Glass Review
Glass is the fantastic sequel to Crank, and continues to chronicle a girl's downward spiral into the world of drugs and addiction. Surprisingly, I preferred it to Crank, and I think that's largely due to Hopkins evolving as a writer. It resonated with me more as a reader, and I loved getting an opportunity to spend more time with Kristina and her family.
As was the case with Crank, Glass is not an easy or pleasant story to get through. It can, at times, be very difficult to read, especially as Kristina finds herself once again addicted to the monster. No amount of family advice or help can put her back on the right path, and this becomes apparent when she all but ceases to care for her own child.
I did find myself liking new boy Trey, and whether that's a good thing or bad, I don't know. He's an incredibly flawed character, and is in no way the person Kristina needs at that point in her life. There's never any doubt that he's a bad influence, though he does seem to be a strangely good fit for her. He at least tries to be supportive, and I believe his heart is in the right place. It's just a shame he can't kick crank and, in doing so, show Kristina that it is possible.
This series, along with Hopkins' verse writing, absolutely fascinates me. For me, it's a voyeuristic look into the lives of teenagers who desperately need help, but who can't stay away from drugs long enough to get it. Their stories are hard-hitting and important, and they should be a permanent fixture on school library shelves everywhere. If ever there was an author or a series of books with the power to educate teens on the ramifications of substance abuse, it would be Ellen Hopkins and the Crank series. I just hope these books continue to get the respect they deserve, as they really do have the ability to help and change lives.
Glass Feature
- ISBN13: 9781416940913
- Condition: New
- Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Glass Overview
Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.
Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.
Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.
The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Glass - Mrs. Magoo - California, United States
Review from [...]
Title: Glass
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Boys & Girls, 12+
Sequel to: Crank
Summary: Kristina's life is finally back on track. She is taking care of her baby boy, Hunter, and is no longer strongly addicted to meth. It seems like things might be back to normal again... until she falls under crank's spell again. Just like before, Kristina finds herself drowning in her addiction.
Bree is back, and Kristina can't control her. Meth pulls her so far under that she is no longer fit to be a mother, and her own mother kicks her out of the house, assuming full responsibility for Hunter. However, Kristina/Bree still manage to find room and board, and her addiction continues.
But is she taking it too far? Buying and selling meth is illegal, and Kristina/Bree is getting more and more reckless. After a while, she becomes desperate. She needs money and she needs meth, never mind how she gets those two things...
My thoughts: While I continue to enjoy Ellen Hopkins's poetic style, I didn't think Glass was as good as Crank. The first in the series was more interesting to me because it showed Kristina's downhill spiral, while Glass was following Kristina while she was way down at the bottom.
Nevertheless, the whole series made me interested in the rest of Ellen Hopkins's work. I love her writing style and, although the premises of some of her stories are slightly disturbing/depressing, I still enjoy reading them.
Pure Imagination Reviews - Lori Lawson - USA
In Crank, Kristina was introduced to the monster. In Crank I still felt some sympathy for her. Her life was spiraling out of control. She was young and made some mistakes, but she definitely wasn't past the point of no return. In Glass, my sympathy was gone. Kristina knew exactly what she was getting herself into. She knew exactly what kind of pain she would cause everyone, including her child. She knew what the monster was doing to her body, yet she did it again and again..and again. Her self destructive and self centered behavior take center stage in this book.
I was going to say that I still enjoyed this book immensely, even with Kristina's stupidity, but enjoy is the wrong word to use for this book. It's hard to enjoy a book about drug addiction. Although, I can't think of another word to use. It's like a train crash. You know that something awful is eventually going to happen, but what can you do to stop it? I can't wait to read Fallout, and get to the end of Kristina's story. I honestly hope that it is a happy ending, but I'm not sure if it can be.
Once again I must say that, Ellen Hopkins writing is incredible. I've never read a verse novel quite like this. It's beautiful, and powerful, and terrifying all at the same time. This book is an anti-drug. It should be required reading for teens. I beg you, teen or adult, to read Crank. You won't be disappointed.
Great but Missing Something - Britnie R. Smith -
I read crank first. I got it from a friend and in the same day another friend had glass.I read them both in one day. I used to be addicted to meth and so the book appealed to me. I loved the books and I couldnt put them down. i kept hoping there would be a turn around and the girl would finally get off meth, but the simple fact is life isnt always beautiful and the story is true and the author kept it true. She did a good job of describing what its like on meth except for the wigging part. people on meth are completely paranoid and it gets to be an insain and frightening thing. I believe had she showed that part of meth to her younger readers it may have frightened them more into not using. getting paranoid is a very big part of meth and i wish she would have showed that more in the books. Other than that great job i loved the book. Cant wait for fallout the third and final one of the series. It comes out this year and will be through the eyes of her children. She ends up having 3. Buy the book and read it. It is a good book.
Glass Review - Kristen S. Wooten - Chicago
I thought that Glass was a perfectly titled book and a great follow-up to Crank. The one criticism is that the ending should have ended with Kristina`s story. There needed to be closure to this story. I also would like to know what happended to Kristina after the story concluded. I really enjoyed the poetry format of this book. I thought that was an interesting way to write the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and woud recommend this to others.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 09, 2010 02:15:07
No comments:
Post a Comment