Butter by Erin Jade Lange
A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans? With a deft hand, E.J. Lange allows readers to identify with both the bullies and the bullied in this all-consuming look at one teen's battle with himself.September 18th 2012 by Bloomsbury
Source: Netgalley
image and description from Goodreads
This is such a unique premise. Morbid and shocking, but I couldn't look away. Butter had some major issues, his weight, the bullying, the way they almost seemed to see him as a mascot, as well as his self-esteem, but he is a likable narrator, and it felt seamless being in his head.
At first I couldn't see his appeal to Anna but as the story went on, I could understand that it didn't in fact come from nowhere or from purely physical aspects, even though that is certainly a factor. It broke my heart their different interactions.
I really like how Butter didn't seem to want the readers pity, he wanted their respect and to look past the outside. It really was just telling a story. Yes its about obesity, yes it is about bullying and being bullied, yes it has a message in it, but it is honest, it is gritty and it is thankfully laced with hope even in the darkest moments.
That said, this is a dark book. It deals with bullying, suicidal thoughts, and other mature themes with some gritty, disgusting scenes. But Erin writes it beautifully in a manner that I just could not stop reading until I found out what happened to Butter.
I really like how Butter didn't seem to want the readers pity, he wanted their respect and to look past the outside. It really was just telling a story. Yes its about obesity, yes it is about bullying and being bullied, yes it has a message in it, but it is honest, it is gritty and it is thankfully laced with hope even in the darkest moments.
That said, this is a dark book. It deals with bullying, suicidal thoughts, and other mature themes with some gritty, disgusting scenes. But Erin writes it beautifully in a manner that I just could not stop reading until I found out what happened to Butter.
Bottom line: I've never read anything quite like it and I couldn't look away.
Find Erin:
site: http://erinlange.com/
blog: http://www.butterslastmeal.com/p/website.html
twitter: https://twitter.com/erinjadelange
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinJadeLange
My question to you, my lovely readers: Find Erin:
site: http://erinlange.com/
blog: http://www.butterslastmeal.com/p/website.html
twitter: https://twitter.com/erinjadelange
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinJadeLange
Would you watch something like this, like a train wreck you can't look away from?
I haven't seen this book before (note to myself-visit netgalley more often) but it really seems interesting! :) While I was reading your review it reminded me of Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
Tanja @Ja čitam, a ti?
Woah, sounds intense. I like those type of books though. It makes me think I'll feel sick to my stomach at some point though...
ReplyDeleteI could never watch something like this; read about it, I do that quite often, I suppose, so read definitely. Watching would be horrific though.
-Lauren
I like that it deals with a lot of serious and relatable issues. I'm definitely intrigued by this unique premise. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThese books tend to be my favorites. Like 13 Reasons Why, they deal with tricky issues and they make you look at things you don't want to. Things that everyone needs to look at once in a while. Awesome review.
ReplyDeleteC.J.
Sarcasm&Lemons
Awesome review and I like the title. This sounds like it has depth and a unique story line:)
ReplyDeleteI still don't think I'm brave enough to read this. I already feel bad for the kid and his need to eat himself to death just to prove a point. However the subject of bullying and teen obesity is relevant and as far as that's concerned, I'm all for the book and the message it wants to share with its audience.
ReplyDeleteWow this sounds crazy and wild. I'm so intrigued by the concept. Thanks for putting it on my radar. If I come across it, I'd probably give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can read this book, much less watch something so awful. I can't believe when people watch youtube vids of executions and such. I'm not an awful spectacle sort of gal.
ReplyDeletei frequently read dark and mature YA but i\m so frightened to read and i did not request it. mad i did not
ReplyDeleteamazing review
This book sounds so dark and thoughtful. I'm really shocked that an author can think of something this heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteI would usually not try this, but since it sounds like it is one that is unique and penetrating, I am considering to read this.
Angie @YA Novelites
I requested this, wow! I did not read the blurb. I read your posting and I am intrigued but it also sounds a bit awful...yet I am intrigued....
ReplyDeleteWonderful posting!!
Michelle
I'm seriously afraid to read this. I'm worried about how it turns out! Glad to see you enjoyed it Brandi. :)
ReplyDeleteThis book just seems a bit too morbid to me. I mean, I've read books about bullying and depression and all that stuff, but eating yourself to death live on the internet? No, thanks. I'm glad that you enjoyed it, though! Great review, Brandi!
ReplyDeleteFreakY! And why would anyone watch?
ReplyDeleteI have this one on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this one since I first herad the premise. I love dark and gritty stories and I can't wait to see what this story delivers. I'm glad that it's one of those stories that you can't just look away from. FF
ReplyDeleteFF
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting premise! I don't know if I could handle reading something like this, you know? A train wreck you can't look away from, ouch! It's like gawkers on the highway that stop to look at accidents, back everyone up for miles to make them late. It's not worth it in my opinion, but then again, I also don't really like morbid things. HAH!
This does seem really interesting though. It's not something I'd want to watch on the internet, but it's a book I may read to read something DIFFERENT. Thanks for the review!
I've heard of this book, but I had absolutely no idea what it was about until now. I made need to check it out. I think that I might could look away, but there's also a very large possibility that I wouldn't be able to. I guess that I'll have to read it and find out. ;)
ReplyDeleteFreebie Friday. :)
I've actually never heard of this book before. Looking at the cover and then reading the premise.. WOW.. totally different. I saw butter and thought light and fluffy read.. from your review I can tell that's not the case lol!! Hmmm I might look into this one.
ReplyDeleteFreebie Friday!
I have heard about this book & the aspect of killing urself through food, is very weird & interesting. I don't know if I would like to see someone kill themselves with food but the concept sounds interesting. I didn't know their was even a love aspect to this book, till i read this review @_@ SO thanks & I will be reading this as SOON as it's out!
ReplyDeleteFreebie Friday! =D
FREEBIE FRIDAY!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique story line and it touches on some real emotion. I don't think I would be able to just stand back and watch or join in on the rallying. I delt with death at a very young age and it's something that still haunts me to this day and it's shaped part of who I am. Any death, or watching people harm themselves or go down hill scares me. Life is precious and that is something I would try to get across to this character
freebie friday :) Thanks so much for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteI can totally see myself watching a train wreck type thing. In fact I do it all the time with reality tv. There is just something about it that I find so addictive.
Thanks for the great review, I hadn't heard of this book before yet :)
Great review, Butter sounds like a book that I will have to start early in the day, so Im not up all night finishing it. I wanna cry just from reading your review. Poor kid. FF Thx for giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds so emotional and shocking. The premise is definitely unique. I'm intrigued. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteFreebie Friday! :D
Maybe. I think if I did I would be scared for life. Sounds like a lot of tense emotions.
ReplyDeleteFreebie Friday. :D
I know you didn't require both, but I really wanted to see what Butter was about, too :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes narrated stories fall short, but it sounds like Butter would actually be more powerful as it has him being the voice the reader hears.
Yes, Butter has got to be a truly emotive, powerful and painful novel, but maybe it's one we all *need* to read. <3
Friday Freebie
GFC: Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com
I haven't heard much about this one and have been curious. It sounds so heartbreaking! I would certainly hope I wouldn't watch but I am ashamed to say I was a bit fascinated by the Charlie Sheen meltdown last year. That was definitely a train wreck! Thanks for your review and offer!
ReplyDeleteFriday Freebie
This has an interesting and unique premise. I'm glad you liked Butter can could get into the story. Another reader told me she didn't like or connect with Butter and that had made me not want to read it. I love all the books coming out that are dealing with bullying and other realistic raw issues.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I just started reading Butter, I am on chapter 5. It is a hard book to read but like you said, it is hard to look away. My heart goes out to this boy. I can't wait to finish it!
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