Book Review – Speak
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2009, c1999. SPEAK. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780142414736
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2000. SPEAK [SOUND RECORDING]. New York: Listening Library. ISBN 9780739336724
2. PLOT SUMMARY
As if entering as a freshman in high school isn’t enough pressure alone, Melinda Sordino faces this rite of passage with no friends and plenty of bad memories about a secret. The friends she used to have rejected her, and people she doesn’t even know hate her for what she did. But they don’t know the real reason why she called the police. They don’t know that their good time at the end-of-the-summer party was abruptly interrupted because it marked the most horrific day of her life. They don’t know because her emotion was shocked and silenced. They don’t know because she now refuses to speak. In an award winning and honorable mention novel, Laurie Halse Anderson gives voice to this young lady that was a victim of date rape.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Nostalgia, relief of survival, mystery, and suspense are all ideas that come to mind while experiencing a trip back to high school life in SPEAK. Anderson’s depiction of how misunderstandings and time change the relationships between friends is right on. Melinda had to start over by finding an “accessory” friend, Heather, because her old friends from middle school (Ivy, Nicole, and Rachel) didn’t want to hang with her anymore because of the “humiliation” she caused for breaking up the summer party. The author accurately captured how various cliques in contemporary high school culture (i.e. the jocks, nerds, fashionistas, etc.) can cause a split between friends, also. To Melinda, it seemed like she had no one to talk to about what happened. She did not want to relive the disgust that “IT” forced upon her, anyway. She just wanted to silence her troubles away. Sadly, this reluctance to seek help from an outside source is probably more prevalent for teens in today’s society, which has adverse effects on mental and emotional health.
The author included dialogue in which Heather recognizes Melinda is in a phase of depression by her actions. Gradually becoming withdrawn, instead of making her completely mute, Anderson was able to cleverly and realistically have this scorned character only talk when convenient (and mainly to those she really trusts). Despite her efforts to get on with her life in her own way, the silence had to be broken eventually when IT (her attacker, Andy Evans) shows his true colors once again.
Though this is a very serious subject, Anderson manages to provide comic relief by referencing funny events. These hilarious moments include things such as the nicknames Melinda gave to some of the teachers (Mr. Neck, Hairwoman, Coach Disaster), changing the school mascot name for various reasons for what seemed like about a hundred times (from Trojans, to Devils, to Tigers, to Wombats, to Hornets…), and getting into her “headworld” (where her parents perform hysterical theatrical performances to prompt any type of verbal response from her). Giving herself a report card which included failing grades in the subjects of “Social Life,” “Clothes,” and “Lunch,” were also funny (not in terms of “ha-ha” funny, but in irony). There are probably many young adults that can relate.
Overall, the book was an easy read. Anderson’s ability to balance the first-person narration and realistic conversational style between characters provide empathy. Designed to chronicle the entire school year with charming chapter markers referred to as “Marking Periods,” readers can follow what is going on in Melinda’s daily life effortlessly. The secret was not readily revealed at the beginning, which added to the suspense. Anderson’s open-door ending has left readers wanting more. Hopefully, Melinda will “speak” to her creator so we will all be able to follow-up with how the young character further developed. Although a difficult subject, this book provides a great resource to those affected by sexual assault, or any traumatic event that silences its victims. The universal theme of “speak out against injustice” should resound in the hearts of readers, young and old.
3. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK 2000
ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS 2000
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 1999
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST 1999
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “…Anderson infuses the narrative with a wit that sustains the heroine through her pain
and holds readers' empathy… the book's overall gritty realism and Melinda's hard-won metamorphosis will
leave readers touched and inspired.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in,
engulfing them in the story.”
KIRKUS: “The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn...this a novel that will be hard for readers
to forget.”
4. CONNECTIONS
· For a one-stop-shop of related resources, the 10th Anniversary Edition of SPEAK is a must. It contains the following bonus material in the afterword:
- An interview with Anderson that gives a glimpse into her writing style and the writing process.
- Information regarding the inspiration behind this book and plans for this story’s future.
- “A Comment About Censorship”
- A “Discussion Guide” with sample questions.
- “Sexual Assault Survivor Resources” – statistics and websites
· This novel was adapted into a movie. Anderson also describes SPEAK movie-watching tips:
(i.e. “Count how many times Melinda speaks,” “Watch for lines that come from the book,” “Throw popcorn at the TV whenever IT shows up,” “play Spot the Food: Ho-Hos, Pizza, applesauce…”
Watch for special commentary by Jessica Sharzer (director) and Anderson at the end of the film.
Sharzer, Jessica. 2005. SPEAK [VIDEORECORDING]. DVD. LOS ANGELES: SHOWTIME ENTERTAINMENT.
Other resources used:
http://www.kirkusreviews.com
This book review was created as an assignment for a course at
Texas Woman’s University.
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