Dreamland (reissue)
by Sarah Dessen
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sarah DessenEdition: Paperback
Published: 2004-05-11
ISBN: 0142401757
Number of pages: 256
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Puffin
Book Reviews of Dreamland (reissue)
Book Review: Dreamland
Summary: 4 Stars
The topic of Dreamland breaks off from the rest of Sarah Dessen's novels in dramatic fashion, focusing on what would happen if Sarah's usual soul searching female lead fell for an abusive boy instead of the likable types we all know and love. What would happen then? How would the story change?
Abusive relationships are difficult for most who haven't been through them to process clearly, and in this regard I think Sarah Dessen does a good job of situating the characters and plot that lead to how such a relationship blossoms under the extreme stress placed upon Caitlin. Caitlin goes through the story bumping into things, becoming involved in things she doesn't necessarily like (Cheer leading, for instance) and insisting that they "just happened," as if she had no say in the matter. The same is true for her relationship to Rogerson, which "just happens" one day and manages to evolve because Rogerson is very intriguing. He seems to know the answer to any trivia question ever conceived, which Caitlin finds impressive, along with his wild hair and successful private school life. He's smart as a whip and definitely mysterious, a recipe for being a heart breaker. Caitlin is swept away quickly and shoved under before she knows it. Rogerson may be intriguing, but he's an obsessive type that leads quickly to his placing non-existent blame on Caitlin, and she suffers physically as a result.
Despite this, she can't break away. She's under water, drowning in Rogerson's abuse and unable to help herself or reach out for help. Instead she covers up the bruises and delves deeper into the relationship, seeing no other option for what to do. She becomes increasingly stressed, anxious, and pushes away her friends, doing anything she can to keep Rogerson happy as the cycle continues to spin out of control.
The cycle is an old one, but Dreamland makes it fresh and disturbing. Some readers have complained that Rogerson's voice is drowned out in the last half of the book, when the abuse starts, but I find this natural in abusive relationships. It's very much a lonely experience, even when it has very much to do with another person. Rogerson's voice is blacked out when the abuse starts, mainly because Caitlin, as the victim, is focusing on her pain, her love, her path and wondering how on earth she can finally wake up and surface from a relationship that has her head shoved underneath the water.
It's a must read for teenage girls, although I'd suggest a parent read it along with them and discuss its contents.
Summary of Dreamland (reissue)
Strange, sleepy Rogerson, with his long brown dreads and brilliant green eyes, had seemed to Caitlin to be an open door. With him she could be anybody, not just the second-rate shadow of her older sister, Cass. But now she is drowning in the vacuum Cass left behind when she turned her back on her family's expectations by running off with a boyfriend. Caitlin wanders in a dream land of drugs and a nightmare of Rogerson's sudden fists, lost in her search for herself.Why do so many girls allow themselves to get into abusive relationships--and what keeps them there? In this riveting novel, Sarah Dessen searches for understanding and answers. Caught in a trap that is baited with love and need, Caitlin must frantically manage her every action to avoid being hit by the hands that once seemed so gentle. All around her are women who care--best friends, mother, sister, mentor--but shame keeps her from confiding in any of them, especially Cass, her brilliant older sister, whose own flight from home had seemed to point the way.
Dessen has here created a subtle and compelling work of literature that goes far beyond the teen problem novel in a story rich with symbolism, dark scenes of paralyzing dread, quirky and memorable characters, and gleams of humor. With the consummate skill and psychological depth that brought her praise for Keeping the Moon, she explores the search for self-identity, the warmth of feminine friendships, and the destructive ways our society sets up young women for love gone wrong. (Ages 14 and older) --Patty Campbell
Rogerson Biscoe, with his green eyes and dark curly hair, is absolutely seductive. Before long, sixteen-year-old Caitlin finds herself under his spell. And when he starts to abuse her, she finds she's in too deep to get herself out...
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