Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Pages: 198
Publisher: Penguin Group
Copyright: 1999
Format: Paperback
Rating: 
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Melinda Sordino is a social pariah. She called the cops in the middle of a summer party – the death of her social life and the end of a traumatic event. She’s just started her freshman year of high school, but she might as well have stayed home. Except that her home life isn’t so great either. She takes to silence as a way to cope with her pain. Slowly, the reader gets to know Melinda and her painful secret.
This books is perhaps the best incarnation of “show don’t tell” that I’ve ever seen. Also, Melinda is one of the most realistic teenage characters I’ve ever met. Here’s an excerpt that shows her internal voice:
They herd us into an assembly that is supposed to be a “democratic forum” to come up with a new school mascot. Who are we? We can’t be the Buccaneers because pirates supported violence and discrimination against women. They kid who suggests the Shoemakers in honor of the old moccasin factory is laughed out of the auditorium. Warriors insults Native Americans. I think Overbearing Eurocentric Patriarchs would be perfect, but I don’t suggest it.
The literary devices in this book are plentiful and executed flawlessly. There are lists and subtitles and grades and unconventional dialog. It all worked really well. This was a dark book, overall, but it was funny and tender too. My only complaint is that the ending was a little too, well, convenient. Still, this is a great book that I would recommend to teens and adults. I look forward to reading more by Anderson.
Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson
Other Reviews:
An Adventure in Reading
Becky’s Book Reviews
Book Addiction
Books on the Brain
The Hidden Side of a Leaf
The Joy of Reading
The Last Book I Read
Maw Books Blog
The Story Siren
Buy Speak at Powell’s Books or Amazon.com
{ 13 comments }
Sounds wonderful. I’ve been wanting to read some of Anderson’s work, but I think I’ll start with Wintergirls since it’s already in my TBR pile.
I really enjoyed this book as well. Far better than Twisted by Anderson.
Good review!
Glad you enjoyed it! This is one of my all-time faves in the YA genre. If you want something more light from Anderson, I really enjoyed Prom. Wintergirls is heavy like Speak, but also incredibly good.
Great review Jessica! I am looking forward to reading this book!
I read this a few weeks ago, but still haven’t written a review. I agree with your statement that it ‘is perhaps the best incarnation of “show don’t tell” that I’ve ever seen.’ I think that’s spot on.
This book is one of my all-time favorites. I’m willing to overlook the convenience of the ending because of the wonder that is the rest of the book.
Do you plan to read Catalyst? Same school, different characters.
I’ve got this on my TBR pile, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it, and about Anderson’s work in general. Thanks for the review!
I thought this was a powerful book. I just watched the movie, and I thought that was pretty good, too.
Excellent book! Have you watched the movie? My husband really liked it and wants to read the book after he watched it.
if you have only watched the movie then you need to read the book because the book is much better than the movie
If I live in Russia, how can I read the book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson in the original?
I love this book. Its one of my favorites, but I dont know why really. I read it in school my freshman year in high school, and I read it at least once a year.
Nice review! :)
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