| Title | : | Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1619698366 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781619698369 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 272 |
| Publication | : | First published November 20, 2012 |
Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal Reviews
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“Youth is not an excuse for insanity!”
As usual, when I don’t expect much from a book, it’s when it surprises me in the most pleasant ways.
Struck by Lightning was originally a screenplay and was thankfully developed into a novel written by
Chris Colfer, the popular Glee actor.
The book is written in a journal format by Carson Phillips, an extremely smart and ambitious senior student who has only one aim-to get into Northwestern and leave his sad hometown through all means possible, even if it means having to blackmail the popular kids (the stereotypes) of the school to help him come up with a literary magazine. (Contents of the literary magazine are included in the book and most of the entries are hilarious!) What originally was a selfish motivation has turned into something relevant and meaningful when Carson’s project later unveiled the realities behind the masks of these high school walking clichés.
The writing is impressively funny, sarcastic and affecting and I couldn’t count the number of times I was sniggering or laughing out loud at the hilarious lines and analogies but there were also many times where the story touched my heart and earned me a few tears. I also thought the plot was really unique and even though it didn’t end the way I hoped it would, I honestly thought it gave the entire story poetic justice.
"Life comes at you fast. It hits you and tries to escape and be expressed in any way possible. In a way, it's a lot like lightning." -
Okay, I'll openly admit it, I was very wary of reading this book, simply because it was written by someone from Glee and I really don't like Glee. However, I wanted a quick read so I picked this one up and gave it a go. I'll be honest and say that I'm glad I gave this book a chance - though it was pretty much what I expected, I wasn't disappointed.
Struck By Lightning is the journal of Carson Phillips, a high school senior who is determined to get into Northwestern and become a top editor. Carson is also a bit of an outcast at his school, meaning it's difficult for him to get any support in writing a literary magazine which is essential for his university application. As no one will willingly help him, Carson turns to blackmail in order to get other members of the school to write for his magazine.
Carson is a character who feels very real. Though he wasn't particularly nice at the start, I did understand where he was coming from a lot of the time and I think that a lot of people will be able to connect with him in some way - he did tend to say things that a lot of us probably secretly think to ourselves at some point. I don't know whether I liked or loathed Carson, my opinion upon him changed a lot throughout, though I am very glad that he did seem to grow as a person as he realised some of his naiveté in regards to other people. Initially, Carson was pretty self absorbed, intolerant and not very understanding of others - he just saw what people were like on the surface. The whole story is about Carson discovering more about himself and the others around him and it succeeds in doing that.
The rest of the characters in the story were complete clichés, but it actually didn't matter one bit - in fact, it just added more to the whole feeling of the book. Though the book is generally quite humorous and easy to read, it does touch on some serious issues, such as alcohol abuse and dementia. I think that Colfer did a good job of interweaving these storylines in, not allowing them to completely bog down the book, but to add a some integrity to the book. I was quite impressed with how Colfer made the story seem realistic, inserting all sorts of elements from teenage life.
Overall, this was a fun enough book and for anyone who wants a fun, quick read, this is for you - it's amusing, authentic and easy to read. If you're a fan of Chris Colfer, I'm pretty sure this would make the book even better! -
This is a short book,written in a journal style (for an easy,quick read perhaps) of a very young talented author and an actor
Chris Colfer. It is a story of an ambitious young man,who is desperately in need to get out of his small town,and wanted to go to Northwestern University to become the editor of The New Yorker.
Carson Phillips,the MC who is not really a likeable character because of his bitter attitude,would do any thing (even blackmailing the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal/magazine) just to bolster his career. But as I continue reading this book,I cannot hide the underlying sympathy I feel for Carson,and the great humor I especially admired about him. I did laugh and cried along with him,and I loved his relationship with his grandmother. Though his grandmother has a memory disorder,she's the only person who didn't give up on him.
The ending of this book,OMG the ending! I didn't see it coming!
. And knowing that it did happen at the ending is what made me reduced the rating.
Over all, I fully enjoyed this book in a LOL manner. Carson Phillip's witty sarcasm is what made the story truly hilarious! There's a strong message here,that the author wants all of us to understand..To enjoy life while we can,or while we're still living it..and that,we should never stop dreaming(even if achieving that dream fails),or else,we'll miss out on much life has to offer.
To my dear little sister,thank you so much for recommending and lending me this book!^^
I am highly recommending this inspiring novel as well,to all those who haven't read this yet! -
I will be honest, I'm a huge fan of Chris Colfer, but I read this book trying to remain very unbiased.
For SBL the book (which by the way, the movie seems a lot better than the book and I'm extremely extremely excited for it).
This book is too obvious. It spells out exactly what the character is feeling and thinking, which makes sense for a journal-entry novel... but Carson, the main narrator also has such a remarkable clarity of how he's transformed that it's entirely too unrealistic. It rings false.
(For as much as I harp on Perks of a Wallflower, this is one thing that Stephen Chbosky got right and did it well in his journal-entry style structure.)
In SBL, I get it, people can be self-aware, yes, fair enough, but it seems as if Chris Colfer writes revelations so blatantly obvious that the reader doesn't get to come to their own conclusion.
"Am I starting to care? Am I starting to see these shitwads as actual human beings?"
Yes, you are. But there's no need to say it outright. Let us and yourself come to that a little bit more organically, kid.
However, I will admit that the lesson of not to assume that other people's lives can't be shitty or shitter than yours is an important one, and one that I'm still learning.
Now, I will say this. I do enjoy the fact that the main character Carson is an asshole. He's not a bad person, but he is a jerk. But there are reasons and circumstances that make his doucheyness... understandable. Carson has the very superior view of himself compared to every other person... but I mean, that's honest. It's mean and selfish, but it's also something I've felt and it's something that's never acknowledged in mainstream media. This is, and it wasn't made to feel as if you were a horrible person.
I can see how Carson is grating, but I've also been an asshole, so I... get it. Let's face it, ambitious people are usually assholes. Hell, most people are usually assholes.
The narrative is also quite interesting. The prose could use a bit more tightening/editing or sophistication, but it is witty, intensely cynical and deeply deeply sad. It's very much a dark comedy where the idea and characters and plot are there, but the writing isn't.
And that makes me sad. When the characters and premise and plot is awe-inspiring, but the writing is weak. Execution is just as important, and it makes me sad for what could've been. Suzanne Collins, I'm still bitter.
But fuck, Carson is bitter. Bitter, bitter. And fucked up, dude. There is so much anger, holy.
The Clover Magazine's writing submissions were a little too... metaphorically obvious considering their writers... but fine, fuck, they were good. They brought the point home that other people feel shitty sometimes too and that no one's life is perfect. Again, a little too on the nose, but I highly enjoyed it.
Another unexpected thing, Colfer writes dementia and depression extremely well, subtle in a way much of the rest of the book isn't. His handle on adult relationships and characters and their issues is one that I wish could be explored more in-depth, because if there was ever a moment where Colfer's writing ability shone through... it was during those. -
When I found out that Chris Colfer wrote a book:
When I read said book:
That was not what I was expecting ... at all
But that's not saying I didn't like the book; on the contrary, I found myself really enjoying Colfer's book.
What I found surprising was the main character, Carson's overall ... douchiness (for lack of better words). He was well, most definitely not Kurt Hummel! He was conceited and so arragont and simply negative.
I loved him.
He was so genuine and I could visualize Carson roaming the halls of my high school, all dressed up in his pencil costume.
The novel was a short, quick and easy read. Carson is very witty and the humour had me stifling laughs as I read this novel underneath my history textbook (because really - who can focus on history when you can read about some shitwads?)
The plot line was quite easy to follow, and I loved reading about all the secondary characters. I found myself completely engrossed in the novel because it was just so darn addicting!
While Colfer does touch upon some serious matters, he keeps the overall tone of the book light and fun(ny). Seriously - Colfer is a funny, funny guy. Just a warning though, this book does have some swearing and suggestive material *raises eyebrow*. I found that it actually added to the story; made it more realistic for its high school setting.
The moral of the story was very clear. Don't assume that your life is any harder than someone else's because you don't know what they're going through. We all put on masks but underneath those masks, pain can exist.
Overall, a charming and humorous tale that I'm glad to have read. Of course, I have read better but if you're looking for a light read, look no farther.
I couldn't have expected anymore.
-
Listened to this short YA book from Hoopla. I dunno, some weird early writer missteps especially that ending. And the main character is an outcast but SO pretentious and SUCH a bully that I had no empathy for him. I realized after starting that I’d seen the movie. My Newest Literary Fiction Group in GoodReads is focusing on YA this month so get ready!
-
Original read April 2013
Re-read via audiobook August 2015
Meet Carson Phillips:
He doesn't hesitate to tell people what he thinks, is hardworking and very smart/goal-oriented. He can be a douche but there's something about him as well. Maybe not quite lovable or relatable but it's there.
His inner monologues had me laughing quite a bit and rolling my eyes.
Sometimes it can be a bit harsh and if he were my friend in real life he probably would have gotten a smack from time to time.
I love that Chris narrated this, it would have felt weird if anyone but him brought Carson to life for the audiobook. His narration made you feel like Carson was right there with you in the room:). You can tell he had fun recording it all.
It's somewhat different from the movie (the movie had some extra scenes and the ending was somewhat better) but not in a bad way.
Would recommend:) Happy reading!
HPBoy13's great review here -
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was really funny and a little inappropriate, but it was still a good book
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Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer details Carson Phillips' struggle to gain admission to the school of his dreams: Northwestern University. He absolutely abhors everyone in his small, narrow-minded town - everyone aside from his ailing grandmother and depressed mom. When he realizes that he needs to create a literary journal to bolster his chances of acceptance, he blackmails various people from myriad social groups to write for him.
I empathized with Carson. Trust me, I did. I don't live in the most conservative, small-minded town ever, but my area is far from New York City or Los Angeles. My yearning for college stems from my need to experience a different setting. In that respect I connected to Carson; his development in the ending spoke to me as well.
However, overall, I detested Carson. Lately I've read books with unlikable characters who are unlikable for no reason - like Carson, they're not fleshed out or written well. Carson castigates his peers for being immature and shallow and superficial, yet he embodies these characteristics as well. He starts rumors and treats his teachers with no respect. He makes snarky, cocky comments that do not contribute to his welfare or better his situation. Here's one passage I found unduly offensive:
"Personally, I don't buy 'rebellious phases.' I think they're just dramatic ways of saying, 'I have no real problems, so I'm going to dress differently and hurt myself so people think I'm more complex than I really am.' I'm sorry, you can kiss my a** with your 'inner turmoil.'
You want to be 'left alone'? You don't want to be 'understood'? Then stop dressing up every day like it's Halloween, you whiny little b*tch. Get over yourself, get some Zoloft, and stop being a f*cking eyesore to everyone around you."
What's ironic about this passage is that Carson himself often complains incessantly. Go figure.
Finally, a lot of the book felt fake. Carson would often randomly start preaching about accepting others or not being judgmental; then, pages later, he would go back to insulting everyone around him. Moments or characters that could have had significant impact or thematic importance were dealt with sparsely and with little detail, like Carson's decision to take antidepressants or Vicki's goth personality.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Watch the movie, but don't waste your money on the book. As other reviewers have stated, this book seems like it was produced solely to supplement the movie. A lot of the dialogue is exactly the same dialogue from the trailers and I could discern how script-like the book was in nature. Hopefully Chris Colfer writes a more relatable or developed story next time; I haven't been impressed yet, neither by his role on Glee nor his publishing of this book.
*review cross-posted on my blog
the quiet voice. -
I've been in a state of perpetual grief since Glee ended in March 2015, reading this book was supposed to help mend my broken heart and while it didn’t exactly heal me I did enjoy the reading experience.
I love Chris Colfer with all my heart so maybe I'm biased but I thought this book was great. It’s an entertaining, fast read that has a good balance of humour and depth. The main character, Carson Phillips, isn’t exactly a good person, but he’s relatable and brutally honest in a way that makes him captivating. Carson is determined to make something of himself and will do anything to get out of the small town he lives in, including but not limited to blackmailing a good chunk of his classmates. The struggle of an aspiring writer paired with a plot centred around blackmailing is right up my alley and while the book isn’t a literary masterpiece I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend reading this one, even if it didn’t cure my post glee blues. -
This book was terrible. Every single character is a cliche and a trope. Every plot line that unfolded was unoriginal and offered absolutely nothing new.
The dialogue made me physically cringe at times. It felt like a horrible teen after school special. The main character is generally unlikeable although occasionally he made me laugh.
I REPEAT, EVERY CHARACTER IS A CLICHE. the cheerleader. The idiot jock. The goth. The yearbook girl. The theater gays. It's like reading a horrible teen movie from 2002.
Yeah do yourself a favor and skip it. -
Last time I read this, I said that a review was coming soon. Well... it’s two months late, so who’s ready?
This book revolves around Carson Philips, the most negative, sarcastic person anyone could cross paths with. His dream is to become an editor for the New Yorker and a few other things that I can’t bing myself to remember.
He wants to enter his dream college calls Northwestern University in Illinois. He wants to do anything that will allow him to leave Clover, his bland hometown.
He is in a journaling club, however, that is no longer sufficient enough to guarantee a spot at the university.
He decides to start a literary magazine... but no one in his school is interested in ‘writing’. Carson is convinced that they would rather live AND die in Clover instead of actually doing anything with there lives.
So then... what’s the next step? Blackmail the popular kids and making sure that they and their ‘groups’ write for the magazine seems to fit.
This is honestly the funniest book with the most tragic ending, but it was all worth it. This one my favorite books!!!! -
Colfer's premise was almost interesting but the characters were too cliche and his "plan" fell together too quickly and easily. There didn't seem to be much development. This book was very obviously an adaptation of the screen play rather than the other way around. The dialogue was dramatic (his quirky jokes and pop references were cringe-worthy) and the scenes were sparse and shallow. Spoiler alert: killing your protagonist off in a ridiculous, comical way IN THE EPILOGUE is weird and did not make me sad. Perhaps, it is one of those books that only teens will like, but I think that only supports my opinion that it is not interesting or well-written.
-
So, I should say something clever here.
It was very good. Not only the story, but the writing as well, and it's such a pleasure, because that's what you see less often when it comes to good books.
If you think you can read it in two days, think again. It's not easy to stomach the venom it contains. A venom, that's more lethal than acid, wasabi and the strongest chili pepper mixed together. It's not an exaggeration.
A lot of readers find it hard to love Carson. Well, do you really think he should be loved? I think, he only needs to be accepted or understood, but not loved. This character is not about love.
But he can be accepted and understood. If you've ever been bullied, don't tell me you've never felt like Carson.
And also, there are the witty quips that make you laugh out loud.
My favourite part though, was the literary magazine. I'm glad it was included in the book.
And among all the venom and quirky lines, I hope you'll notice the message, that no matter what, just do what you believe in. -
3,5.
El final le ha quitado una estrella completa. No, me niego a que termine así D:< -
Honestly, the protagonist was quite rude and arrogant at times. I know not all main characters have to be likeable. However, he was just very predictable and uninteresting.
For the most part, it's a warm high school revenge/comedy story that I'll admit did make me laugh out loud at the beginning, however as the book went on the comedy became more predictable and therefore less funny (or maybe the American humour wasn't translated into British humour)
All things considered it was still a nice comfort read. -
Yeet the title makes sense at the end, its full of sarcasm and smartA$$ remarks, its funny.
-
I really like Chris Colfer, and think he is immensely talented, but there is just as much to criticise and analyse with this book as there is to praise. There is some wickedly dark humour in here which I love, especially pertaining to high school, but in the end the story seems to have no purpose. I am left baffled by what Colfer was trying to achieve.
The lead character of Carson Phillips is unlikeable. Yes, I get he was an outcast in his school and that led to him getting a certain enjoyment out of blackmailing his classmates. But the character lacked humanity - and there were no repercussions for him, nor did he ever really think about what he was doing to certain people.
The disparity between right and wrong gets even weirder when towards the end Carson gets some semblance of a conscience and wonders if what he is doing is right.
So, in the end I am left with a book that was equally amusing and frustrating. I like flawed characters, but you have to make them work. And the most amusing parts seemed to come from Meleria, the character Rebel Wilson plays in the film - and I'm just not sure whether I was picturing her deadpan delivery and that was amusing me more than the actual book was. -
I just hope there's a Daily Hell I can write for. I could do witty editorials like "Hell: Hath It Lost Its Fury?" and maybe weekly updates on who is torturing whom.
This is one of those books that leave me torn. Did I actually love (I did devour it in good time and putting it down was so hard) or hate (Carson sure isn't an easy character to deal with, he's a grade A asshole most of the time but has his moments) this? I can't tell. If you don't like the MC, loving a book can be difficult. This was had so much great things about it, though. The most important for me: The way it was told. Chris Colfer might have as well been reading this to me, I heard his voice inside my head when I read this. I heared the snark, the humor. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. So after writing this review I've set my mind on 4 stars. I'm taking one away for Carson. Maybe a reread someday will help me really make up my mind (or maybe the movie will). -
Me encantó. No se si estaba predispuesta por la peli o el libro es genial.. yo creo que ambas.
-
Reread: 8/15/16
I got the audiobook on sale at BAM and it was so worth it. This book was even better having the author, Chris Colfer, read it to you because it made the emotional impact of the character's actions and it just improved it greatly overall.
I really love this book. The part right before the ending, the pre-ending of you will, is truly amazing as Carson comes to terms with his life and how's it's playing out. The actual ending still hurts and makes you want to throw things.
Still love it even though I dropped a star.
Original Review: 10/24/14
Original rating: 5 stars.
I'm going to be honest: the whole reason I bought this book was because I saw it in Barnes and Noble and lost my junk because I had no clue Chris Colfer was an author. I’m a total Gleek and I found it so cool that one of them wrote a book. I was really hesitant to read this though; I was worried it was going to be horrible and that it would forever change the way I saw Chris Colfer and that my expectations were too high, etc.
Needless to say, as stated by the five star rating, I was not disappointed. So many things were beautiful about this books that I probably will have to gloss over some so that this review isn’t crazy long.
The story is about Carson Phillips, a high school student from a small town who dreams of writing for the New York Times. Carson is a bit like Holden from Catcher in the Rye, you love him sometimes and hate him at other times.
While I thought it was a bit refreshing, a narrator who wasn’t your average clichéd YA gold, some people may not love it as much as I do.
Another thing I really liked was the just utterly fantastic sense of humor in this book. I knew Colfer was funny from watching interviews, but I didn’t understand the full extent until I read this book. One of my favorite moments was when the teacher asked him in grade school what it’s called when “one thing takes away from another” and young Carson’s response was “homicide!” I literally could not eat while reading this book because I kept choking on my food from laughing too hard.
It’s hard to explain without spoilers, but in a way I kind of liked the idea of the ending. I didn’t like it (no one can actually like it, it’s almost sadistic) but the irony and the truth behind it was still pretty great.
Overall this book was mind blowing. Solid plot, realistic MC, and hilarious prose. No hesitation over full five stars. -
I'll be honest, I am biased towards this book simply because it's written by Chris Colfer, and in my opinion, anything to do with Chris Colfer is going to be incredible. This book does not disappoint. It's quick and easy to read; it's not claiming to be anything else either which is fantastic. The plot is so clever and original. It makes me really excited to see the film, so it definitely crosses off one of it's main functions! The writing is incredible; Chris Colfer does not shy away from his literary talents-I'm always blown away by how talented and clever he is. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone!
-
El final fue bastante, "¿eh?"
Es un libro muy sarcástico, muy cínico, detrás de la INMENSA dosis de esas dos cosas presentí bastante resentimiento, pero me gustó, distinto e inesperado.
Carson me resultó un poco odioso (si he de ser franca, no me extraña que todo el mundo lo odiara, pobre), pero me gustó mucho su evolución.
Y definitivamente Chris va mejorando como escritor. Además, para mí sus libros tienen un plus: mi mente los lee con su voz jaja
Reseña completa en LEE.SUEÑA.VUELA :D -
Let me just preface this by saying that it didn’t take me almost two months to finish this book. Quite the contrary; once I started it I finished it in about two days or so. It’s just that in my inheritantly lazy state of being, I haven’t bothered to write a review about it until now. But hey, at least I have a New Year’s Resolution for 2016!
The best way I can describe this book is what might have happened if Charlie Brown went to high school. But instead of calling himself Charlie Brown, he has now reincarnated himself into a boy named Carson Phillips. Some similarities still stay intact, which is the fact that nobody, NOBODY likes the kid.”Yeah, I’m a little bitter because I’m one of those kids: bottom of the food chain, constantly teased, despised as an annoyance to everyone around them...”
Carson Phillips is just trying to make it through high school alive and in one piece, so he can escape from his tiny town so he can attend Northwestern University and become a world famous journalist at the New York Times. He’s also president of the journalism club at school, which despite its prestigious sounding title, is a dismal failure. With that added to his list of problems, including a grandmother with Alzheimer’s, an alcoholic and depressed mother, and a father completely out of the picture, Carson’s life is basically a mess.
Things get even worse for Carson when he finds out from his advisor that he would have a better chance of getting into Northwestern if he submitted a literary magazine in order to show off his writing skills and how he “inspires others to write”, per se. But since Carson is basically hated by everyone at the school, his chances are looking pretty bad. That doesn’t stop him from finding ways to get his literary magazine off the ground, even if it means resorting to less savory methods....
With Charlie Brown, you can’t help but like him. He’s the cute little kid you just want to give a hug and tell him that everything will be OK. Carson on the other hand, is more like a prickly cactus stuck in the middle of a desert. You want him to be OK, but from a safe distance. I think I would have liked (and related to him), more if I were a teenager going through the high school experience. But since I’m a 21 year old who’s about to finish college, I’m having a harder time relating to high school kids. While teens who might read this relate to Carson, I found him to generally be annoying and contradictory to his statements. And you don’t necessarily want to see him succeed, which kind of sucks.
First off, Carson complains about how accepting we should be of all people (which is totally true). Especially where he’s coming from, considering how bullied he is. However, then he goes off making statements like this...”Personally, I don’t buy ‘rebellious phases’. I think they’re just dramatic ways of saying this,’ I have no real problems, so I’m going to dress differently and hurt myself so people think I’m more complex than I really am’ I’m sorry, you can kick my ass with your inner turmoil.
You want to be ‘left alone’? You don’t want to be ‘understood’? Than stop dressing up every day like it’s Halloween, you whiny little bitch. Get over yourself, get some Zoloft, and stop being a fucking eyesore to everyone around you.”
WOAH. Where the fresh hell did that come from? You talk about acceptance and tolerance, and then you just deride someone in this manner. It’s a direct contradiction to your statements. And then there’s this gem...”The Celibacy Club: A coven of very unattractive girls who find it easier to ‘stay pray’ and ‘save themselves’ than admit that no one wants to sleep with them.”
Yes, Charlie Brown, I do know sarcasm when I see it. And this ain’t sarcasm, that’s for sure.
Hey, how about some slut shaming just for kicks, huh?”A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a funny user name on the Clover High School website: YearbookGirl 69. I didn’t think much of it, a freshman slut under Remy’s rule, perhaps.”
So unlike Charlie Brown, it’s very VERY hard to like Carson Phillips. That’s pretty bad when you can’t even like the main character of the book,
Then again, it was hard for me to like any of the other characters as well. Unfortunately, they were all just typical stereotypes of people in high school. Mr. Colfer doesn’t flesh out or add to their characters in any way, shape, or form, so they’re just kind of flat affect and there to basically remind us how miserable they make Carson’s existence on this planet. You have the bitchy cheerleader, the dumb jock, the self-righteous know it all, the emo goth, the dramatic theater kid, the spacy weedhead, the dumb blond.... you get the idea. It’s like the author devoted so much of his energy into writing Carson that he had little energy to write about the other characters.
I think I would have liked this book more if I were an angsty teenager trying to find my place in the world and needed someone to understand the struggle. But since I’m not an angsty teenager trying to find my place in the world, this book ended up completely stereotypical and nothing extraordinary. I’d recommend this book for a teenager, but other than that, it’s not memorable.
The Movie:I probably shouldn’t even be saying this (it’s sacrilegious for a book lover to say this), but if you read the book, don’t bother even watching the movie. Or if you’ve watched the movie, don’t bother reading the book. Why, do I say? Because it’s the exact same thing, even down to the words of dialogue. It’s like the executives at the studio sat Chris Colfer down and said, “Hey bro, we know you can write, so why don’t you write a companion book to make us a little extra dough? You don’t even have to add anything new, just copy and paste the script and add still pictures.” So I can genuinely say that you won’t miss a thing if you skip the movie.
-
This was a lovely contemporary YA read, and it was actually a bit of a surprise coming from actor Chris Colfer!
Carson runs the school newspaper, finding stories to fill the pages by blackmailing his fellow students. He needs the paper to be a success in order to get his scholarship to college.
It's a coming of age story, that shows being ruthless isn't always the best approach when going after what you want, and that things never turn out the way you plan.
I was shocked by the ending, but it made for an interesting story, and separates it from all the standard high school books. Well worth a read! -
3.5
Un gran mensaje final. -
He aquí un descubrimiento muy interesante. Buscando algún libro escrito por un actor o músico para un reto, encontré este, escrito por Chris Colfer, actor de la serie Glee y cantante.
Lo escogí, principalmente, porque era corto y, además, parecía entretenido. Y ha sido muy buena elección de la que no me arrepiento.
Al principio puede parecer un libro más ambientado en el último curso del instituto enclavado en un pequeña ciudad norteamericana ficticia, llamada Clover, donde todos se conocen; con sus típicos y tópicos: animadoras, atletas descerebrados, marginales, góticos, profesorado desmotivado...
Pero realmente va más allá, ya que es una sátira sobre esa situación habitual y una crítica al sistema educativo.
Está narrado en forma de un diario que lleva el protagonista (Carson), cuyo sueño es poder entrar en una universidad de élite para cursar estudios de periodismo. Para aumentar sus posibilidades, es el director del diario escolar, preside el club de debate, el de escritura... pero no por ello se siente a gusto con sus compañeros, y viceversa, sus compañeros con él.
Además, su vida familiar tampoco le ayuda: sus padres están divorciados, vive con su madre, que no ha superado la separación, su abuela está en una residencia con Alzheimer,...
Todos sus anhelos, sus deseos, sus intenciones, los plasma en el diario, con una ironía fina y un gran sarcasmo.
Al escribir, se siente liberado por poder decir todo lo que piensa de sus compañeros, de su familia, resumiendo, de su vida.
Carson es muy sarcástico, y le lectura tiene diálogos muy elaborados, cuando explica las respuestas que ha dado a algún profesor en una clase o como se ha enfrentado a sus compañeros, llegando a arrancarme más de una sonrisa (no soy de reír a carcajadas!!), pero también, un poco deprimente en algunos momentos.
Resumiendo, me ha sorprendido muy gratamente y lo recomiendo. -
Imagine you are seventeen years old. You are finishing high school in a rural area, and your dream is not to work in the office or to milk cows, but to become a freelance journalist. You don't want to get stuck where you were born, with your mother, a drug addict, a father who is getting married yet again and a beloved grandmother who, thanks to her close relationship with Mr. Alzheimer, doesn't recognize you too often.
What are you able to do to pursue your dreams? Maybe blackmail your school students? Take the sedative medications your mum gives you? Rebel against everything? Yes, yes and yes.
I really like Carson's sick ambition, his hatred for his small town, playing with stereotypes. Once in a while we see that under the hard shell of sarcasm Carson is actually a kid who should not carry such a weight on his shoulders; his narrative, the further it goes, the less bitter it is, as if dulled by Xanax.
You won't find poetic metaphors, Broadway emotions or the spirit of Kurt Hummel (the author is portraying him in a tv show 'Glee'): do not look for them here, try to distance yourself from the TV screen. And believe me when I say that "Struck By Lightning" is not a perfect fairy tale with a moral, nor a parable - it's a satire.
