Contents Under Pressure
by Lara M. Zeises
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lara M. ZeisesEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-11-08
ISBN: 0440237874
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Reviews of Contents Under Pressure
Book Review: Alright, But Not Stellar
Summary: 3 Stars
Certainly Contents is a breeze of a read and more than appropriate for younger, more inexperienced readers. The subplot subject matter, an unexpected and out of wedlock pregnancy, is handled tastefully and with little preaching. But, there's little else to say about this book. I tried for a while to figure out what bugged me about this book, it was neither great or horrific, and I've narrowed it down to a few key points:
Lucy, the protagonist, is the only character I ever connected with and with a cast as large as the one chronicled in Contents, I expected more. I guess Lucy's your average coming of age character, uncertain, awkward, trying to find herself and the place(s) she fits in and struggling to keep up with her peers. I think it's fairly easy for most people to remember back to those days and empathize with her situation and Lucy's character seems to embody all those conflicting emotions. But this novel boasts a number of other characters we're supposed to connect with as well and, for me, that simply didn't happen.
Tobin, Lucy's love interest, seems sweet. But that's it. He's a sweet boy. Nothing more. He lacked the depth of personality that would have made him an impressive character and given the number of scenes he occupies he needed to be better developed. I really wanted to like him, to connect with him and see and feel all of the things Lucy did, I just wasn't given the opportunity.
Hannah, Lucy's brother Jack's pregnant girlfriend, is one of the better drawn characters but still there's something missing. Unfortunately she isn't given the opportunity to find her voice until the end of the book and by then it hardly mattered. What I read of her left me wanting more.
Jack. Oh, there is so much to say about Jack. He was one of the more irritating characters I've come across in recent times. Jack's moved home with Hannah, dropping out of college in the process, and begins to promptly act like an obstinate two years old. The author would have us believe that Lucy and Jack were thick as thieves, but that never comes through. What we're left with is a young man who picks ridiculous fights with his sisters and acts as if getting his girlfriend pregnant is a fate worse than death. Certainly I don't advocate getting your girlfriend knocked up, especially at such a young age, but stop your bellyaching and step up to the plate. Jack just couldn't manage to do that and, instead, sulked and whined at ever provocation.
The story could have been great, there was a wealth of material to work with, but it never got off the ground for me and I blame weak characters for that. Had there been more substance it very well could have been a slam dunk.
Summary of Contents Under Pressure
A fresh, honest look at the difficult choices and unexpected joys in a girl?s life under pressure.Lucy Doyle is about to explode. She?s sure her name might as well be Loser because she?s never, ever been kissed. To make matters worse, nearly all of her friends have left her behind for boys. Even Lucy?s favorite brother doesn?t seem to have time for her anymore. He?s just moved home from college with a distant new attitude and a big-haired girlfriend Lucy can?t stand. Freshman year is definitely not off to a good start.
So when Lucy attracts the attention of Tobin Scacheri, the junior everyone wants to date, she can barely believe her luck. Tobin?s cute and funny, and he might like Lucy as much as she likes him. But Lucy?s brother has a secret that will turn her already mixed-up world completely upside down. Now, Lucy must figure out how far she?s willing to take her relationship with Tobin?and how to deal with a brother who?s not as perfect as she thought.
From the Hardcover edition.
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