Restricted Section Book Club discussion

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I didn't expect to like this novel as much as I did! I didn't start to enjoy the story until halfway through as its threads started to come together. In short, it's a beautifully crafted book!! :)

I loved this book! The two perspectives and different timelines made it so interesting to read and I was constantly trying to piece together the storyline in such a great way. The romantic relationships in the book also seemed realistic and were not at all rushed like they can be in some books.

Oh man, the writing in the book is so witty and beautiful. I wanted more time with Noah's narration sometimes but I thought overall the stories were woven together beautifully.

While the writing was lovely, I had some plot issues. Jude and Oscar's relationship is simply not okay. He's way too old for her and it would be considered statutory rape. I have a Criminal Justice degree so I can't let plot points like that go.

I have to admit, I felt like I was slogging through Jude's early chapters. It wasn't until she started working with G and the reader understood more of her burden (so basically the last third of the book)that I finally started to like her. She just came across as so damned evil! But the fact that Jandy Nelson turned my opinion of Jude on it's head is why ultimately enjoyed the book.

I really loved this book from the voice to the plot to the structure to the characters. I thought IGYTS also did a great job of showing how good people do awful things. Jude and Noah had different personalities and different social viewpoints, which showed more prominently as they aged. Jude was trying to find herself and to her it felt like Noah kept snatching everything she discovered away (which, in some ways, he was). So she tried to retaliate. And of course, there are the actions of their mom. I really liked how Jandy Nelson handled that. It was both right and wrong, as she said.

As much as I loved this book I have to agree with Abby. I was incredibly disappointed that she had whatshisface British dude give in and ignore his instinct to be a good adult human being. It is sad and scary and so unfortunate that so many YA novels glorify statutory relationships.

I enjoyed this after a bit of a slow start. Guillermo seemed like a bit of a caricature artist at first but grew to have a bit more depth. The split timelines of the narration really started to work as the book went on.

I'm not sure if the Oscar/Jude relationship was supposed to reflect his impulse control issues - e.g. his previous substance abuse problems. It was still an unpleasant aspect of the book and made him a less likable character.

I liked the resolution of the book and the quality of the writing was very good. I'd happily read another Jandy Nelson book in future

Five stars in the end after all.
I really had to plow through the first 150 pages, but am glad that I did.
Although one of the biggest surprises of the story didn't come as a surprise to me at all (really - was anyone shocked by it?) the dynamic between Noah and Jude wade up for it a thousand times.

This touched me on a deep level, having lost my artist grandfather early in my life, I felt very understood by the conflict between the mourning and the keeping up with art as you survive a big loss.
Also anyone who has a sibling with whom they were close but have now drifted apart can relate.

A very well written story about family, love, loss, art and becoming who you really are.

As an artist myself, this book really hit me in the feels. It's as if I have known Jude and Noah my whole life! I loved the creativity behind the writing and the many deep lessons this book teaches. Although the ending was a bit rushed, I still loved it. Honestly, this book is a 6 out of 5 stars for me!
I've never really been this connected to characters before (except in Harry Potter and some other books), and I felt torn apart when the book ended. It was like I had lost a friend!
Anyways, I loved Noah's relationship more than Jude's because I didn't really like Oscar after he made out with that other girl when he claimed he liked Jude.
All in all, I adored this book from the very first page until the last! :)