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The Opposite of Everyone


"Quirky and appealing characters, an engaging story, and honest dialogue make ...
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Did you like the "gritty" style?

Created: 12/01/16

Replies: 22

Posted Dec. 01, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bobbie7

Join Date: 09/19/13

Posts: 65

Did you like the "gritty" style?

The language, dialogue, and characters Jackson uses in the book seems quirky, twisty and imaginative. It was like reading a Raymond Chandler novel. Did you like the snappy style?


Posted Dec. 02, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alwaysdaddygirl's Gravatar
alwaysdaddygirl

Join Date: 09/04/16

Posts: 110

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It was different. I try to understand why the writing process was that way. Is it due to the author character orbis it due research on how to tell a story like this?


Posted Dec. 02, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
beac

Join Date: 08/23/11

Posts: 73

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

Yes, I liked it very much. It was a great change from the "chic lit" style that I get stuck with every now and then.


Posted Dec. 02, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
karenrn

Join Date: 08/29/13

Posts: 102

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It is not usually the style of book I would read but it fit this book. I liked the story enough to read it with enjoyment. I'm not usually into gritty books. I'm more like the people Paula would consider too sweet and naive.


Posted Dec. 03, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LindaB.

Join Date: 06/11/14

Posts: 80

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It was different for me but I enjoyed the book.


Posted Dec. 04, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cynthiaa

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 112

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I enjoyed the book while reading it. But I did not like that the end wrapped up into a nice neat little package. Once upon a time..... All's well that ends well. It was just too fast and too neat.


Posted Dec. 04, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
renem

Join Date: 12/01/16

Posts: 292

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I agree with cynthiaa. The ending was too short and sweet compared to the rest of the book. Perhaps a few more chapters would have helped to round the ending out a bit.


Posted Dec. 04, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
julianna

Join Date: 10/10/13

Posts: 41

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I liked it a lot. the dialogue probably reflected life in foster homes. Gave me a glimpse into a world I've wondered about. Made me more empathetic and understanding of quirky individuals.


Posted Dec. 05, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nanl

Join Date: 09/28/15

Posts: 23

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I like gritty and I think it fit the nature of the memoir


Posted Dec. 05, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Miznanner's Gravatar
Miznanner

Join Date: 01/19/13

Posts: 20

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It was different from others that Jackson has written and I think I enjoyed it more because of that. I do agree that the ending was a little too tidy given the style. Some uncertainty would have fit better.


Posted Dec. 06, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
estherl

Join Date: 09/02/13

Posts: 10

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

A story like this wouldn't have worked as all sweetness and light. It felt incredibly real. I really enjoyed the story and the writing.


Posted Dec. 07, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cm28015

Join Date: 11/01/15

Posts: 37

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

Yes. I think it suited Paula and her relationships. It added to the plot and twists and turns of the book.


Posted Dec. 09, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianaps

Join Date: 05/29/15

Posts: 460

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It took me a little while to get the hang of it but I did like it. I think the ending was leaving open the possibility of "to be continued".


Posted Dec. 09, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
iread49

Join Date: 04/10/13

Posts: 54

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

Yes , it was "real" especially what Paula had to endure when she was in placement.The Hindu mythology bothered me. I saw it as an extention of the mother's personality disorder i.e. Pretending she is someone she is not. Unable to have real realationships with her many boyfriends.again not taking responsibility for her actions. I know I am getting stuck on the personality disorder thing but this hits close to home.


Posted Dec. 10, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Suzanne

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 281

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

"Gritty style" throws me for a loop. This is a term I don't recognize! If that means down-to-earth, say-it-like-it-is language, it goes perfectly with the characters Joshlyn Jackson created.

Iread49: my exact thoughts on the Hindu lore. Personality disorder seems very relevant here.


Posted Dec. 12, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PiperUp

Join Date: 10/27/15

Posts: 146

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I really enjoyed it & was shocked at the depth. I found myself thinking "This book is soooo much better & deeper than I thought it was going to be based on the description of the book." I'm really looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.


Posted Dec. 12, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Mary J

Join Date: 04/26/15

Posts: 37

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

This was not a book I would choose to read, due to the gritty style, but it did seem to fit the story.


Posted Dec. 12, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I did like the style. I guess I had not thought of it as gritty, it just seemed to fit the book. I do agree ith Cynthiaa that it was wrapped up neatly too quickly. I really did enjoy the book.


Posted Dec. 13, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Windsong

Join Date: 05/07/13

Posts: 105

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I agree with Cynthia about the ending and Iread49 about the references to the Hindu story.
I don't think the author wanted us to like Paula, especially when she was getting ready for her night on the town which nearly got her killed. The rawness of the language in the foster care institution was real. The language emphasized the girls' differences and backgrounds. When Clark told her in the alley that everyone who knew her thought she was a whore, it seemed to stop her in her tracks for a moment. Afterward she had more compassion for Birdwine.The grittiness of the language definitely helped in Paula's transformation to loving big sister, forgiving daughter, and probably happily married.


Posted Dec. 15, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sarap

Join Date: 03/16/15

Posts: 10

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

I liked the style because it fit Paula and her experiences. I think that in telling this story the author had to be as true to life as possible in her language use to make the story powerful.


Posted Dec. 19, 2016 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

Gritty did fit the characters. The only thing part of the book that bothered me were the descriptions of Paula's panic attacks. Those seemed to go on a little too long and did not seem so believable for someone that had overcome so many odds to be a high powered attorney.


Posted Jan. 11, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
andreab

Join Date: 07/29/14

Posts: 101

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

It took me a little while to get into the book but once I found the rhythm of the story, I was hooked. The grittiest parts of the book were also its best.


Posted Jan. 12, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
tracyb

Join Date: 09/22/11

Posts: 102

RE: Did you like the "gritty" style?

Yes I think that it fit all of the diverse populations in this book. Sometimes Paula's skill to tell it like it is comes in handy. Unfortunately Paula's childhood taught her to know & see the "wrong" side of people.


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