The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Well, I don’t think you’re going to like what I have to say about this book. I was disappointed. After so many positive and rave reviews of this book, I bumped it up in my queue so that I could get to this “awesome” book faster. But to my surprise, it was not what I thought.
I will begin by saying that the majority of the book was pretty good…entertaining and captivating. I found the feeling of peer pressure and longing to fit in a relatable subject. The drama of being a teenager was well conveyed and revealed what happens to people when they succumb to the peer pressures of high school. Sadly, I think these types of sexual situations happen more than we know. There are things that teenagers do that don’t always come to light. But, I also think that the spreading of rumors and the “mean girl” effect is a universal dreaded feeling. The author did a great job of describing this point of view from a teenager’s perspective.
The issue I have with this story is that the adult version of the protagonist was a total jerk! Even though she had some episodes of empathy, she was truly a snob. She was a terrible, daughter, fiancé, employee and overall person. She was even still trying to have an affair with her former teacher who was also married! I get it. She went through something traumatic. But just because she is mentally damaged doesn’t give her the right to be a bad person.
The other issue I have with this story is the improbability of the end. Really? Not only did you survive a gang rape but you also survived a high school mass shooting? Really?
My disappointment stems from the fact that the author revealed that she had been raped in real life as well. I think she really demeaned the openness and honesty that she conveyed during the rape ordeal. She diminished my compassion for her story. It just completely changed my perspective of the character and the author.
What was your initial reaction to this story?
If you had been the main character, what would you have done differently?
Why do you think she succumbed to the peer pressure so willingly and easily?
Did you feel sorry for her or did she make you mad?
What did you think about the school shooting scenario?
Did you like this book?
How do you feel about the author?
My mother was about to start the book club and the book she was going start with was the March book, “Luckiest Girl Alive.” I ordered a copy and mailed it to her. I started reading it myself and as soon as I read about Ani electrocuting her own vagina to get off in the first chapter, I hurriedly called my mom and told her “Abort! Abort!” This would definitely have not been a good book club intro for her. A little too edgy. This book is what I’d refer to as being a “fun, summertime read.” It was quick paced and fun, like “Devil Wears Prada” with an edge. I could have done without the infrequent sexually shocking comments. Not because I am a prude, but because it was unnecessary and not relevant to the story. It seems like sometimes the author is trying too hard. Trying to force feed the witty, cool and edgy.
I didn’t know anything about the story when I started reading it. Because of this, I had no expectations. I wasn’t sure where the book was going for the first few chapters. It seemed to be about the life of wealthy, self-centered twenty somethings. Until about 3/4 in to the book when it became more than that. And then the book went really fast and I couldn’t put it down.
If I had been the main character, I don’t really know if I would have done anything differently. Teenage years are so difficult. It is really hard to judge the actions of others, especially during that difficult period. I certainly don’t blame Ani for her sexual assaults. She was clearly the victim. To continue to be around those people after the fact and act friendly towards them is almost like Stockholm Syndrome. I think at that age you are willing to do almost anything and everything to fit in. Even to put up with people that demean you and treat you badly.
I felt sorry for teenage Ani and what she went through. Although it was hard to feel sorry for her at times because she was so mean and catty. Her high school also made me think of the movie “Mean Girls.” And at times Ani was one of the mean girls. It is not easy to root for a mean girl.
As an adult, Ani really grew into a full blown Mean Girl. She was arrogant and pretentious. It became even harder to sympathize with her character.
The school shooting scenario was shocking. I had no idea it was coming and it really surprised me. I am glad it was in the book, because it has become one of life’s sad realities that can’t be ignored. But it was very alarming. And it was written very graphically. I couldn’t put the book down.
Overall, I did like the book and I would recommend it to others as a quick and fun read, even amidst some difficult topics. It is not a literary masterpiece. But it was a book that helped me escape and take my mind off of things.