The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan
4/5 stars
Alfred A. Knopf, 2013
304 pages
YA Contemporary
Source: Received an ARC from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for stories set at boarding schools and I read enough positive reviews of this to want to check it out. I'll admit that this might have been a better book to read on a chilly, snowy night but I live in California so I don't get many of those and just plunged ahead with this fast, absorbing read on a weekend.
It tells the overlapping tales of two male seniors at an elite boarding school in New England. Duncan is dreading his approaching senior year with the pressure to produce a tragedy paper, the standard senior assignment there as well as facing nervousness over what room he'll receive and what legacy he'll receive from the previous occupant. He is overwhelmed to receive the room of Tim, whose senior year provides the framework for Duncan's tragedy paper. Through a set of CDs narrated by Tim, Duncan receives some answers that allow him to come to terms with tragedy.
Tim is an albino, which has marked him out as different for his entire life. But on his way to a new school, he meets Vanessa and dares to hope for a romantic relationship. Once they're on the campus, she is his friend but she sticks to her jerky boyfriend even as their secret friendship flourishes. One night though changes everything; this is also the night that hangs over Duncan's head and that the tapes bring him closure about.
As I said, I found this to be a very absorbing read; I was barely able to put it down. Although I normally skip over literary fiction preferring a plot-driven story, I thought this book was not too difficult while still being thought-provoking. I didn't feel very connected to either of the leads but I had sympathy for their plights. Both have a lot hanging over them and it tugged at my heartstrings.
But for a book with a title as dramatic as The Tragedy Paper, I was expecting an ending that was, well, more tragic. When I hear tragedy, I think Hamlet with almost everyone dying and, I don't want to spoil anything but, that is not exactly the case here. I just feel like more should have been at stake and I felt a little let down with the ending.
Overall: An approachable YA literary title that should especially please fans of boarding school settings.
Other Opinions:
A Reader of Fictions
Good Books and Good Wine
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
Shooting Stars Mag
For some reason, I started this book but didn't connect with the story. I didn't finish it :-(
ReplyDeleteThat's okay, not every book works for every reader. Hope what you're reading now is good!
DeleteWhen I first heard of this book I felt sure that there would be some connection with Macbeth because of the character names. I am still not completely sold on reading this book but I may give it a try by checking it out from the library sometime. I am a sucker for secrets and I kind of want to know what happened to Tim.
ReplyDeleteThere's a little mention of Macbeth as the English teacher comments on the names but the themes of each story are very different.
DeleteWell sorry the ending wasn't as tragic as could have been, but the fact that overall you were absorbed in the story is a good thing
ReplyDeleteI may have expected a bit more for the ending but it was still a good read.
DeleteJeez, every time I glance at a review for this book I kick myself because I still haven't started it yet! It sounds like something I'd love. I appreciate the warning about the "not so tragic" thing, though--I sort of expected that, too. nicely reviewed!
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Well, get on it Wendy :) I hope others are willing to check it out.
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting read, Stephanie! I haven't read any stories about anyone dealing with albinism and it sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it and found the whole thing quite compelling. A great, surprisingly fast read!
DeleteThanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteI, too, as you know, really liked this book. It managed to be both engaging and literary, which can be tricky to pull off. Like you, though, I did lack the connection to the main characters, even though I sympathized with their plights.
Of course! I'm trying to make sure to link as much as possible and I really liked your review.
DeleteI have heard such good things about this book! I love boarding school settings as well. And this book hasn't gotten a whole lot of press (or at least I haven't noticed it) yet it gets strong reviews. I love books like that, love the ones that don't get caught up in the hype but get plugged by readers on their own merits:)
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
It's definitely not a buzzy book but I thought it was pretty good. And as mentioned: boarding school!
DeleteI have SO been wanting to read this and still... have not gotten there. I keep saying I'm going to get my library card and this has failed to happen too. I love that this has such a different premise and that crazy feeling when you don't want to put a book down? I LIVE FOR THAT FEELING.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!
You don't have your library card? The first thing I did when I moved to my new town was get a library card-get on that girl!
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