Search - Prep

Very well written, this book felt in many places like a memoir rather than a fictional account. It's a coming of age story with a twist: although told in the first person and the present tense, the narrator's voice is obviously a bit older and wiser than the main character, viewing her own struggles and triumphs with an eye that is sometimes sardonic and sometimes wistful.

This is a great book. I thought it was well-written, and I was truly engaged in the life of the main character. I honestly couldn't put this book down and finished it in a few days. I could relate to all the emotions the character went through--in my past and present. I really loved this book!

I had a really hard time finishing this one. The main character was full of teenage angst, but it was more unsettling than it should have been. She was so uncomfortable in her skin that it bothered me. Yes, every one feels that way from time to time, but for 4 years? That was a bit much. If there had been some clues as to WHY she was so filled with angst and unhappy with herself it might have helped. But as it stands, I didn't get any reason for her behaviour and so I didn't understand or care for her in the end.

Oh, how this brought me back. It reminded me more of my college years than high school, since I didn't go to boarding school during those years. Another reviewer said that the narrator was so uncomfortable in her own skin that it was unsettling. I agree with this - it was so painful to read sometimes. But, I was that girl, and so a lot of those thoughts and sensations really resonated with me. I liked this book enough to start looking for others written by this author.

Loved this book! First discovered Curtis Sittenfeld through American Wife, which I also loved. Read Prep and Man of My Dreams, and Prep is definitely my favorite out of those three. For anyone who has gone off to college or prep school and felt like they weren't quite fitting in the way they thought they would, this is a perfect read.

An interesting read about a middle-class girl's experience at a prestigious boarding school from her freshman year to graduation.

The book is from the protagonist's perspective as she reflects back on her insecurities, challenges, classes, students and friendships. Sometimes its hard to like her. Sometimes you feel sorry for her. Sometimes you feel her pain. Sometimes you appreciate her sincere honesty.

I wouldn't call this a 'feel good' sort of fiction, but I would call it a possible realistic portrayal of girl who struggled through her teenage years with identity, love friendship, and family. The backdrop for the struggles just happen to be at a boarding school.