatingly so)---and Lisa worships her to the point where it goes beyond friendship and is just sickening. As the girls get older, they become even more reckless and uncontrollable, and like the book itself, it all goes downhill.
It's not that I'm a prude. I've read some graphic/violent stories before and gotten squirmed out of my comfort zone wonderfully, but this book just dived into the unthinkable, the implausible. There are probably tons of girls who were brought up like Lisa and Celeste---rich, bratty, privileged, parents who turn a blind eye---but this book just kept getting more ridiculous as the pages turned. Reading this I felt like I was fucking Amish. I also began to feel that I did high school all wrong as well as college. I also began to feel that I must have had the meanest, strictest father in the world because half of the crap Lisa and Celeste dove into right BEFORE the parents eyes, my father would have literally kill me, brought me back to life, and then killed me again for, with my mother right there next in line. I should say that there were some comic relief embedded in around the parts where the girls get their 'carnal knowledge' on. The sex scenes were pure ridiculousness, just laughable and fantasy ridden. I had to check to make sure I wasn't reading some shitty fan fiction because it was just too out there. Then again, I must be meeting the wrong guys and totally missed the boat when it comes to Midwest guys from the early 80's, because these guys that Lisa and Celeste hooked up with were just... I've meet some sleezeballs, I even had a sleezeball for a prom date, but Boyden painted ALL these guys like raconteur Adonis' that it was just pure insanity reading it.
Boyden does create the setting, the characters, and the environment extremely well, which was why I was glued from the beginning to about mid-way in, but what a way to throw it all that was great and gritty into the crapper and call it 'fiction'.
This book made me turn my back on a 'reading rule' that I set upon myself: "Once you start a book, FINISH IT".
I didn't. I had stopped and started this book about three times, and well, I'm official done. This time I got further, but I stopped mid-way in and thought, "Life is too dang short for me to abuse myself by reading this crap any longer."
See, I always try to be a good little reader so I can give a real objective review without someone rattling to me: "But you didn't finish the book! How do you know if it got better?!"
Well, I did another no-no...I skipped ahead. I found out the conclusion and well, I'm SO glad that I didn't waste anymore time.
Amanda Boyden, I'll admit, sets everything up grandly. Lisa and Celeste are two BFF!!!! growing up fast in Kansas City who have a love for art, music, and of course boys. Celeste is the beautiful and popular one of the two. She wears all the right stuff, says all the right things---EVERYTHING goes her way (nauseatingly so)---and Lisa worships her to the point where it goes beyond friendship and is just sickening. As the girls get older, they become even more reckless and uncontrollable, and like the book itself, it all goes downhill.
It's not that I'm a prude. I've read some graphic/violent stories before and gotten squirmed out of my comfort zone wonderfully, but this book just dived into the unthinkable, the implausible. There are probably tons of girls who were brought up like Lisa and Celeste---rich, bratty, privileged, parents who turn a blind eye---but this book just kept getting more ridiculous as the pages turned. Reading this I felt like I was fucking Amish. I also began to feel that I did high school all wrong as well as college. I also began to feel that I must have had the meanest, strictest father in the world because half of the crap Lisa and Celeste dove into right BEFORE the parents eyes, my father would have literally kill me, brought me back to life, and then killed me again for, with my mother right there next in line. I should say that there were some comic relief embedded in around the parts where the girls get their 'carnal knowledge' on. The sex scenes were pure ridiculousness, just laughable and fantasy ridden. I had to check to make sure I wasn't reading some shitty fan fiction because it was just too out there. Then again, I must be meeting the wrong guys and totally missed the boat when it comes to Midwest guys from the early 80's, because these guys that Lisa and Celeste hooked up with were just... I've meet some sleezeballs, I even had a sleezeball for a prom date, but Boyden painted ALL these guys like raconteur Adonis' that it was just pure insanity reading it.
Boyden does create the setting, the characters, and the environment extremely well, which was why I was glued from the beginning to about mid-way in, but what a way to throw it all that was great and gritty into the crapper and call it 'fiction'.
June 17, 2007
Or best friends for life on speed and punk rock. This sums up Pretty Little Dirty by Amanda Boyden. Taglines of a novel that falls short in the way of genius, but is at least entertaining.
Boyden’s main character, Lisa, is self-loathing, short tempered and short-sighted. She worships her best friend—which I can understand being prone to best friend worship myself—but fails to recognize the love she receives back. It is an error in perception that she also inflicts upon her mentally ill mother. She lacks empathy. And in return I lack empathy for her.
I picked up the book because I liked the title and it looked edgy. It did fulfill that expectation. Boyden provides a raw description of two girls taking the hard road from suburbia to underground.
There are a few places where the story falls short for me. She spends a lot of time describing the early years of their “charmed” existence and abruptly drops us in the decent. Also, Boyden uses interesting flashbacks of concerts as a thread through the story but the transitions are rough and it didn’t gel until the end.
However, there were moments of crystalline clarity where Boyden’s writing style came through:
Heroin makes you sick the first try. Cigarette smoking too if you’re lucky. But if you’re not lucky and you develop a taste, if you’re one who senses that cocaine gets better with time, or you’re one who jumps out of a plane and becomes an adrenaline junky, or you’re one who loves the feel of grease melting over your tongue in the form of pecan pie or thick clam chowder or a fat porterhouse or just plain ol’ Doritos by the bagful, and you want to repeat the same comfort and recognizable surprise of that first go, the first indulgence, and yet with each succeeding bite the small hope of true satisfaction slide farther away, then you under Celeste, at least a little.
After her first fuck, she went looking for a better boy. She always went looking after that. – p. 29
New Year’s Day, a freezing-cold day the color of young guilt, I tried to reconcile my growing obsession, this base sexual fascination with guys, with what I knew would too soon the act of committing myself to years and years of study. If I were going to be using my brain in the future, I reason with myself pretty pathetically, it’d be fine to focus on using my body for the time being.
My conscience buzzed like a dying bee in a jar. Eventually I’d learn how to leave it on the windowsill. – p. 270
The hash you smoked half an hour ago purses its lips on your sphincter and kisses. It decided to deep-throat you. Know that you and the dark Turkish pitch are a combustible duo, and that tonight’s show will either be very good in outcome or, diametrically opposite, that you will remain unsullied. – p. 278
These moments and nuggets of good writing made it an interesting book to read, though the lack of continuity ranks it low on my list of favorites. If you are looking for a titillating account of how these girls got bad, then you can get your fix with this book—but it only takes you as far as a good buzz.
March 12, 2009
Wow. This book very much mirrors my life as a teenager/young adult although these girls overachieved more than I did and also fell further. I know some people will bristle at the "poor little rich girl" element of it but I felt it really showed what it's like when you're trying to break away from unrealistic pressures and expectations. Boyden really captured the way that teenage girls are when they are stretching their world view and exploring their sexuality. I could really relate to a lot of it. There are basically 3 sections of the book-early teenage years, late teenage years, and young adult years. The late teenage years section is the strongest. The relationships between these girls and older guys are very spot-on, although sometimes Boyden seems to be trying to foreshadow an impending disaster that never materializes.
My only real complaint about the book is that the young adult section needed to be longer and more detailed-it almost seemed like Boyden got kind of rushed at the end. The last section isn't as engaging as the other sections even though I LOVED the 1980's SoCal punk stuff. There's a twist at the end that didn't seem like it was necessary.
My only real complaint about the book is that the young adult section needed to be longer and more detailed-it almost seemed like Boyden got kind of rushed at the end. The last section isn't as engaging as the other sections even though I LOVED the 1980's SoCal punk stuff. There's a twist at the end that didn't seem like it was necessary.
November 22, 2018
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. When I began the book, I loved Lisa and Celeste. They reminded me a lot of my high school years. My best friend and I had the same sort of relationship and our own rebellious streak (though it was nowhere near as bad as some of the things these girls do). As the story progressed I became a little detatched from them because they had become so wild. Normally, this kind of thing wouldn’t affect me too much. with these two, it bothered me because they are both bright, intelligent girls who should know better. Of course, I imagine there are a lot of intelligent people in the world who do these kinds of things all the time.
The writing was pretty good. It wasn’t too matter-of-fact, but it it wasn’t flowy either. I really loved the one page, present tense memories from each punk show they went to that Boyden placed in between each “chapter.” Those made the story more interesting to me. There was definitely something I enjoyed about Boyden’s writing. I will read another book by her if she writes something else that sounds interesting.
If there’s anything I took away from the book, it’s how much your bad decisions can really screw up your life sometimes. I hate to sound like a D.A.R.E. officer or something, but it’s true. These girls make some horrible decisions that get them into some really bad situations. They have to face up to the consequences of their actions. It makes you think twice about doing things in the name of rebellion.
In short, it’s a good book, just very tragic. It made me think, which is always good. I wouldn’t recommend the book to anyone who doesn’t like reading about sex or drug use, since these things are a common occurrence in this book.
The writing was pretty good. It wasn’t too matter-of-fact, but it it wasn’t flowy either. I really loved the one page, present tense memories from each punk show they went to that Boyden placed in between each “chapter.” Those made the story more interesting to me. There was definitely something I enjoyed about Boyden’s writing. I will read another book by her if she writes something else that sounds interesting.
If there’s anything I took away from the book, it’s how much your bad decisions can really screw up your life sometimes. I hate to sound like a D.A.R.E. officer or something, but it’s true. These girls make some horrible decisions that get them into some really bad situations. They have to face up to the consequences of their actions. It makes you think twice about doing things in the name of rebellion.
In short, it’s a good book, just very tragic. It made me think, which is always good. I wouldn’t recommend the book to anyone who doesn’t like reading about sex or drug use, since these things are a common occurrence in this book.
January 21, 2013
Growing up can be a hard thing, yet it’s something we all go through. Some of us earlier in life and some later. In Amanda Boyden’s Pretty Little Dirty you see both. You see the beauty of becoming of age and you see the ugly. You see it through someone who’s going through it. However, as an adolescent myself I feel that this book could potentially teach other kids like me to take the wrong path. Such as, drugs and alcohol. On the other hand, it shows you the consequences if you do take the wrong path, which is this is a great book for adolescents.
Boyden’s choice of adult situations and language brings out a great connection. I’m sure everyone gets in bad situations or uses some sort of frowned upon language every once in awhile. That’s a part of growing up, new experiences and learning right from wrong. Some of the ways people grow up is rather shocking because some adolescents believe nothing bad will happen to them.
What’s effective about this whole book is that it really shows you how you only live once and that life is a really precious thing you have. Even if you think your life isn't that great, like Lisa thinks her life is, you can change it however you want to your satisfactory. As you get older no one can stop you from anything, which Celeste shows Lisa how to do.
Although, I feel that Boyden often glorifies the use of illegal substances, which she doesn't really show the bad side effects of, I think that it is a little misleading, but also causes anyone who reads the book to do further research. The use of illegal substances and teenagers is rising as the world produces more people and the substances at least Boyden shows how addiction can take over someones life. The good thing is you get to see it two ways and not just one. You can see it progress and recovery in a person.
Overall, Pretty Little Dirty is a really good book to read. It shows you how one person can effect your whole life just by being your friend. We all have someone in our lives to show us right and wrong and this book does that very well. It could also even help you with your own problems. If you're ever feeling lost this book could always help you and give you ideas of what you can do with your life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is in their adolescent stage of life. It is very easy to connect to and won’t cause any confusion while reading it. You might even learn more about yourself just from reading it, I know I did.
Boyden’s choice of adult situations and language brings out a great connection. I’m sure everyone gets in bad situations or uses some sort of frowned upon language every once in awhile. That’s a part of growing up, new experiences and learning right from wrong. Some of the ways people grow up is rather shocking because some adolescents believe nothing bad will happen to them.
What’s effective about this whole book is that it really shows you how you only live once and that life is a really precious thing you have. Even if you think your life isn't that great, like Lisa thinks her life is, you can change it however you want to your satisfactory. As you get older no one can stop you from anything, which Celeste shows Lisa how to do.
Although, I feel that Boyden often glorifies the use of illegal substances, which she doesn't really show the bad side effects of, I think that it is a little misleading, but also causes anyone who reads the book to do further research. The use of illegal substances and teenagers is rising as the world produces more people and the substances at least Boyden shows how addiction can take over someones life. The good thing is you get to see it two ways and not just one. You can see it progress and recovery in a person.
Overall, Pretty Little Dirty is a really good book to read. It shows you how one person can effect your whole life just by being your friend. We all have someone in our lives to show us right and wrong and this book does that very well. It could also even help you with your own problems. If you're ever feeling lost this book could always help you and give you ideas of what you can do with your life.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is in their adolescent stage of life. It is very easy to connect to and won’t cause any confusion while reading it. You might even learn more about yourself just from reading it, I know I did.
October 5, 2009
The book pretty little dirty by Amanda Boyden is told from the perspective of two best friends-Lisa and Celeste-although you don't actually know this until the end. It's the tale of their high school years (with a few younger years stories thrown in) and how they went from the smartest, prettiest and most popular girls in high school to college drop-outs who sell drugs out of their home.
Although older people may be a bit appalled by this story, I think it's very relevant to kids today-GIRLS today. It doesn't matter how much privilege or opportunity you have. It doesn't matter if you are pretty or well-liked. All girls have issues with themselves, with insecurities, with sex and boys. And you learn at an early age that sex can get you pretty much anything you want-even if it's only for 10 minutes.
But who teaches you when to stop? When to say it's NOT OK to let boys use you, hurt you, make you feel like a THING. But maybe you don't have to stop. Maybe when you have a soul mate who makes you feel worthy-then maybe it's just fine to fuck boys randomly. Maybe it's OK. Or maybe it's self-destructive. I am not sure what conclusion the book led me to.
More than anything I think that life is hard for everyone. It's not easier because you rich or pretty or smart. You have just as many problems. Maybe you are poor. Maybe you are "ugly". But maybe you still have dignity. Maybe you still have self-worth. While other maybe be pretty and rich, but they hate themselves. Life is hard either way, just in a different way. My favorite thought is no matter how bad you think your life is at the moment, there is someone out there whose life is worse.
It's a good book. It's addictive and a bit painful to read, but it makes you think-which is always good.
Although older people may be a bit appalled by this story, I think it's very relevant to kids today-GIRLS today. It doesn't matter how much privilege or opportunity you have. It doesn't matter if you are pretty or well-liked. All girls have issues with themselves, with insecurities, with sex and boys. And you learn at an early age that sex can get you pretty much anything you want-even if it's only for 10 minutes.
But who teaches you when to stop? When to say it's NOT OK to let boys use you, hurt you, make you feel like a THING. But maybe you don't have to stop. Maybe when you have a soul mate who makes you feel worthy-then maybe it's just fine to fuck boys randomly. Maybe it's OK. Or maybe it's self-destructive. I am not sure what conclusion the book led me to.
More than anything I think that life is hard for everyone. It's not easier because you rich or pretty or smart. You have just as many problems. Maybe you are poor. Maybe you are "ugly". But maybe you still have dignity. Maybe you still have self-worth. While other maybe be pretty and rich, but they hate themselves. Life is hard either way, just in a different way. My favorite thought is no matter how bad you think your life is at the moment, there is someone out there whose life is worse.
It's a good book. It's addictive and a bit painful to read, but it makes you think-which is always good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2008
Dumb. Cliched plot (two friends, one is beautiful and rich and perfect, and the other one is down-to-earth and always in her shadow), VERY irritating characters (the girls are both spoiled brats who always get what they want), out of nowhere plot shift towards the end of the book, and random ridiculous ending. also, strange intercalary chapters that made no sense whatsoever.
August 15, 2011
Coming-of-age books are my favorite (how many times have I said this?), so I judge these types of books way more harshly. I've read two beautifully written coming-of-age books this year. Pretty Little Dirty isn't one of them. Was this book horrible? No. However, it was one of those books that took me way too long to read due to lack of enthusiasm on my part. Any book that turns you off of reading for awhile doesn't deserve much praise, even if the book isn't the worst you've ever read. This book simply wasn't for me. Pretty Little Dirty follows one of my favorite coming-of-age "formulas" in that it involves two best friends, Lisa & Celeste, and the evolution of their friendship through suburbia & beyond. Lisa can't stand her dysfunctional, boring family, so she latches on to the lively Diamond household through her best friend Celeste. The novel starts out with an epic trip to wilderness camp where the girls' bad girl reputations are born – pretty impressive for sixth graders. Camp Evergreenshade was certainly the high point of Pretty Little Dirty for me.
The book moves from innocent fun to drug-fueled promiscuity. Drugs & sex consume a large part of the novel, and this just got ridiculously boring after awhile. I don't mind reading about drugs. I LOVED The Basketball Diaries. So, the drug theme wasn't what turned me off. It's mostly that these girls simply weren't likable. If I'm going to read a book about amateur groupies, I much prefer the girls to be dreamy versions of Penny Lane from the movie Almost Famous, not skags who go to early '80s hardcore shows & pick crabs off of their privates in a bathroom stall. Yuck!
The book moves from innocent fun to drug-fueled promiscuity. Drugs & sex consume a large part of the novel, and this just got ridiculously boring after awhile. I don't mind reading about drugs. I LOVED The Basketball Diaries. So, the drug theme wasn't what turned me off. It's mostly that these girls simply weren't likable. If I'm going to read a book about amateur groupies, I much prefer the girls to be dreamy versions of Penny Lane from the movie Almost Famous, not skags who go to early '80s hardcore shows & pick crabs off of their privates in a bathroom stall. Yuck!
December 31, 2009
I had the occasion to meet the author, Mrs. Boyden, one memorable evening at Handsome Willy's in New Orleans the night of the Saints/Bears game to decide who would go to the Super Bowl in 2007. Sitting at the bar I and the entire bar were reveling in a rare opportunity. Mrs. Boyden was on my left while her husband, Mr. Boyden, also a writer, shmoozed in the crowd. As we were obviously both routing for the same team, in a town like New Orleans where pretension is truly non-existent, we had a very long conversation. She came to tell me of her book and other interesting things amongst several drinks.
She was an interesting and entertaining gal so after a few years when I managed to score the book, I gave it a read. I was fairly prepared from the story from Amanda's cryptic descriptions. For instance I knew that the author's life was more based on the life of Celeste than Lisa (the two central characters) sans a few crucial plot situations.
It is basically the tumultuous story of two young girls, best friends till the end, as they followed a circuitous path through development to adulthood. The story-telling starts right and the dialogue believable, however deep in to adolescents and teenagerdom, it begins to lose its authenticity. The autobiographical nature is almost overwhelming in the closing chapters of the book almost up until the abrupt and somewhat confusing (in literary purpose) ending.
Nonetheless, for a freshman try from an intriguing and interesting writer, this is a worthy effort. I recommend an interest in things punk and seedy to attempt this book; it is not for those expecting pink hearts and flowers. This is the story of youth, sex, drugs, rock and roll, and a reckless abandon for the future.
She was an interesting and entertaining gal so after a few years when I managed to score the book, I gave it a read. I was fairly prepared from the story from Amanda's cryptic descriptions. For instance I knew that the author's life was more based on the life of Celeste than Lisa (the two central characters) sans a few crucial plot situations.
It is basically the tumultuous story of two young girls, best friends till the end, as they followed a circuitous path through development to adulthood. The story-telling starts right and the dialogue believable, however deep in to adolescents and teenagerdom, it begins to lose its authenticity. The autobiographical nature is almost overwhelming in the closing chapters of the book almost up until the abrupt and somewhat confusing (in literary purpose) ending.
Nonetheless, for a freshman try from an intriguing and interesting writer, this is a worthy effort. I recommend an interest in things punk and seedy to attempt this book; it is not for those expecting pink hearts and flowers. This is the story of youth, sex, drugs, rock and roll, and a reckless abandon for the future.
April 16, 2009
Just finished this book a few day ago and it is still weighing on my mind.
Lisa starts her narration at the age of 12 when she first meets her best friend and partner in crime (literally!). Both girls are very gifted, smart and attractive although Lisa only see's these qualities in Celeste and has rather low self esteem herself. The main part of the book is all about their lives from the age of 12 through high school and thier very special freindship. However this book is not the warm fuzzy kind....be prepared for the girls to make bad decisions and when they go off to college nothing will ever be the same.
I felt the characters were easy to relate to and the author managed to get just right all the self concious, crazy thoughts teen girls have. The friendship felt very real between the two main characters. The ending was not as good as the rest of the book.
Lisa starts her narration at the age of 12 when she first meets her best friend and partner in crime (literally!). Both girls are very gifted, smart and attractive although Lisa only see's these qualities in Celeste and has rather low self esteem herself. The main part of the book is all about their lives from the age of 12 through high school and thier very special freindship. However this book is not the warm fuzzy kind....be prepared for the girls to make bad decisions and when they go off to college nothing will ever be the same.
I felt the characters were easy to relate to and the author managed to get just right all the self concious, crazy thoughts teen girls have. The friendship felt very real between the two main characters. The ending was not as good as the rest of the book.
February 28, 2024
I first read this book in the mid 2000s, when it was originally released. I think it must have been a readers copy that came to my office. In any event, I have not been able to forget this book in all that time, and on and off over the years I've tried to find it again, not remembering the title. A few weeks ago, using some major plot themes and the name of one of the characters, which I did remember, I somehow found it. I ordered a hard copy as well as the Kindle version. Why? I wanted the hard copy because it has always been one of my favorite books--I don't buy many hard copies anymore. It's very well written. It's a coming-of-age story, narrated by one of the two main characters, and it's just heartbreaking. I can't say more except for those of us who may have been in a mosh pit or two back in the day, it rings really true.
August 4, 2008
Surprising ending. I really enjoyed this book. I felt the happiness. I felt the pain. But while I enjoyed it, I can imagine this book isn't for everyone.
Lisa sees the life of her gorgeous best friend, Celeste Diamond, as just about perfect: she has a gigantic house, two older sisters to coach her through the hazards of high school, and loving, lively parents. As Lisa's own home has long been a place devoid of joyful noise, she joins the Diamond household, slipping into their routine of sit-down suppers and soaking in the delicious normalcy of family life. But what begins as the story of two young women living a charmed existence soon swirls into an intoxicating novel of art, music, and self-destrutive impulses.
Lisa sees the life of her gorgeous best friend, Celeste Diamond, as just about perfect: she has a gigantic house, two older sisters to coach her through the hazards of high school, and loving, lively parents. As Lisa's own home has long been a place devoid of joyful noise, she joins the Diamond household, slipping into their routine of sit-down suppers and soaking in the delicious normalcy of family life. But what begins as the story of two young women living a charmed existence soon swirls into an intoxicating novel of art, music, and self-destrutive impulses.
July 14, 2010
This book, which is a coming of age tale of two young women in the seventies, may have been a "gutsy debut" work, but I couldn't find any coherence in the story's events. The "scandalous" or "erotic" events which apparently shape these girls' lives seem of no real use other than to shock the audience -- this, to me, is not art.
There were, however, instances of good descriptive language, both objective and subjective, with interchange and balance between the two. Overall, however, I do not recommend this book.
There were, however, instances of good descriptive language, both objective and subjective, with interchange and balance between the two. Overall, however, I do not recommend this book.
July 28, 2007
This book talks about a childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood that doesn't match mine at all, but while reading it I feel like it could have been mine. There's an intensity to it that I really love.
It's the story of two girls who are best friends from sixth grade to the first year in college. They're smart and yet they're ultimate bad girls.
I will definitely re-read this.
It's the story of two girls who are best friends from sixth grade to the first year in college. They're smart and yet they're ultimate bad girls.
I will definitely re-read this.
April 12, 2010
Enjoyable read. I liked the book and got sucked in by the characters, but can't say I loved it and I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to a friend. I didn't care for the end (in regard to Celeste). A fun read though, one that I think anyone who was once a teenager (especially a teenage girl!) could enjoy.
July 10, 2022
I loved this book???
I’m a complete book snob; I think there’s maybe a handful of truly well-written books out there. That being said, I thought this book was fucking amazing!
It was so gritty and dark and truthful - easily one of my favorite books of all time. I haven’t enjoyed reading a book this much in a long while, I only wish the author wrote more like it.
I’m a complete book snob; I think there’s maybe a handful of truly well-written books out there. That being said, I thought this book was fucking amazing!
It was so gritty and dark and truthful - easily one of my favorite books of all time. I haven’t enjoyed reading a book this much in a long while, I only wish the author wrote more like it.
June 1, 2019
This book was one of my favorite as I was becoming a woman. Really grasps the female mindset and what it’s like to grow up. It’s very easy to relate to both Lisa and Celeste, bringing you closer to each in turn. I’ve read this book multiple times and love it every time.
June 7, 2007
As a mom, this book terrified me. As a reader, it enthralled me. I read so much that I don't recommend that many books to my husband. This is one I insisted he read.
January 6, 2024
I’m usually a sucker for coming-of-age books, especially those about my fellow Generation X-ers. I was hoping Amanda Boyden’s novel Pretty Little Dirty would appease my love for these types of books. Sadly, this book was a huge disappointment.
Pretty Little Dirty started out promising. Lisa Smith and Celeste Diamond meet as grade schoolers in Kansas City, Missouri. Lisa has just moved from Chicago and Celeste has just moved from New York. Being the new girls in town, they bond immediately and become best friends.
Lisa, who narrates the books, has a bad home life. Her mother is still in the throes of post-partum depression at a time mental illness was barely understood and properly treated. And her father is totally checked out, not there to offer his children support and comfort.
On the other hand, Celeste’s family is picture perfect to young Lisa. Her parents are warm and funny. Lisa finds solace with the Diamond family so much she seems to spend more time with them than with her own family.
Lisa and Celeste bond at summer camp and their friendship continues once they get to high school. These two girls show promise. They take dance classes, get good grades, and sing in the school choir. They also start spending time at the Kansas City Art Institute meeting artsy types. And that’s when Pretty Little Dirty completely goes off the rails.
Lisa and Celeste get heavily into drugs and sleep with a lot of guys. Chapter after chapter is about these two girls ingesting illegal substances and having sex with loser guys. This continues when they go to college-Lisa to the University of Wisconsin and Celeste to Berkeley. It’s just a downward spiral of drugs, bad sex, and hanging out with really sketchy people. They also go to a lot of rock shows but they seem to be more into the scene than the actual music. I was wondering how they could afford their lifestyles. The only source of money these girls had were their parents’ credit cards and dealing drugs.
I’m not prude. Drug use and sex in a novel is not going to make me clutch my pearls. But I’m trying to figure out how two young women with such unrestrained drug use could even make a simple cup of coffee in the morning let alone get really good grades in high school and college. And by the early 1980s AIDS was a huge threat so banging random men without condoms is just so unbelievably stupid. Plus, the sex scenes are so soulless and off putting. And the writing of these sex scenes is gag-inducing, makes sex look so unsexy. And in one passage, Lisa talks about plucking crabs from her pubic hair in the bathroom stall of a club. Hmm, how classy.
Speaking of the writing, it’s repetitive, overwrought, and at times, quite dull. In the hands of a much better writer, Pretty Little Dirty could have been good, but it’s not. And when the book concluded with a tragic yet predictable end, I couldn’t have cared less.
In the end Lisa and Celeste aren’t likable and relatable. Sure, teen girls are going to experiment with drugs and sex, but they also have characteristics that make them compelling and interesting. No amount of sex, drugs, and rock and roll could make Lisa and Celeste compelling and interesting. They are vapid, self-absorbed, not very bright, and aren’t as artsy and bewitching as they think they are. They are also mean girls who make fun of other people’s looks and their racism is barely veiled. Pretty Little Dirty is ugly massive dirty waste of time.
Originally published at The Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
Pretty Little Dirty started out promising. Lisa Smith and Celeste Diamond meet as grade schoolers in Kansas City, Missouri. Lisa has just moved from Chicago and Celeste has just moved from New York. Being the new girls in town, they bond immediately and become best friends.
Lisa, who narrates the books, has a bad home life. Her mother is still in the throes of post-partum depression at a time mental illness was barely understood and properly treated. And her father is totally checked out, not there to offer his children support and comfort.
On the other hand, Celeste’s family is picture perfect to young Lisa. Her parents are warm and funny. Lisa finds solace with the Diamond family so much she seems to spend more time with them than with her own family.
Lisa and Celeste bond at summer camp and their friendship continues once they get to high school. These two girls show promise. They take dance classes, get good grades, and sing in the school choir. They also start spending time at the Kansas City Art Institute meeting artsy types. And that’s when Pretty Little Dirty completely goes off the rails.
Lisa and Celeste get heavily into drugs and sleep with a lot of guys. Chapter after chapter is about these two girls ingesting illegal substances and having sex with loser guys. This continues when they go to college-Lisa to the University of Wisconsin and Celeste to Berkeley. It’s just a downward spiral of drugs, bad sex, and hanging out with really sketchy people. They also go to a lot of rock shows but they seem to be more into the scene than the actual music. I was wondering how they could afford their lifestyles. The only source of money these girls had were their parents’ credit cards and dealing drugs.
I’m not prude. Drug use and sex in a novel is not going to make me clutch my pearls. But I’m trying to figure out how two young women with such unrestrained drug use could even make a simple cup of coffee in the morning let alone get really good grades in high school and college. And by the early 1980s AIDS was a huge threat so banging random men without condoms is just so unbelievably stupid. Plus, the sex scenes are so soulless and off putting. And the writing of these sex scenes is gag-inducing, makes sex look so unsexy. And in one passage, Lisa talks about plucking crabs from her pubic hair in the bathroom stall of a club. Hmm, how classy.
Speaking of the writing, it’s repetitive, overwrought, and at times, quite dull. In the hands of a much better writer, Pretty Little Dirty could have been good, but it’s not. And when the book concluded with a tragic yet predictable end, I couldn’t have cared less.
In the end Lisa and Celeste aren’t likable and relatable. Sure, teen girls are going to experiment with drugs and sex, but they also have characteristics that make them compelling and interesting. No amount of sex, drugs, and rock and roll could make Lisa and Celeste compelling and interesting. They are vapid, self-absorbed, not very bright, and aren’t as artsy and bewitching as they think they are. They are also mean girls who make fun of other people’s looks and their racism is barely veiled. Pretty Little Dirty is ugly massive dirty waste of time.
Originally published at The Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
October 5, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It's wild, filthy, grungy, yet it still manages to be beautiful in its own way. The way the author portrays these two young girls and their lives are as realistic and true as they could get. Her content is mature, but not to the point that it's excessively explicit, and I like that balance she has. The characters and their families had very distinct and realistic qualities that actually made you wish you knew them. A beautiful and twisted story of what it's really like for teenage friends to grow up. Would definitely recommend.
August 8, 2022
I'm not going to lie, I didn't think I would really like this book from the description but boy was I wrong. When I tell people friends can be soulmates I believe it. From this novel you can feel ho much Lisa loves Celeste and vice versa. You can even argue that the takeaway from this novel is how friendship can easily be obsession. I will recommend this book to my friends who enjoying coming of age stories. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2023
Great story. I identified with the characters as the story is set in the time space when I 'came of age' although their experience was nothing like my experience. It was captivating to see how the 'other half' lived and played.
January 1, 2018
This was well written but was a HORRIBLE book
November 13, 2018
It’s a bit cringe worthy at times. Love her writing style, found myself wrapped up at times.
December 22, 2019
This was a hard one to rate, hard to finish. You know almost right away that it's not gonna end well, but you soldier on in hopes that there's some sort of redemption, but yeah.
April 6, 2021
I just re-read this because I love it so much
December 16, 2013
The thirst for knowledge and maturity, combined with girly teenage hormones, places best friends Lisa and Celeste on a quick path to destruction. Lisa, having gone through a tough upbringing, desires the wealth, strength, and adventure she sees in her friend Celeste. Little does she know that those very qualities are what will cause them both to spin out of control. Together, this pair awaken their dull high-school lives in Missouri by loitering at art museums, hooking up with mysterious older boys, getting in fights at parties, and essentially indulging themselves everything that an adventurous teenager would crave. Once they enter college and are exposed to even more dangerous temptations, they find themselves totally consumed by a terribly destructive lifestyle. In a surprisingly honest depiction of life in the 1980s, Pretty Little Dirty explores the challenges of finding oneself, the ecstasy of true friendship, and the danger of seeking fulfillment in all the wrong places.
Amanda Boyden holds nothing back in this novel. She jumps right into somewhat uncomfortable coming-of-age experiences, writes with vivid detail, and professes the deepest and dirtiest thoughts these girls have. She paints such a clear image of all the settings and people (and parts of the people) that I, as a reader, almost feel as if I’m intruding on something. Every experience these girls share plays a huge role in finding their identity, and Boyden describes them in a way that makes the theme of “growing up” really come to life.
This book is graphic and, at times, troubling, but I strongly recommend it to any teenager who wants to know what it can look like when one longs to grow up too fast. This book is not for readers who crave a suspenseful plot, a deep love story, or profound symbolism, but it has a lot to offer those who want a realistic depiction of adventurous teenagers and the affects of their choices. Anyone who enjoys coming-of-age novels should definitely consider Pretty Little Dirty.
Amanda Boyden holds nothing back in this novel. She jumps right into somewhat uncomfortable coming-of-age experiences, writes with vivid detail, and professes the deepest and dirtiest thoughts these girls have. She paints such a clear image of all the settings and people (and parts of the people) that I, as a reader, almost feel as if I’m intruding on something. Every experience these girls share plays a huge role in finding their identity, and Boyden describes them in a way that makes the theme of “growing up” really come to life.
This book is graphic and, at times, troubling, but I strongly recommend it to any teenager who wants to know what it can look like when one longs to grow up too fast. This book is not for readers who crave a suspenseful plot, a deep love story, or profound symbolism, but it has a lot to offer those who want a realistic depiction of adventurous teenagers and the affects of their choices. Anyone who enjoys coming-of-age novels should definitely consider Pretty Little Dirty.
February 27, 2020
From Amazon: Lisa sees the life of her gorgeous best friend Celeste as just about perfect: she has a gigantic house, two older sisters to coach her through the hazards of high school, and loving, lively parents. As Lisa's own home has long been a place devoid of joyful noise—her mother has shut herself off in her bedroom for years—Lisa joins the Diamond household, slipping into their routine of sit-down suppers and soaking in the delicious normalcy of Diamond family life. But what begins as the story of two young women living a charmed adolescence, one of mastering dance moves and the protocols of male-female interaction, soon swirls into an intoxicating novel of art, music, and self-destructive impulses as Lisa and Celeste dare each other ever onward.~
Wow. This book really shocked me. It doesn't take much to shock me, but this did it. Two best friends growing up together. They meet in sixth grade, while taking a placement exam to get into a prestigious prep school. Their friendship begins immediately.
They are together every summer, and celebrate special moments together; their first kisses, first dates, first experiences with alcohol and drugs, then later their first sexual encounters. I envied their closeness....and knew that they would be there for each other no matter what. I think the best thing about this book is the end.....It blindsided me....never saw it coming.
This is a gritty, raw and surprising coming-of-age story that I will never forget.
Wow. This book really shocked me. It doesn't take much to shock me, but this did it. Two best friends growing up together. They meet in sixth grade, while taking a placement exam to get into a prestigious prep school. Their friendship begins immediately.
They are together every summer, and celebrate special moments together; their first kisses, first dates, first experiences with alcohol and drugs, then later their first sexual encounters. I envied their closeness....and knew that they would be there for each other no matter what. I think the best thing about this book is the end.....It blindsided me....never saw it coming.
This is a gritty, raw and surprising coming-of-age story that I will never forget.
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