Just Listen discussion

Other than her first two or three books, all Sarah Dessen novels seem to follow the same plot: troubled girl doesn't think she likes guy but really does - girl gets with guy - girl runs away from guy because of her past(or whatever) - girl realizes her mistake and reconciles with guy. What do y'all think?

I think the opposite actually. Although all books are about a troubled girl finding love and friendship, they couldn't be more different. I've said in other threads, but I'll say it here too, her novels aren't about "every-girls", it's very hard to relate the main character unless you've been through those specific things. I love the novels, but reading Just Listen (For example) was much more different than Lock and Key because of the different situations and how they changed the characters and what kind of men they needed for them. That being said, to a degree, I can say that the layout is almost the same. :)

Jordan wrote: "I think the opposite actually. Although all books are about a troubled girl finding love and friendship, they couldn't be more different. I've said in other threads, but I'll say it here too, her n..."

I agree with you completely

I agree that they all have somewhat similar ideas, but the characters and the stories are different. Take Dreamland for example. It was her fourth book and although the main character is somewhat troubled as in other books, the overall story is different than that of her more recent stories.

I have read three of her books- The truth about forever, Just listen and Along for the ride and I do feel her books are very formulaic with different themes. The protagonist is more or less the same troubled introvert girl who meets this new guy and makes a couple of new friends who changes her perspective on life. There are similarities between the supporting characters as well.

The thing which actually sets the books apart is the setting and the pace. In Along for the ride, I felt the protagonist had a more well rounded life and a lot of things were happening to her during the course of the book. The character development was far more perceptible and arguably, more satisfactory even.

I really hope the new book introduces some variation. Maybe a strong protagonist with some spunk will spice things up. Just my wistful thinking.

They are very similar.

First it starts with a girl. This girl has a very troubling family situation. Now this girl is fundamentally screwed up. So, the girl slowly starts to drift away from those who might actually care for her (aka relative that she hasn't been it touch with for a while). Now the girl is all alone, but alas! A light, shining through the mists of her despair! A hot guy, who understands her because of his own personal drama. Along with the hot guy comes a best friend that is über awesome and supportive and confident, thus making the girl awesome and confident. So that is the end, and now you must assume that this guy and girl stay together for the rest of their lives because what else might happen? It's not like they're only seventeen.

The End.

But don't get me wrong; I do generally like Sarah Dessen books. (I just have to have long periods of time between each of her books that I read so that I may forget the plot).

I think she does a good job creating realistic characters. Each problem is different, as well as each girl. I've noticed she will introduce characters from other books. Nice little touch.

Although the plots all follow something of the same route, the characters and situations are all very different, which is awesome. (Some authors stick with similar characters, which makes it feel like I'm watching the same movie, over and over, with different back-round music.) For me, characters are my favorite part of the book, so it didn't affect how much I enjoyed the books.
One awesome thing about Dessen's books are her references to her previous books, which are always fun to find. Despite that, the books are all pretty different.

Kimione wrote: "I have read three of her books- The truth about forever, Just listen and Along for the ride and I do feel her books are very formulaic with different themes. The protagonist is more or less the sam..."

Remy from This Lullaby, also by Sarah Dessen, is a very strong protagonist. She doesn't wait for a man (although she does usually have one around) and is usually amazingly in control of her life. The apparently necessary love story is, obviously, there, but roles are somewhat switched, with the guy being a loyal puppy dog, and Remy in charge. The book is hilarious, too, which is awesome.

I think the layout is similar, but I love it like that. It's a great layout. But the characters are all quite different. I mean yeah, they all have that, troubled kinda shy, push the boys away due to their troubled pasts ect ect but everyone has at least one character they can relate to

yes. i love sarah dessen but all of her books are the same plotlines. troubled shy girl who becomes strong when she met a guy.

She does have great stories, I appreciate her writing and her characters are relatable but her books are practically the same.

I feel that her books are kind of alike but not totally the same. I LOVE how you can find little things in each of her books that relate to all the other ones. Like how you can have a location here or a character there. And i really like her writing style. But i do get what you are all saying.

They are pretty similar. They often have a similar locations, characteristics, and the plot layout is close too. Even though they are similar, I still read 90% of them. Each book draws you in through the main girl's personality, past, and the choices she makes.

I'm happy someone thinks her books are kinda the same. All my friends love the books but i get bored because I can predict whats gonna happen next. The books may not be the same in characters or settings, but the same actions, plots, mental state of the main characters, etc.

Sarah works to a blueprint, sure, but you read her books for the characters. Remy is nothing like Annabel, or Ruby, or Caitlin. No one is like Jason Talbot. And there's a cute game of spotting your favourite characters in different books, like Wes *hearts*

They're all the same, but they're all different. And lately, she's veered away from the awkward-mom-relationship, little-sister-jealous-of-the-big-sister formula.

And they're all the same in that they're all awesome!

Natalie wrote: "Kimione wrote: "I have read three of her books- The truth about forever, Just listen and Along for the ride and I do feel her books are very formulaic with different themes. The protagonist is more..."

I love This Lullaby.

Dreamland also differs from the norm, because when Cassandra runs away, Caitlin goes out of her way to be different, and ends up in an abusive relationship with Rogerson. That story is more about how you don't need a man, and you should have some control over your own destiny. I cry for Caitlin, every single time.

Yes, they are almost the same.
I have read some of her books (Along for the Ride, Lock and Key, Just Listen, Dreamland etc) and after finishing them, I kind of felt bored and tired of the similar plots I have read with the others. Average of 2.5stars

I love her books, though she does have two books that are very similar. The rest are all very different stories of different girls with different problems in life. I do like that all her books intertwine with each other. I love spotting a cameo of another character from a different book.

Jordan wrote: "I think the opposite actually. Although all books are about a troubled girl finding love and friendship, they couldn't be more different. I've said in other threads, but I'll say it here too, her n..."

Well said! Beside Its like a different story everytime. love her

Yeah, I have to admit, they all have the same plot. Either way, they are pretty good. My favorites are Along for the Ride and Lock and Key.

I think they are all very similar. I know a girl who was reading one of hers and I told her they were all the same. She told me to predict the ending and I was spot on. It was the same ending as the book I had just finished.

Every Sarah Dressen book is unique, the plots are never the same. I think why people think they're so similar is the fact Sarah Dressen actually wrote them so somehow the characters are all linked together by people they know and where they live. I guess unless you are a die hard reader you can't really tell that, unless you go back and reread them and write down those tiny clues.