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Disconnected
Catherine isn't sure who she is. The hardworking student? The dutiful daughter? Or someone else entirely? Catherine, Cat, Cath - which is the real person? A gripping study of teenage pressure and identity.
- GenresYoung AdultMental Health
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 5, 2015
good book, like the beginning of it the best
December 24, 2022
I've decided to, again, remind myself to rate books not how good they are, but how much I enjoy(ed) them.
So this was a 2 star book, with a good ending. I had absolutely no idea how it was going to end throughout the entire book, even the almost-end, so that was cool.
It seemed that it was going to be completely just a rant of 2000s teenage style and angst.... And it was, for the most part.
But also, I thought that it was kinda clever because Cath played with different personas, and adventures so to say, but had doses of harsh downunder reality that brought her peace of mind in her ability to make decisions for her own life. Which is far more mature and, frankly, realistic than her just going back to being the good girl for other people's approval. She appreciates connection with people but doesn't need their approval, which is far more important.
She knows who she wants to be; and it's right that she be - even if it's painful for her to admit and others to accept - who she wants, with her own decisions, and not what has been set out for her or expected of her.
I'll put some alright quotes in soon but in the meantime, Merry Happy Lovely Darling Xmas or Holidays! 🕸️👍🏼
So this was a 2 star book, with a good ending. I had absolutely no idea how it was going to end throughout the entire book, even the almost-end, so that was cool.
It seemed that it was going to be completely just a rant of 2000s teenage style and angst.... And it was, for the most part.
But also, I thought that it was kinda clever because Cath played with different personas, and adventures so to say, but had doses of harsh downunder reality that brought her peace of mind in her ability to make decisions for her own life. Which is far more mature and, frankly, realistic than her just going back to being the good girl for other people's approval. She appreciates connection with people but doesn't need their approval, which is far more important.
She knows who she wants to be; and it's right that she be - even if it's painful for her to admit and others to accept - who she wants, with her own decisions, and not what has been set out for her or expected of her.
I'll put some alright quotes in soon but in the meantime, Merry Happy Lovely Darling Xmas or Holidays! 🕸️👍🏼
November 23, 2011
I have to admit that I don't tend to read YA books. When I was a teen 20 years ago I'm not sure this genre was as big as it is now. Yeh we had Judy Blume or Sweet Valley High but it seemed there were less YA books than there are now...praps it's just me? Anyway, I digress - I don't tend to read YA because I sort of feel I have "been there, done that" and now it's time to move on. But, out of curiosity and giving things a go I decided I'd take a look at my local library.
I picked a couple of YA books, this included. What appealed was that it wasn't about fairies, Vamps, wizards and the paranormal. Just not my thing but seems to be very popular.
This book is about 'real' teen life, although it didn't portray my life! I liked the way the book was written - the lead was essentially writing letters back to all the people who were involved in a particular period of her life when she (in modern parlance) was discovering herself. She was studious but sat in class and realised it was all too constricting. At a party she happened to meet a lad who was also discovering his identity and who he was. They hooked up and hung out, although it wasn't quite as simple as boyfriend / girlfriend. Hanging out with him introduced her to a new set of friends and one girl particularly, but she had issues.
The story reveals the main characters relationships with the other characters and discovery that they all had secrets to hide. The ending was a little "safe" but I suspect this might be due to the market.
Whilst I thought the book ok it was full of teen angst and like I say "have been there, done that" so it became a little, not exactly irritating but like I was glad the book was short and with big writing!
I picked a couple of YA books, this included. What appealed was that it wasn't about fairies, Vamps, wizards and the paranormal. Just not my thing but seems to be very popular.
This book is about 'real' teen life, although it didn't portray my life! I liked the way the book was written - the lead was essentially writing letters back to all the people who were involved in a particular period of her life when she (in modern parlance) was discovering herself. She was studious but sat in class and realised it was all too constricting. At a party she happened to meet a lad who was also discovering his identity and who he was. They hooked up and hung out, although it wasn't quite as simple as boyfriend / girlfriend. Hanging out with him introduced her to a new set of friends and one girl particularly, but she had issues.
The story reveals the main characters relationships with the other characters and discovery that they all had secrets to hide. The ending was a little "safe" but I suspect this might be due to the market.
Whilst I thought the book ok it was full of teen angst and like I say "have been there, done that" so it became a little, not exactly irritating but like I was glad the book was short and with big writing!
April 15, 2013
This book described the part of teenage life I'm not living. I think I know a few people at this stage in their lives--as most of my classmates are around 17 now, and a few drink often. I'm not that type of teenager, but I could relate to the beginning, when Cat was just... 'incapable' of doing school work. And failing exams! That part related to me incredibly.
I know that loads of teenagers just go from one party to another, get boyfriends, experience. I'm not that kind of teenager, though this was still interesting to read, like an insight into that world. (I must add that it's not my thing--I much prefer the comforts of my home to sitting in a park somewhere or spending entire nights out.)
Interesting ending. All in all, liked this loads, even if it was depressive at times.
I know that loads of teenagers just go from one party to another, get boyfriends, experience. I'm not that kind of teenager, though this was still interesting to read, like an insight into that world. (I must add that it's not my thing--I much prefer the comforts of my home to sitting in a park somewhere or spending entire nights out.)
Interesting ending. All in all, liked this loads, even if it was depressive at times.
December 27, 2012
I wasn’t too sure about this book, as it did seem fairly geared at a younger reader. I think if I’d have read it around age 16 I’d have enjoyed it a lot more.
But the book itself was well written, the characters believable & the turns in the plot kept the pace of the story well. It didn’t seem pretentious, or as if written by someone out of touch with young people. But at the same time it wasn’t anything ground breaking. A good book for other teenagers who are going through the same pressures to excel at school & to conform to a certain ideal for different people, & possibly a good book for parents of such teens!
But the book itself was well written, the characters believable & the turns in the plot kept the pace of the story well. It didn’t seem pretentious, or as if written by someone out of touch with young people. But at the same time it wasn’t anything ground breaking. A good book for other teenagers who are going through the same pressures to excel at school & to conform to a certain ideal for different people, & possibly a good book for parents of such teens!
March 22, 2015
i nam well out of this age group but well remember the stresses of being this age . I thought it was a times well written and at other times seemed a bit rushed and could have progressed a lot further with certain storylines the bisexual bit and not know really what u wanted !!
I liked the bit abt her drinking and no one knew wot she up to think sherry Ashworth captured the feelings well but could have gone alot deeper but maybe it shone because it was relatively short and would have got fed up if was longer and more dragged out the ending seemed a bit rushed as well !!
I liked the bit abt her drinking and no one knew wot she up to think sherry Ashworth captured the feelings well but could have gone alot deeper but maybe it shone because it was relatively short and would have got fed up if was longer and more dragged out the ending seemed a bit rushed as well !!
July 27, 2012
Loved this book when I was younger!
September 18, 2016
It was alright, there wasn't really a climax. It's probably not worth reading.
January 25, 2019
This book is always the book I seem to come back too. I swapped it at the start of secondary school in a free book swap in my class and I've read it so many times. It sits on my shelf unread for months and it's all worn and ripped. The beginning is fantastic, looses its way in the middle then regains at the end. Really great read.
April 17, 2019
Series of letters wrote from a teenage girl to various people in her life and at different stages. Normally struggle with this type of book where it jumps from one to another But think due to it being written from one point of view to different people I found it easier to follow
August 18, 2023
Starts well, gets better but flat ending.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews