Mary's Review: Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Ms. Anderson, famous for her acclaimed book Speak, seems to be rather at a loss for words. Twisted has a somewhat meandering plot, and the novel suffers for it. Things happen of course-the narrator is framed for photographing the girl of his dreams naked and unconscious at a party, battles it out with his workaholic father, and contemplates committing suicide. But the question about it all seems to be "So what?" Surely the audience is supposed to care that all of this is happening, but by the time enough sympathy is darned for them to actually do so the novel is practically over. It's doubtful that many readers will make it for enough to begin to care. "This book is not suitable for children" the fly page boldly states. And yet as grown up as this novel tries to be, it never quite stops handling the issues with kid gloves.
Final Verdict: 2Q, 3P