Dreamland (reissue) by Sarah Dessen
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Book Reviews of Dreamland (reissue)
Book Review: Fantastic. Beautiful. Read This!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was fantastic, I only wish there might've been a part two. It was like fantasy mixed with reality...sort of. It throws reality in your face. It takes a real look into an abusive relationship so don't be suprised if you find it a little depressing. I admit it starts off a little slow but in the end it's worth it. Kudos!! Read this you won't regret it.Book Review: dreamland
Summary: 1 Stars
seems rediculasly pointless so far. not interesting badly written.noting hsa happened in the past 150 pages.Book Review: Dreamland is Amaaazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Sarah Dessen's Dreamland is an amazing story that many young adults and adults should readBook Review: Tear Jerker :]
Summary: 5 Stars
Although at times the main character Cait frustrated me because I couldn't understand why she would stay in this abusivie relationship, it truely was a great book. A true tear jerker for me :]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.