Looks by Madeleine George

Looks by Madeleine George


Release Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Puffin USA
Rated: YA 12+
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Buy: Amazon ❘ The Book Depository
Goodreads ❘ Website

Despite her massive size, Meghan Ball is the most invisible person at Valley Regional High. People say things in front of her as if she doesn't exist. And most of the time, she feels like she doesn't - until Meghan sees Aimee Zorn. Aimee is as skinny as Meghan is large, and as outwardly angry as Meghan is inwardly sad. Meghan instantly recognizes a kindred spirit in Aimee, another person using her body to say what she cannot. Alone, they are powerless, but together, Meghan and Aimee join forces to get sweet revenge against the one girl in school who hurt them both.

Looks by Madeleine George has been in my review pile for AGES now, and I'm glad I can finally post a review on it.
This book was AMAZING. Seriously, like one of those deep-thoughtful novels, but of course, with revenge and some delicious humor. This book has won some awards and it's not hard to see why. It looks at some issues, like bullying and eating disorders, which show the lives of two very different girls, and how they're affected by the same person.


Meghan is HUGE. Like, huge HUGE. But despite the fact, she remains invisible. Which apparently, is a pretty good thing, because she can go unnoticed and hear things without anyone knowing she was there at all. It's sad hearing the account of what happened to Meghan in the past, and how she became like this. No one ever saw her from then on...except for one girl: Aimee.
I have to say, I loved Aimee's story much more than Meghan's. I loved hearing about her "food" allergies, the visits to her dad, and her poetry is AWESOME. I like her headstrong ways and her "I don't give a crap" attitude. If I had to have anyone as a friend, it would probably be her.


I just felt that somewhat, the link between Meghan and Aimee was missing. I thought there would be more of a deeper friendship, other than the plans for revenge, and of course eventually hanging out with each other. I think that this book just missed out on this. Other than this, the book was so beautifully crafted and described. George's descriptions made me imagine this book so clearly, and really made me feel like I was there along with Aimee and Meghan plotting against the inevitable.


Overall, Looks is for anyone– anyone who feels like they need motivation, anyone who's going through eating disorders, anyone who's being bullied, or anyone who wants a really good book which can make them want to read it over and over again. Madeleine George has written a fabulous novel which will make the reader fall in love with it's characters and story.

***

If you like this, try...

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson ◆ Goodreads
• Paper Towns by John Green ◆ Goodreads
• This Girl Is Different by JJ Johnson ◆ Goodreads