Bittersweet

by C. Drew Lamm

Taylor has always thought of herself as an artist, never lacking ideas or creative energy. But when her beloved Grams, who has raised her from infancy, suffers a stroke, Taylor’s world is shaken. People she thought she knew suddenly assume confusing new identities. Worst of all, her artistic ability deserts her—and if she isn’t an artist, who is she? Since she can’t create images on paper or canvas, there seems to be no reason not to paint her own face and body, no reason not to stop talking for a week, or throw the telephone out the window, or make a boutonniere of raw frogs’ legs for her prom date. . . . Slowly, Taylor finds her way through the aching grief of Grams’s absence and the shifting layers of her emotional reality to a clearer perception of herself, her surroundings, and her connections with others. Poignant, edgy, and irreverent, her voice will resonate with anyone who has had difficulty crossing shaky ground.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2003

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd love to write a review for this book--but it's left me grasping for the right words. If you've experienced loss--you might want to read this book. If you think the world is an amazing place, and that life is something not to be taken lightly--you'll probably love this book. It's really a five star book, but I had to deduct a smidgen due to a couple of sad events. Still, it's a wonderful book.

[Michelle Mullings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a seventeen year old girl and I usually don’t care for such slow paced books filled with nothing but words to describe things but this was so relaxing. I tend to always find myself crying at the end of books but this soothed my mind and heart that I didn’t want to. It made me sad thinking of my grandmother because we are so close but I didn’t have this hole in my chest like usual. The words were beautiful and made me feel like I was there feeling the sun and in class with her. I could not connect directly to Taylor’s situation but I understood some of the teenage feelings and anger she felt. And the loss, just not from a grandparent and guardian. I hate the situation she was in but was happy how this ended.

[Cleo Conran-Guillow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, one of my absolute favorites. It's oddly timeless and yet nostalgic.
Lots of matriarchy in this one and sadness, but finding beauty in the love of those around you and those who are gone.

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly underrated, at least this book should be more known.

The story is about a girl who is very close to her grandmother, but her grandmother dies one day and so Taylor enters a standstill of sorts.


I do like how it turns out, tho some characters are put into a stereotype which I could do without. Aside from that though, it's a pretty encouraging story, not just for artists, but for anyone.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book in high school, and I couldn't remember the title for the longest time, and now I found it! I don't remember why I liked it so much, but I was drawn in somehow. I think this girl's grandma was ill or dying, and she's an artist, and they have a Chagall calender. That's what I remember about it.

[Thomas Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book of fifth grade and it had a lot of competition, Harry potter, sisterhood of the traveling pants, and the shadow children series. I still love this book and cannot find fault in what I think is drew lamm's finest book. This book just simply pwns, there is nothing else to know.

[Merisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

conmovedora novela juvenil, la primera parte mujeres los estereotipos adolescentes en escuela como se error de tv, luego en las vacaciones llega a los recónditos lugares de las emociones y la creatividad de una chica que sufre la enfermedad de su abuela quien había sido su sustento, para encontrarse a su misma por medio de sus raíces, sus amistades, el amor y su padre viudo. muy buena.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was so moved by the beauty of how the story was presented. It is amazing, I recommend it to anyone

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl who loses her artistic streak when her grandmother gets a stroke and gets it back.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in LOVE with this book. I felt very close to the main character and was emotional when her grandma died. Amazing book. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.