One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies (2004) is a novel in verse by Sonya Sones. It is a young adult novel that tells the story of Ruby Milliken who is forced to go live with her famous movie star father, Whip Logan, in Los Angeles when her mother dies. Ruby is taken away from her friends and family, all of which she loves, and is forced to cope in the fake and artificial world of Hollywood. The novel is told mostly in blank verse with periodic interruptions of emails and letters Ruby exchanges with her friends. She soon finds herself torn between her old life and her new life.
 First edition | |
| Author | Sonya Sones |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Published | 2004 Simon & Schuster (US) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print Hardcover, Paperback |
| Pages | 272pp hardcover is 268pgs |
| ISBN | 1-4169-0788-2 |
| OCLC | 865218164 |
Plot
editFifteen-year-old Ruby reluctantly moves from Boston to Los Angeles after her mother passes away from cancer. She explains that her father, famous actor Whip Logan, divorced her mother before she was even born and the only time she ever saw him was in the movie theater. Another reason why Ruby is sad about leaving is her boyfriend Ray, whom she's in love with. Whip is extremely eager towards Ruby's arrival and insists on spending as much time with her as possible; making her resent the fact that he was never involved in her life before her mother's death. She starts her new high school, but feels out of place with the other students. She does however meet a fellow sophomore named Colette whose mother is also a celebrity. As time goes by, Ruby learns that Ray has been cheating on her with her best friend Lizzie. Whip is able to comfort her and eventually make her feel better. Ruby learns that while she was little, her aunt would arrange secret visit between her and Whip, and that her mother didn't want him involved in her life because he was gay. Ruby and Max, her father's assistant and also his partner in the story, have a very close relationship. The book ends with Ruby making up with Lizzie after she and Ray break up, and winning a leading part in Pygmalion in school along with her boyfriend Wyatt.
Reception
editA review in School Library Journal of One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies wrote "This is not just another one of those gimmicky novels written in poetry. It's solid and well written, and Sones has a lot to say about the importance of carefully assessing people and situations and about opening the door to one's own happiness.".[1] Booklist found it ".. an unusual combination of over-the-top Hollywood fairy tale and sharp, honest story about overcoming grief."[2] It was a YALSA 2005 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and one of 2005's Best Books for Young Adults.[3]
It has also been reviewed by Kirkus Reviews,"[4] Publishers Weekly,[5] Horn Book Guides,[6] and BookPage.[7]
References
edit- ^ Susan Scheps. "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies". School Library Journal. Media Source Inc. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ Gillian Engberg (2004). "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies". Booklist. American Library Association. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Great Stories CLUB". Tools, Publications & Resources. 2011-12-19. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. May 1, 2004. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
Short, stream-of-consciousness free-verse poems make up most of the narrative, by turns bathing readers in Ruby's emotions and treating them to very sharp, very funny observations about LA.
- ^ "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies". Publishers Weekly. PWxyz LLC. June 21, 2004. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.
- ^ "One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies". Horn Book Guides. Media Source Inc. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
Sones's window on the celebrity lifestyle offers readers a guilty pleasure, but Ruby's cynical stance grows tiresome in this predictable free verse novel.
- ^ Dean Schneider (July 2004). "Finding a home in Hollywood". bookpage.com. BookPage and ProMotion, inc. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
Sonya Sones is one of the leading practitioners of the novel in verse for young adult readers, and readers will enjoy this new book every bit as much as her previous novel, What My Mother Doesn't Know, a huge hit with teens.
