Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler with Art by Maira Kalman
by Jenners • 02/16/2012 • 3 Stars, Fiction, H Authors, W Titles, Young Adult • 29 Comments
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler with art by Maira KalmanPublisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2011
Pages: 368
Genre: Fiction, YA
Where I Got It: Amazon Vine
Why I Read It: The premise appealed to me
My Rating: 3 stars
Book Description
High schoolers Ed and Min have broken up. Min is giving Ed a box that contains all the detritus from their relationship (e.g., a bottle cap, a cookbook, a film canister, a note)—along with a letter explaining the meaning of each item and a detailed explanation of why they broke up.
Written as a letter to Ed (a very very long letter, I might add), Why We Broke Up is a collaborative effort between Daniel Handler (who did the writing) and Maira Kalman (who did the drawing).
My Thoughts
Oy vey! What do I say about this book? I was very frustrated by it—mostly because of the detailed, dramatic, ridiculous way that Min rehashes a relationship that lasted from October 5 until November 12. And yet, the very drama (verging on melodrama) and angst and relentless detail is probably what makes this book an almost eerily accurate portrait of a typical teenage relationship. In fact, the book reminded me of my own heightened feelings of pain and drama resulting from months-long high school relationships—the endings of which resulted in obsessive journal writing and multiple crying jags.
So the question to ask yourself is: Do you want to read a fairly long book about the break-up of a teenage relationship?
If you answered yes, then this book would be a good choice. Channeling the psyche of a teenage girl, Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket) does a credible job of capturing the melodrama of young love. I suspect that YA readers in the throes of their own relationship dramas will be able to relate to Min and Ed’s experiences. In addition, if you have a young person in your life going through a break-up that seems ridiculously overdramatized to you, this book might be a good reminder of what that time in life is like.
If you answered no, then I would avoid this book as you will find it (like I did) a bit tiresome. To be 100% honest, I found Min annoying and a little stupid at times (despite her being an “arty smarty girl.” I got tired of what felt like a real-time accounting of every moment Min and Ed spent together. Once again, a YA book that is probably not targeted to my demographic left me cold. (Surprise!)
Originally, I wanted to read this book because of the combination of the narrative and the art. I thought it would be cool to see the contents of the box and hear why each item led to the break-up. Unfortunately, the premise didn’t really live up to my expectations. I didn’t find Maira Kalman’s art all that wonderful or inspiring. And you already know how I felt about the text. Although I’m all for experimentation in storytelling, this particular effort fell flat for me.
Recommended For
Readers who want to experience the psyche of a teenage girl in the aftermath of a break-up; fans of Maira Kalman and/or Daniel Handler
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The premise of this book does sound really good but I’m one of those who would likely find this long letter of teenage angst tiresome as you did.
I like Kalman and love Handler but yeah, I don’t think I can handle the moody drama. I will have to put my slapping hand on.
Ever see that movie with Vince Vaughn and Jen Aniston titled The Break-up? I envision this book to be like that movie. Too long, too drawn out but sort of watchable even though you know what happens.
I think I would like to read this just to understand my teen.
PS Thanks for the book bloggers search engine link — never realized one existed.
oh, thats too bad. I don’t think I’d like this one myself. I enjoyed your review Jenners! The way you still recommend it for certain readers who might enjoy it.
My son has been reading this one off and one. He just recently went through a breakup with a girl he had been with for 6 weeks and it was DRAMA! I had to remember how it feels to be young and in love. I’ll have to read this one so I can discuss it with him.
I guess if I could draw, I could just read my granddaughter’s Facebook posts and come up with a similar book…oh, how she does suffer so!
She’s quoting song lyrics and wearing her heart on her Facebook sleeve for everyone to see…where’s the quiet dignity in that?
I’m so glad I didn’t act like her at her age…and I’m sure Why We Broke Up will not be on my reading list.
Thanks for warning me about this one.
somehow you make even the silliest of books sound interesting.
I was not that interested in teenagers when I was a teenager.
3 stars? I will have to move on…
Your post reminds me of a “choose your own adventure” book, hehe. I chose no so I won’t read this one, though I am interested in the story of each item and why it led to the break up, lol. =)
Like others, I’m still recovering from the Twilight series as well. But I loved this review! I liked that it was easy and quick to read. (I have so much to learn!)
I can imagine that this would be a good book for teens themselves to read…
Oh, no! I am a HUGE Maira Kalman fan! But I understand not wanting to experience the teenage angst/craziness again.
I just saw a review of this the other day that was fairly disappointed with the length/content. It sounds like something I should avoid. On the other hand, I’ve never known Lemony Snicket’s real name (never really got into that series) so I didn’t connect this book to him at all.
Oh no…. its on the shelf and I have been looking forward to it… I think it is the coffee cup on the cover)…
thanks for your review, I’m not much into teenage stuff, I’m so glad I’m not a teenager.
Love your honest reviews. Not sure this is a subject I would delve into.
Real life drama and angst from my own kids was (still is?) bad enough. The last thing I want to read about it on purpose!! I appreciate the warning – oops, review, though.
living through several teenage breakups was enough for me–I don’t think I’d like to read about one
I absolutely LOVE Kalman’s illustrations, so it may have been alluring to me if I didn’t know better. However, even though I’m old and crusty, according to my kids, I very well remember the drama of the failed relationship in high school. Lots of tears, drama, and rehashing ad nauseum. Not sure I really want to relive that all over again. And my daughter has yet to go through this, thank God, so I’ll just keep on walking. Thanks for the warning!
As you know, I am a big fan of YA lit, but the sound of this one doesn’t appeal to me!
I’m not even sure this would have appealed to me as a teenager or a middle grader. Never been one for drama or angst.
I imagine that would appeal to teenagers, and I probably would have loved it at that age, but definitely not now.
I have a big issue with all the angst in YA literature, and sometimes that is what keeps me away from it, so I will not be reading this book. I can imagine that teen girls would love it though! I had enough of this kind of melodrama in high-school, and would not care to revisit it. Very perceptive and honest review today, Jenners. I’m glad you told it like it is!
Yeah, I’m not sure this is for me. I didn’t even go in for all that drama back in the day.
I agree with Petty. That was one of the annoying parts of the Twilight series. All the melodrama. “I’ll just DIE without him!”
On the other hand, I too, remember those high school years. And yeah, if he even looked in my direction it made my entire week. Though I don’t want to admit it, I was probably almost as bad as Bella. Oh, my poor parents!
I read this one too and Melony reviewed it – you said it so much better – this is probably geared more towards middle-schoolers i think. definitely not one of those cross-over ya books. the promotion at BEA and the art included with/in the book was what initially grabbed me…however i was left wanting. Awesome review Jenners!
Alas not one for me, I’m still recovering from all the teenage angst of Bella in the Twilight books