ARC Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
10:00
Series: None
Author: Nicola Yoon
Published September 3rd 2015 by Corgi Childrens
Goodreads Synopsis
Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddie, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. But does Maddie dare to step outside her comfort zone?
Everything, Everything is about the thrill and heartbreak that happens when we break out of our shell to do crazy, sometimes death-defying things for love.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Considering I had just read another hyped book that didn't live up to expectations, I was a bit worried to start this. However, it was just as amazing as I thought it would be. Madeline was a wonderful protagonist, one I really started to care for. I wanted her to have freedom just as much as she did. Seeing her question her life as she'd known it, and wish for more, was exactly what I wanted it to be. When she finally ventured out of her protective bubble, I was on the edge of my seat hoping nothing bad would happen, but knowing at the back of my mind that something must go wrong.
Madeline's relationship with Olly was beautiful. They started off by miming to each other through the window, then IMing and emailing, until they finally met in person. Olly was someone who wasn't without his own problems, but he thought more of Maddy's care and safety than his own. The very moment that Maddy runs outside to see if Olly was ok, was one that seemed like it was made of a romantic movie - it was that beautiful. Though Maddy hadn't really considered leaving the house before Olly arrived, not everything was about him. It was just that knowing Olly made her consider what was outside, and whether or not she was willing to risk her life just to enjoy life.
The plot twist was something I was not expecting, at all. Just paragraphs before it was actually announced did I consider it a possibility, and I'm still in shock over it. I can understand the motivation for doing something so extreme, but a little part of me still hates Madeline's mother for what she did. I'm glad it all came out in the end, though, and I hope Madeline can fully come to terms with what this means for the future.
The writing throughout the whole book was really enjoyable. It was the kind that allows the reader to read quickly, but still retain all of the important information. The inter spaced little asides from Madeline made me feel as if I knew her much better, like she was my best friend.
One thing I would've liked that was missing, would've been for the author to have explained Madeline's condition a bit more. I feel as though I still don't really understand the condition, and because of that, something was lacking from the story. Also, why was everything in the house white: white clothes, white food, white walls? Madeline obviously wasn't allergic to colours, as she bought brightly coloured t shirts later on, used laptops, phones, TVs, etc., and made architectural models for her school work. This just seemed a bit weird to me.
Overall, Everything, Everything was a beautiful written and executed book. It definitely lived up to the hype, and I'm extremely grateful to have been able to read it. This is one book that I think is perfect for all ages, and for all types of readers. I would definitely recommend it, though it was not without its shortcomings.
Dates Read:
August 3, 2015
Rating
4 Stars
August 3, 2015
Rating
4 Stars
2 comments
I assumed it was so the mom could see dirt, if there was any? Also the lack of color kind of symbolized the way Maddy's life was sealed up and separated from everyone else.
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
Yeah, that kind of makes sense. It just seemed weird to me at the time.
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