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  • Untitled

"The Adults" by Alison Espach

4/27/2013

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Title: The Adults 
Author: Alison Espach
Genre: General Fiction    
Pages: 336
Date published: 2011
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Recommended: Yes- but with the warning that this isn’t going to be in the canon anytime soon               


            I’ve come to the realization that I love a good “coming of age” story, so it’s only natural that I was instantly attracted to The Adults. The novel follows protagonist Emily Vidal as she matures in suburban Connecticut during the 1990s. The author, Alison Espach, describes Emily’s life through her early teens until her late 20s, as she struggles to accept her father walking out on her family.

            Simply put, Espach is an incredible writer. She’s witty, sharp and poignant in her rendering of the inner monologues of a fourteen-year-old girl. She handles such topics as suicide, death and the pains of adolescence with a droll (yet endearing) twist. I found myself having flashbacks to my freshman year of high school due to the wit with which Espach recreates the tone of a young teenager. Her ability to empathize with her protagonist is astounding; I have never had anyone capture my thoughts at fourteen as clearly as she does.

            However, the entire book isn’t relatable. I understand that pedophilia and student teacher relationships have been discussed extensively in other pieces of literature. But in this particular story, it quickly escalates into intense creepiness. Yet this particular student-teacher relationship forms part of the main story line. I can’t divulge more without giving away the plot, but at times, it made my skin crawl and felt unnecessary.

            For the most part, The Adults kept my attention. The beginning of the novel seemed promising, but once I hit the ending, I found myself sorely disappointed. Throughout the first few chapters, I could relate to the character’s tone and perceptions of the world, but by the end, I became so frustrated with her and her decisions that I couldn’t sympathize.

            The other large disappointment is the lack of a definite ending. I’m fine with novels ending in cliffhangers so as to provoke thoughtful ideas and discussion after the novel has concluded, but this novel doesn’t even have a stereotypical cliffhanger. More than an unclear ending, the novel leaves Emily struggling with a multitude of self-inflicted problems and no solutions. I felt like I had invested a lot of time into a protagonist with whom I was aggravated by the end.

            The only reason I would recommend this book is the writing style. The plot is decent, and the ending frustrating, but Epach’s talent with words and descriptions is incredible. Her wit and incredibly poignant prose are what kept me reading until the last page.



Review by Hallie Sullivan, A&S '15


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"Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling

2/17/2013

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Title: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
Author: Mindy Kaling
Genres: Humor, Memoir
# pages: 219
Date published: September 18, 2012
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended? Yes



As an avid fan of The Office and a recent follower of The Mindy Project, there’s a special place for Mindy Kaling in my heart. I have never been an autobiography-reading kind of girl, but after reading Tina Fey’s BossyPants, I decided to give the genre a chance. Coupled with the realization that Kaling recently ventured into the egotistical category, I had to read it. Let me tell you, it was far from disappointing.  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) was a hilarious depiction of Kaling’s life and her random tidbits of wisdom.


Kaling paints a picture of her life through self-deprecating humor. She talks about how much she admires her parents and the numerous times she embarrassed her brother in summer camp. She explains how rare it is to be an overweight Indian child and yet how her mother embraced her for it. She also humorously describes why romantic comedies are the best genre and what clothes every man should own. She strongly believes that JC Chasez was the cutest member of ’NSYNC and Converse sneakers have a lifetime of one year. With every topic Kaling hits on, whether it’s serious or ridiculous, she uses her humor and personable character to engage the reader. Kaling is a role model to all women due to her humility, intelligence, and work ethic. I not only admire her, but I wish she were my best friend.


I won’t lie to you; I could not put this book down. I read it in the gym, in between classes, even before bed. It took me a little less than two days to finally finish it. Obviously,  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) isn’t the epitome of classic literature, but it’s still a captivating book which I highly recommend. Kaling covers topics every young woman has thought about, but she does so with a hilarious twist. This is the perfect novel to finish in a few days and to pass on to your best friend. 


Review by Hallie Sullivan, A&S '15

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