Review: Why We Broke Up

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Summary: I’m telling you why we broke up, Ed. I’m writing it in this letter, the whole truth of why it happened.

Min Green and Ed Slaterton are breaking up, so Min is writing Ed a letter and giving him a box. Inside the box is why they broke up. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket, a folded note, a box of matches, a protractor, books, a toy truck, a pair of ugly earrings, a comb from a motel room, and every other item collected over the course of a giddy, intimate, heartbreaking relationship. Item after item is illustrated and accounted for, and then the box, like a girlfriend, will be dumped

My Thoughts: Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler was all right. I found it somewhat predictable, but very well written. I love Handler’s writing style. The tone and his ability to put words together to make the perfectly descriptive passages. Incredible.

Min was interesting and mostly a great character. While I get that it’s who she was, I got tired of the almost-constant references to old movies. I’m not an old-movie buff, and so all of the references were lost to me. (These were not just old movies, but obscure – at least so far as I know – titles. And that’s assuming that they’re real movies and real actors mentioned, but I no longer have the book so I can’t check.) I bet a film enthusiast, especially one really into old films, likely would enjoy this much more than I did. Back to Min. She seems to despise her mom, but I have no idea why. The one time we really see her mom, she gives her motherly advice (which, yes, makes teens cringe, but is pretty accurate so far as motherly advice goes), and doesn’t really seem to earn the disdain.

Ed seemed sweet, but obviously there was more to him than there appeared to be. One big question is never answered: What is wrong with his mom? I found it frustrating to have small hints at something, but to never be told. Is she depressed? Does she have cancer? Is there something else? I didn’t get it, and really didn’t appreciate having it occasionally mentioned but never revealed.

Why We Broke Up is a quick read that I enjoyed, but not as much as I’d hoped. The illustrations are great. (I didn’t get to see them all, as this was an ARC, but the ones that were there were perfect.) Handler is a fantastic writer. Oh, and I didn’t realize Daniel Handler is Lemony Snicket, but when I found out I thought that’s cool. Now I just might read some of his Snicket books – the writing style is that good.

Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.

Read It: Why We Broke Up is scheduled for release on December 27, 2011. You can pre-order your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

Challenges: Counts for the 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge.

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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