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Recovery Road
Madeline is sent away to Spring Meadows rehab for drinking and rage. At the weekly movie night in town, she meets Stewart, from another rehab nearby. They fall for each other despite the crazy time. Madeline gets out and starts to regain her feet. But when Stewart joins her, both still are severely troubled, and he is getting worse.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2011
111 people are currently reading
3926 people want to read
About the author
Blake Nelson
27 books401 followersBlake Nelson grew up in Portland, Oregon. He began his career writing short humor pieces for Details Magazine.
His first novel GIRL was originally serialized in SASSY magazine and was made into a film staring Selma Blaire and Portia De Rossi.
His novel PARANOID PARK won the prestigious International Grinzane Literary Award and was made into a film by Gus Van Sant.
His most recent Young Adult novel THE PRINCE OF VENICE BEACH has been shortlisted for the 2015 Edgar Award.
His 2011 novel RECOVERY ROAD has been adapted into a television drama for ABC FAMILY and will premier in January of 2016.
His first novel GIRL was originally serialized in SASSY magazine and was made into a film staring Selma Blaire and Portia De Rossi.
His novel PARANOID PARK won the prestigious International Grinzane Literary Award and was made into a film by Gus Van Sant.
His most recent Young Adult novel THE PRINCE OF VENICE BEACH has been shortlisted for the 2015 Edgar Award.
His 2011 novel RECOVERY ROAD has been adapted into a television drama for ABC FAMILY and will premier in January of 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
June 30, 2011
"He holds me. I am his in a way he probably isn't even aware of. Boys shouldn't know what power they have. They would panic probably or just mess things up. But boys are who you give yourself to. Not your parents or your teachers or your "future". You give yourself to a boy. And then you go for long walks at night and think about them and wonder what they will do to you in the end." (p.106)
A very moving heart-wrenching story of first love between two recovering teenage alcoholics. Well worth reading. 4 1/2 stars
"You can change things. You can repair mistakes. You can restart your whole life if you have to. But some things you never get back. Certain people. Certain moments in time when you didn't know better than to shield your heart. You don't see those moments coming, you don't know it when they're happening, but later, as the plainness of life begins to show itself, you realize how important they were. You understand who really changed you, who made you what you are." (p.310)
A very moving heart-wrenching story of first love between two recovering teenage alcoholics. Well worth reading. 4 1/2 stars
"You can change things. You can repair mistakes. You can restart your whole life if you have to. But some things you never get back. Certain people. Certain moments in time when you didn't know better than to shield your heart. You don't see those moments coming, you don't know it when they're happening, but later, as the plainness of life begins to show itself, you realize how important they were. You understand who really changed you, who made you what you are." (p.310)
February 2, 2011
My mini-review can also be found on my blog Collections.
Recovery Road is the story of Madeline, who is recovering from heavy drinking and partying and anger issues. The story takes place over the course of about three to four years, and through the book we get glimpses of how she is dealing with her issues and what she is doing to improve her life. Recovery is not always easy though, and we see that with Madeline and with the people she befriends at the rehab in Spring Meadows.
From the cover and the summary, I thought Recovery Road was going to be a love story, and while there is some romance here and there, it's not the main focus. It's about Madeline first and foremost. Her life and her recovery. If you're wondering about the romance, I will say that it's NOT all sunshine and rainbows. But, and although I felt Madeline fell in love with Stewart (the boy she met at rehab) rather quickly, my favorite parts in the book would have to be when Madeline was at Spring Meadows with Stewart.
As I mentioned, the book goes through a couple of years of Madeline's life. Because of this we're not always given the full details. Such as Madeline's life before and when she came to Spring Meadows or the story behind Stewart's situation and his problems. It's not hard to imagine, especially with what is revealed in the book; however, I wouldn't have minded more details about the characters' situations and explanations for their behaviors.
The ending of the book isn't want I expected or wanted, but there is some hope. For Madeline, at least. Recovery Road gives us a look into the life of Madeline during her gradual recovery, and I would recommend it to those looking for a fast-paced read about real issues that aren't solved simply and easily.
May 18, 2011
Semi-realistic portrayal of young addiction, 3.5 stars
In Blake Nelson's RECOVERY ROAD, Maddie finds herself in rehab after one too many drug and alcohol-fueled binges. Even though she feels like a teenage outcast, she befriends Trish, another recovering young addict, and Stewart, a beautiful boy with problems of his own. After her romance with Stewart blossoms, Maddie leaves rehab and returns to her old life, her old school, and old temptations. Maddie and Stewart must learn to navigate their relationship in the real world and see how smooth or rocky the road to true recovery will be for them as a couple and as individuals.
RECOVERY ROAD excelled in its quick and easily readable style that pulled me into the story more than I expected. Readers will be able to sympathize with the characters' struggles to reinvent themselves, to define their relationships, and to deal with popularity and peer pressure. The relationships between Maddie and Trish and Maddie and Stewart were also sometimes touching and poignant. The story was realistic in its depiction of the potential dangers of alcohol and drugs, and it didn't sugarcoat addiction or how people act when high or drunk. Though the ending was bittersweet, it finished on a note of hope about how some people can change for the better and be helped by others.
Even with these strengths, the novel didn't succeed on all counts. The too-easy recovery of one of the characters and his/her singular lapse didn't seem representative of the struggles addicts face, and I was left unsure of why things worked out so well for this person. Character development was also limited enough that I never understood why Maddie got so heavily involved in drugs, alcohol, and fighting in the first place. While the first part of the book was engaging and consistently paced, later sections made quick jumps in time that may throw off some readers. Some events and their plausibility to all happen in one character's life also felt like heavy-handed attempts to illustrate how dangerous drug and alcohol abuse can be.
Despite these bumps in plausibility and character development, I enjoyed this book and appreciated how it ended with its message about growth and the impact that people and events can have on our lives. For those looking for a semi-realistic portrayal of the difficulties of young addiction, Nelson's RECOVERY ROAD may be a good bet.
Note: This review refers to an advance reader's copy.
In Blake Nelson's RECOVERY ROAD, Maddie finds herself in rehab after one too many drug and alcohol-fueled binges. Even though she feels like a teenage outcast, she befriends Trish, another recovering young addict, and Stewart, a beautiful boy with problems of his own. After her romance with Stewart blossoms, Maddie leaves rehab and returns to her old life, her old school, and old temptations. Maddie and Stewart must learn to navigate their relationship in the real world and see how smooth or rocky the road to true recovery will be for them as a couple and as individuals.
RECOVERY ROAD excelled in its quick and easily readable style that pulled me into the story more than I expected. Readers will be able to sympathize with the characters' struggles to reinvent themselves, to define their relationships, and to deal with popularity and peer pressure. The relationships between Maddie and Trish and Maddie and Stewart were also sometimes touching and poignant. The story was realistic in its depiction of the potential dangers of alcohol and drugs, and it didn't sugarcoat addiction or how people act when high or drunk. Though the ending was bittersweet, it finished on a note of hope about how some people can change for the better and be helped by others.
Even with these strengths, the novel didn't succeed on all counts. The too-easy recovery of one of the characters and his/her singular lapse didn't seem representative of the struggles addicts face, and I was left unsure of why things worked out so well for this person. Character development was also limited enough that I never understood why Maddie got so heavily involved in drugs, alcohol, and fighting in the first place. While the first part of the book was engaging and consistently paced, later sections made quick jumps in time that may throw off some readers. Some events and their plausibility to all happen in one character's life also felt like heavy-handed attempts to illustrate how dangerous drug and alcohol abuse can be.
Despite these bumps in plausibility and character development, I enjoyed this book and appreciated how it ended with its message about growth and the impact that people and events can have on our lives. For those looking for a semi-realistic portrayal of the difficulties of young addiction, Nelson's RECOVERY ROAD may be a good bet.
Note: This review refers to an advance reader's copy.
January 12, 2013
This was my first Blake Nelson book and I am looking forward to read more of his after reading Recovery Road. It was my final book of 2012 and I read it really quickly, not because I needed it for my 100th book (although I did), but because it was a great and compulsively readable book. I loved it!
This was not a happy book, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of it at all. It starts with Maddie in rehab, obviously not a great place, and leads to her meeting Stewart, whom I did not find that amazing. I loved watching Maddie's journey from the beginning of the book to the end and watching her grow and learn about herself. There was some definite character growth here, which I really appreciated. I think a subject like this is difficult to write about well, but Blake Nelson does a great job here.
Other things that I liked: the supporting cast and the chapter length. Like I said, I wasn't a big fan of Stewart, but I liked Maddie's friends and Maddie herself. I also loved that the chapters were short. It made the book go by faster and was easier to find stopping points at the end of chapters (if you're like me and refuse to stop reading in the middle of a chapter).
I will say that I like the cover, but it's not a good representation of the story since Maddie has a drinking problem and not a pill/drug problem. However, I think it's eye-catching and I like the heart.
I have already talked about this one at school and think it will be a hit, especially with students who may have had an experience like this and can find a connection with Maddie or Stewart. I'm looking forward to it being passed around!
This was not a happy book, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of it at all. It starts with Maddie in rehab, obviously not a great place, and leads to her meeting Stewart, whom I did not find that amazing. I loved watching Maddie's journey from the beginning of the book to the end and watching her grow and learn about herself. There was some definite character growth here, which I really appreciated. I think a subject like this is difficult to write about well, but Blake Nelson does a great job here.
Other things that I liked: the supporting cast and the chapter length. Like I said, I wasn't a big fan of Stewart, but I liked Maddie's friends and Maddie herself. I also loved that the chapters were short. It made the book go by faster and was easier to find stopping points at the end of chapters (if you're like me and refuse to stop reading in the middle of a chapter).
I will say that I like the cover, but it's not a good representation of the story since Maddie has a drinking problem and not a pill/drug problem. However, I think it's eye-catching and I like the heart.
I have already talked about this one at school and think it will be a hit, especially with students who may have had an experience like this and can find a connection with Maddie or Stewart. I'm looking forward to it being passed around!
June 26, 2014
Alors on vous dit, ce roman parle de drogue, d'alcool, de violence, de mort, d'amour désabusé... et là vous êtes en droit de faire la moue, euh non merci. Mais quelle erreur... quelle erreur ! Ce serait vous priver d'un roman franchement bouleversant, avec une romance pas banale mais tellement touchante, et une héroïne hors du commun, douée d'un humour sarcastique qui fait mouche. En bref, un coup de cœur !
March 4, 2011
I found this in the free pile at work; I was looking for something to read on the train home.
Recovery Road is a quick read with characters you want to root for. It's easy to understand why so many adults read YA novels; no matter what their mistakes, people in these books have time in their life to change and grow, and it's a great escape to feel that type of freedom vicariously.
Recovery Road is a quick read with characters you want to root for. It's easy to understand why so many adults read YA novels; no matter what their mistakes, people in these books have time in their life to change and grow, and it's a great escape to feel that type of freedom vicariously.
June 11, 2016
This book was so bad I couldn't even finish it. That is a very rare thing for me. Just stick to the TV show and make your own ending/hope it gets renewed someday.
March 30, 2013
Madeline, or Mad Dog Maddie, has landed herself to rehab. After getting arrested, stealing a car, sleeping with a drug dealer, years of drug abuse, and one heck of a temper, she is placed in a drug rehabilitation program to gain control over her life. After spending twenty-eight days in a hospital facility, she has to live in a sober-living home where she is shacked up with women twice her age and holds down a job at the laundry facility. Although she managed to make friends with a girl named Trish (two years older than her), when Trish leave, Maddie isolates herself from the rest of her housemates, counting down the days until she goes home. Once a week, a van picks her up in front of Spring Meadows home and takes her to the movies. Known as Recovery Road, Maddie took this trip with Trish, but not, she as all alone. However, when Stewart stepped into the van, Maddie's world is changed forever. Maddie and Stewart, both former addicts, instantly find comfort in each other, which brings about feelings that go beyond friends. When Maddie's time is up, she promises Stewart that she will wait for him and continue to stay sober. Now that Maddie is back at school, not only are the temptations back, she has to find new friends, get her grades back on track, and fight off the awkwardness of her disappearance. Despite having to transition into the real world again, Maddie actually does all right and with the help of Martin, her new dork friend, she might be able to achieve the possible: sobriety and have hope that everything will be okay.
Blake Nelson has written a very candid, yet inspiring story of a teen fighting for her life. As much as we don't want to acknowledge teen drug abuse, its heartbreaking and devastating how rampant drug addiction is amongst this age group. Maddie is a great character because when we first met her, she didn't have a care in the world and very little self respect. As she meets Trish, Stewart, Martin, and Emily, Maddie's development is so inspiring because not only did she had grow up quickly, she had to face the temptation and relapse all on her own. Although her classmates are partying it up and not worrying about the repercussions, Maddie is living proof when the fun takes over and leaves everything in shambles. Unlike Trish and Stewart, Maddie hasn't hurt anyone, but herself, and because of these examples, she takes her fate into her hands and decides she wants to be a normal, healthy teenager. In many aspects, this story provides a cautionary tale for those who dabble in drugs, but; more importantly, provides readers who are lost with hope that they can change their ways. Along with providing an important lesson, Nelson doesn't hold back when it comes to consequences. The death of Ashley's sister and Stewart's fate are solid examples when individuals are just not able to say no due to lack of support or faith in themselves. Although Maddie tries to tell Ashely that she needs to stop, it really oils down to a person wanting to change. Sure, Ashely could have gone to rehab, but she has to have the will to stay sober. Although we don't get the happy ending we are hoping for, we are left feeling that Maddie will do just fine and will continue to thrive and grow. I am seriously mesmerized by Nelson's ability to capture the voice of of such a dynamic female character, starting from the vulnerable bad girl, to the confident, goal-oriented, and happy woman she is at the end of the story. Bravo, Blake Nelson!
Blake Nelson has written a very candid, yet inspiring story of a teen fighting for her life. As much as we don't want to acknowledge teen drug abuse, its heartbreaking and devastating how rampant drug addiction is amongst this age group. Maddie is a great character because when we first met her, she didn't have a care in the world and very little self respect. As she meets Trish, Stewart, Martin, and Emily, Maddie's development is so inspiring because not only did she had grow up quickly, she had to face the temptation and relapse all on her own. Although her classmates are partying it up and not worrying about the repercussions, Maddie is living proof when the fun takes over and leaves everything in shambles. Unlike Trish and Stewart, Maddie hasn't hurt anyone, but herself, and because of these examples, she takes her fate into her hands and decides she wants to be a normal, healthy teenager. In many aspects, this story provides a cautionary tale for those who dabble in drugs, but; more importantly, provides readers who are lost with hope that they can change their ways. Along with providing an important lesson, Nelson doesn't hold back when it comes to consequences. The death of Ashley's sister and Stewart's fate are solid examples when individuals are just not able to say no due to lack of support or faith in themselves. Although Maddie tries to tell Ashely that she needs to stop, it really oils down to a person wanting to change. Sure, Ashely could have gone to rehab, but she has to have the will to stay sober. Although we don't get the happy ending we are hoping for, we are left feeling that Maddie will do just fine and will continue to thrive and grow. I am seriously mesmerized by Nelson's ability to capture the voice of of such a dynamic female character, starting from the vulnerable bad girl, to the confident, goal-oriented, and happy woman she is at the end of the story. Bravo, Blake Nelson!
December 6, 2010
Maddie meets Stewart in rehab and they fall in love. But love's never as easy as that and especially not when you're in rehab. Recovery Road is about finding the right guy at the wrong time and Maddie's struggle to find her own way home. Maddie's voice was searingly real and I felt like she was sitting down and telling me the whole story. The book's got funny moments that made me laugh out loud and it also broke my heart. Highly recommended.
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/...
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/...
December 3, 2011
great christmas gift for your edgy teen....
April 2, 2019
It took me well over half the book to connect with "Mad Dog Maddie" and her story. At first, the characters seemed aggressively unlikable in a way that was less gritty realism than depressing torture porn. The misery went on and on, with tragedies following each other in a seemingly unbroken, merciless stream. I began to wonder about the bigger picture. Why all this gratuitous suffering? What's with the stilted dialogue? And seriously, why is this written in such a jerky style, like someone's disorganized diary?
And then, so gradually I hardly noticed it happening, I began to get it. The characters steadily became more human and more lifelike. Maddie took on flesh and heart and substance. The secondary characters flitted in and out of the narrative, much the way people do in real life. But Stewart, that central pivot point, remained stubbornly in place.
Our circles change. Our circumstances change. Even our personalities change. But this book seems to be about what stays the same--our mistakes, our weaknesses, and that one great love we'll never quite forget.
And then, so gradually I hardly noticed it happening, I began to get it. The characters steadily became more human and more lifelike. Maddie took on flesh and heart and substance. The secondary characters flitted in and out of the narrative, much the way people do in real life. But Stewart, that central pivot point, remained stubbornly in place.
Our circles change. Our circumstances change. Even our personalities change. But this book seems to be about what stays the same--our mistakes, our weaknesses, and that one great love we'll never quite forget.
March 4, 2018
Much different from the TV show so far...very little of the book actually takes place in rehab. I think it's one of those situations where the book is way better than the TV show, but it may be like Pretty Little Liars, where each follow different plots and end up really great.
The book is mainly about the aftermath, as Maddie copes with returning to high school, turning her life around, and trying to figure out what to do with Stewart, the boy she met in rehab. I was very angry about the ending, but everything up until that was truly great. Their relationship is slightly unbelievable - I'm not really quite sure why they fall in love, other than their connection to the rehab facility. But definitely read this, though you may not like it as much if you've already started watching the show!
The book is mainly about the aftermath, as Maddie copes with returning to high school, turning her life around, and trying to figure out what to do with Stewart, the boy she met in rehab. I was very angry about the ending, but everything up until that was truly great. Their relationship is slightly unbelievable - I'm not really quite sure why they fall in love, other than their connection to the rehab facility. But definitely read this, though you may not like it as much if you've already started watching the show!
March 11, 2016
I got really weird vibes from this book. I had no idea what the main character even looked like, or even much about her at all. I wasn't a huge fan of Nelson's writing style, either, and found it to be bland and even boring at some points.
The ending, however, was actually quite refreshing and not as unsatisfying as some others have said. I was happy to have a more realistic ending, rather than a fairy-tale one (most addicts will relapse at some point), and it was nice to have that realistic factor. I didn't like the main character much to be completely honest, but this story in general just wasn't all that interesting.
The ending, however, was actually quite refreshing and not as unsatisfying as some others have said. I was happy to have a more realistic ending, rather than a fairy-tale one (most addicts will relapse at some point), and it was nice to have that realistic factor. I didn't like the main character much to be completely honest, but this story in general just wasn't all that interesting.
July 2, 2011
Blake Nelson nails the voice of a16 year old emotionally anxious recoverind addict GIRL. And side characters - the addict boy, others in the rehab, others in her school, confused parents. This novel felt so REAL, similar to Nelson's Rock Star Superstar. Simply, one of my favorite YA authors.
I marked the line "My brain feels relieved to have something neutral to think about." (when Maddie tries to start studying.) She finds she can concentrate on schoolwork because it makes the rest of her brain shut up. Something about that sentence made me believe all that came after.
I marked the line "My brain feels relieved to have something neutral to think about." (when Maddie tries to start studying.) She finds she can concentrate on schoolwork because it makes the rest of her brain shut up. Something about that sentence made me believe all that came after.
March 21, 2018
really more of a 3.5 stars rather than a 3 stars...
This book had me frustrated... the main protagonist Maddie isn't really likable, which made me enjoy the novel more. The writing style of this book really wasn't my favorite, as it does more telling than showing and doesn't go in depth with much. With that said, the ending is what really ruined the book for me.
This book had me frustrated... the main protagonist Maddie isn't really likable, which made me enjoy the novel more. The writing style of this book really wasn't my favorite, as it does more telling than showing and doesn't go in depth with much. With that said, the ending is what really ruined the book for me.
May 31, 2021
I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars for this bc I ended up tearing through it during the middle, but the beginning and end parts are a bit of a slog. The writing style is kind of basic, though it has its moments. If I were to recommend this to anyone, I'd probably say you can safely skip the first third and not really miss much.
March 21, 2017
Personal response: I liked the book Recovery Road by Blake Nelson, because it showed me the negative effects of drugs on a persons life. I thought it was a good book because the main character was around my age so it was easier to put myself in her position to make the book more relatable to myself. I don't understand why, but the book is split into many parts with many chapters. I thought this was different, but an interesting style choice for writing.
Plot: The plot of this book is a girl getting out of rehab and finding herself as an individual. Throughout the book she goes through tragedies that makes her a stronger woman. She also experiences good things that teach her who she is, and what she wants to do in the future. The main character Madeline meets a boy during rehab named Stewart. She fell in love with him ans even though Maddie left the halfway before him she stayed commuted to their relationship and stayed sober.
Characterization: Madeline is the main character in this book. She is 16 years old, and she was a party girl. Madeline had nicknames such as Mad Dog Maddie, Mads, and Maddie. Maddie was not your typical party girl. Even though she was a big partier she was more quite and liked to isolate herself. Maddie was sent to rehab or her drinking, use of drugs and stealing habits. In rehab she made a friend named Trish and a boy, who later became her boyfriend, Stewart. Trish was in the halfway house mainly for sex, but also for drugs and alcohol. In part 2 of the book Trish ends up dying from breaking her nose after drinking too much. Stewart, Madeline's boyfriend, moved with his father a month or two after he was moved out of the halfway house. Stewart was in rehab for drugs. Maddie left rehab before Stewart and she had promised him she would stay sober so they could have a healthy relationship together when he got out.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who has an addiction to anything. I say this because it really is an eye opener on the real effects on people especially teens. This book would be a better read for girls because of all the mushy love parts, but if guys are into that it would be good for guys too.
Plot: The plot of this book is a girl getting out of rehab and finding herself as an individual. Throughout the book she goes through tragedies that makes her a stronger woman. She also experiences good things that teach her who she is, and what she wants to do in the future. The main character Madeline meets a boy during rehab named Stewart. She fell in love with him ans even though Maddie left the halfway before him she stayed commuted to their relationship and stayed sober.
Characterization: Madeline is the main character in this book. She is 16 years old, and she was a party girl. Madeline had nicknames such as Mad Dog Maddie, Mads, and Maddie. Maddie was not your typical party girl. Even though she was a big partier she was more quite and liked to isolate herself. Maddie was sent to rehab or her drinking, use of drugs and stealing habits. In rehab she made a friend named Trish and a boy, who later became her boyfriend, Stewart. Trish was in the halfway house mainly for sex, but also for drugs and alcohol. In part 2 of the book Trish ends up dying from breaking her nose after drinking too much. Stewart, Madeline's boyfriend, moved with his father a month or two after he was moved out of the halfway house. Stewart was in rehab for drugs. Maddie left rehab before Stewart and she had promised him she would stay sober so they could have a healthy relationship together when he got out.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who has an addiction to anything. I say this because it really is an eye opener on the real effects on people especially teens. This book would be a better read for girls because of all the mushy love parts, but if guys are into that it would be good for guys too.
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January 25, 2018What would happen if you had a problem and could not control it? The book Recovery Road is about a girl that has a problem just like that, Madeline goes away to a rehab center to help control her drinking and rage issues. She meets characters that will be staying with her, and then she meets Stewart, they try to get better at their problems but somehow it just gets worse. I think that the book was a good read, it was different from other books that I have read in the past. I would suggested this book to readers that like books that have some mystery and some action to them.
February 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. You can feel every emotion. The love between Maddie and Stewart is a true love in rare form. This book teaches us how to love others while self loving ourselves. Sometimes you have to let go in order to do whats best. This book is highly recommended and I hope there is a sequel for the characters!!
February 20, 2018
2.5 stars. I was expecting more from this story but it fell kind of flat. I’m glad it ends on a happy note. I kept getting increasingly annoyed with the main character. Overall just a disappointing read.
November 5, 2011
12 October 2010 RECOVERY ROAD by Blake Nelson, Scholastic Press, March 2011, 320p., ISBN: 978-0-545-10729-7
"So much time to make up
Everywhere you turn
Time we have wasted on the way"
-Graham Nash
"I'm trying to brush my teeth but I can't find my toothpaste.
"It's 9:30 in the morning. I'm standing in the bathroom, in my bathrobe and underwear. I've completed my twenty-eight days in the main building, and now I'm in my second week at my halfway house.
"Which sucks. But it would at least be tolerable if I could brush my teeth, which I can't, because I can't find my toothpaste.
"I know I have some. I just bought it two days ago at the Rite Aid.
"I open the medicine cabinet. I move stuff around. I start pulling crap out. I am sure I left it in here.
"Who took my stupid toothpaste?
"I shut the cabinet. The bathroom is disgusting. The floor is cold and sticks to my bare feet. The mirror is so scratched and old you can barely see yourself. I look through the shelves against the wall. They're full of cheap, abandoned beauty products. Pert shampoo. VO5 conditioner. Kroger's Hand and Body Lotion.
"I go back to my room. Our room, I should say, with its six bunk beds and group closet. I start digging through the shelves there, slamming things around.
"Then I know who did it: Jenna. The new girl. The one who threw a hissy fit about her kitchen duties. Tough shit, Jenna. You gotta wash the dishes your first week. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE DOES.
"That reminds me. Trish said something about her dental floss. She bought some and the next day it was gone. This is Jenna's doing too, no doubt.
"I go into Jenna's room. I don't know which bunk is hers or which suitcase. I start tearing through the shelves and the closets.
"I storm back into my own room. I am furious. I am spinning in place, looking for something to break or throw or turn over. If I had my cell phone I could call Trish right now and we could find Jenna and beat her skinny ass. But I don't have my cell phone thanks to my asshole parents who locked me in here and TOOK AWAY MY CELL PHONE LIKE I WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
"I look around. I'm gonna break something BUT EVERYTHING'S BROKEN ALREADY in the stupid HALFWAY HOUSE, because it's full of CRIMINALS and DRUG ADDICTS and TEENAGE PROSTITUTES or whatever you are, JENNA, YOU STUPID BITCH.
"I am really worked up now, I grab my bunk bed and shake it, smashing it against the wall until a painting falls off and breaks on the floor. Angela's secret ashtray drops through the springs of our bunk bed and scatters ashes and butts over my blankets.
"I grab one of the bureau drawers and yank it out of the cabinet. Clothes fly around the room.
"That's when a small white tube pops out of my bathrobe pocket, hits the floor, and bounces at my feet.
"My toothpaste.
"I pick it up. I look at it."
Meet the high school junior who, in recent years, has come to be known to all as Mad Dog Maddie.
After a long history of parties, fights, substance abuse, and arrests, Madeline Graham finds herself stuck in rehab. I've never before read detailed accounts of what it is like for a teen going through rehab. It's pretty scary stuff.
But not half as scary as watching Maddie trying to navigate her way through her fancy high school when she returns after being gone for a couple of months with everyone knowing where she's been. How do you deal with people talking about you? How do you deal with your old partying buddies? How can you have a social life when you cannot drink a beer or take a hit off a joint? Or anything? How long can you hide out in the school library during lunch? How long before you lose it?
"Around eleven, a bunch of new people arrive. The party really kicks in then. People are dancing in the living room, crowding into smaller rooms, making out in corners.
"It's extremely weird to be sober in the midst of it. It's like I'm watching everything on TV."
And what about the friends you made as you struggled together in rehab? Once you are all out, will they help keep your strong, or drag you back down when they, themselves, fail?
Given the headlines one always sees about the bad-girl celebs who are regularly in and out of rehab, I followed Maddie's day-by-day struggle to create a life after her partying days are over, wondering, Can she really keep it together? Her threadbare support system always seems right on the verge of unraveling.
When the struggle is the toughest, when there is absolutely no one there to help, when it comes down to gutting it out on inner strength, what is going to happen? Will she have that kind of strength?
Powerful, engaging, unique, and potentially life-saving, the tale of Maddie's journey to survive and make up for wasted time makes RECOVERY ROAD a story you need to read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
"So much time to make up
Everywhere you turn
Time we have wasted on the way"
-Graham Nash
"I'm trying to brush my teeth but I can't find my toothpaste.
"It's 9:30 in the morning. I'm standing in the bathroom, in my bathrobe and underwear. I've completed my twenty-eight days in the main building, and now I'm in my second week at my halfway house.
"Which sucks. But it would at least be tolerable if I could brush my teeth, which I can't, because I can't find my toothpaste.
"I know I have some. I just bought it two days ago at the Rite Aid.
"I open the medicine cabinet. I move stuff around. I start pulling crap out. I am sure I left it in here.
"Who took my stupid toothpaste?
"I shut the cabinet. The bathroom is disgusting. The floor is cold and sticks to my bare feet. The mirror is so scratched and old you can barely see yourself. I look through the shelves against the wall. They're full of cheap, abandoned beauty products. Pert shampoo. VO5 conditioner. Kroger's Hand and Body Lotion.
"I go back to my room. Our room, I should say, with its six bunk beds and group closet. I start digging through the shelves there, slamming things around.
"Then I know who did it: Jenna. The new girl. The one who threw a hissy fit about her kitchen duties. Tough shit, Jenna. You gotta wash the dishes your first week. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE DOES.
"That reminds me. Trish said something about her dental floss. She bought some and the next day it was gone. This is Jenna's doing too, no doubt.
"I go into Jenna's room. I don't know which bunk is hers or which suitcase. I start tearing through the shelves and the closets.
"I storm back into my own room. I am furious. I am spinning in place, looking for something to break or throw or turn over. If I had my cell phone I could call Trish right now and we could find Jenna and beat her skinny ass. But I don't have my cell phone thanks to my asshole parents who locked me in here and TOOK AWAY MY CELL PHONE LIKE I WAS SIX YEARS OLD.
"I look around. I'm gonna break something BUT EVERYTHING'S BROKEN ALREADY in the stupid HALFWAY HOUSE, because it's full of CRIMINALS and DRUG ADDICTS and TEENAGE PROSTITUTES or whatever you are, JENNA, YOU STUPID BITCH.
"I am really worked up now, I grab my bunk bed and shake it, smashing it against the wall until a painting falls off and breaks on the floor. Angela's secret ashtray drops through the springs of our bunk bed and scatters ashes and butts over my blankets.
"I grab one of the bureau drawers and yank it out of the cabinet. Clothes fly around the room.
"That's when a small white tube pops out of my bathrobe pocket, hits the floor, and bounces at my feet.
"My toothpaste.
"I pick it up. I look at it."
Meet the high school junior who, in recent years, has come to be known to all as Mad Dog Maddie.
After a long history of parties, fights, substance abuse, and arrests, Madeline Graham finds herself stuck in rehab. I've never before read detailed accounts of what it is like for a teen going through rehab. It's pretty scary stuff.
But not half as scary as watching Maddie trying to navigate her way through her fancy high school when she returns after being gone for a couple of months with everyone knowing where she's been. How do you deal with people talking about you? How do you deal with your old partying buddies? How can you have a social life when you cannot drink a beer or take a hit off a joint? Or anything? How long can you hide out in the school library during lunch? How long before you lose it?
"Around eleven, a bunch of new people arrive. The party really kicks in then. People are dancing in the living room, crowding into smaller rooms, making out in corners.
"It's extremely weird to be sober in the midst of it. It's like I'm watching everything on TV."
And what about the friends you made as you struggled together in rehab? Once you are all out, will they help keep your strong, or drag you back down when they, themselves, fail?
Given the headlines one always sees about the bad-girl celebs who are regularly in and out of rehab, I followed Maddie's day-by-day struggle to create a life after her partying days are over, wondering, Can she really keep it together? Her threadbare support system always seems right on the verge of unraveling.
When the struggle is the toughest, when there is absolutely no one there to help, when it comes down to gutting it out on inner strength, what is going to happen? Will she have that kind of strength?
Powerful, engaging, unique, and potentially life-saving, the tale of Maddie's journey to survive and make up for wasted time makes RECOVERY ROAD a story you need to read.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
May 3, 2018
While drugs are a big problem in the US this book isn´t just one problem it is multiple.Set in recovery a young girl Maddie Graham struggles with addiction.This is somewhat like a memoir but it is getting told and categorized as young adult fiction.It alternates between wanting to recover and get sober to actually getting into a facility and getting to the point of realizing the good in your life when you are not high or drunk.She meets a boy and falls in love but didn´t know him sober and you want to make sure that you know them not both ways but one way.She figured they fell in loved and rescued each other and even scarier things happened. She also met a friend who was a little too out there and went to a party and got drunk and she ended up dying. This book is good for some people who like reading about the drug epidemic and but I would warn you there are a lot of emotional tolls in this book so be prepared if you do want to read this book.
March 20, 2021
Very depressing.
March 7, 2011
Recently I received an ARC copy of this book, so of course reviewing is part of the package. Usually I review books on my blog, Robolobolyn's Universe of Books. Recently I haven't been able to log on to blogger.com or Gmail, or any other Google related sites, with the exception of Google itself. So I'm just going to review Recovery Road on here and post my review on my blog whenever I can.
Recovery Road is being released tomorrow, MARCH EIGHTH, 2011. Get your copy tomorrow!! (:
I really enjoyed Recovery Road, not only for it's story and message, but for it's rawness. It was very real life, very this-could-be-happening-to-real-people-right-now, that it was hard not to be touched by this book. Recovery Road tells the story of Maddie, a girl who's got some serious anger issues. Add that with substance abuse and we've got one screwed up teenage girl. When Maddie get's sent to rehab she meets Stewart, also screwed up and also in rehab. Romance ensues. But then they get out of rehab... and discover that living in the real world is harder than they think.
Maddie goes through a lot and her story is one of self-discovery. She discovers how strong she can be if she only tries... and how strong others aren't. I love how I got to see her at her very worst, and how Nelson wrote his character into one of a strong young woman at the end. I was happy that he didn't skim over the gritty details, but instead wrote them with raw emotion that some authors tend to ignore. Maddie's journey is a hard one, one that many people sadly have to face, and is so heartfelt that you can't help but cry along with her.
One thing I really couldn't stand, but have to admit is probably truer than what most authors write, is the characters. More specifically the way they came and went. They were there for a chapter and then were gone, never to be thought of again. And if they did come back into the story several chapters later I found myself not remembering who they were, and I would have to go back and reread their part. Other than Maddie and Stewart none of the characters were really memorable. Even Stewart though. I loved him... at first. Then I slowly began to pity him, then eventually I just despised him, but I won't say why! (Read Recovery Road and find out for yourself!) I do have to admit that it happens. People coming and going in your life. It happens, and since Maddie's story is spread out over a few years and through such a rough time in her life, I guess I'll have to say that it's probably pretty true to real life.
While I'd like to give Recovery Road a 4.5, I can't do that, so I've decided to go with 5 All in all, Recovery Road was a wonderful read, and I'd recommend it to anyone with a heart. So, tomorrow when you're walking by Chapters or Amazon (for you US folks) or whatever bookstore you frequent, remember to stop by and pick up a copy of Blake Nelson's newest novel, RECOVERY ROAD!
Recovery Road is being released tomorrow, MARCH EIGHTH, 2011. Get your copy tomorrow!! (:
I really enjoyed Recovery Road, not only for it's story and message, but for it's rawness. It was very real life, very this-could-be-happening-to-real-people-right-now, that it was hard not to be touched by this book. Recovery Road tells the story of Maddie, a girl who's got some serious anger issues. Add that with substance abuse and we've got one screwed up teenage girl. When Maddie get's sent to rehab she meets Stewart, also screwed up and also in rehab. Romance ensues. But then they get out of rehab... and discover that living in the real world is harder than they think.
Maddie goes through a lot and her story is one of self-discovery. She discovers how strong she can be if she only tries... and how strong others aren't. I love how I got to see her at her very worst, and how Nelson wrote his character into one of a strong young woman at the end. I was happy that he didn't skim over the gritty details, but instead wrote them with raw emotion that some authors tend to ignore. Maddie's journey is a hard one, one that many people sadly have to face, and is so heartfelt that you can't help but cry along with her.
One thing I really couldn't stand, but have to admit is probably truer than what most authors write, is the characters. More specifically the way they came and went. They were there for a chapter and then were gone, never to be thought of again. And if they did come back into the story several chapters later I found myself not remembering who they were, and I would have to go back and reread their part. Other than Maddie and Stewart none of the characters were really memorable. Even Stewart though. I loved him... at first. Then I slowly began to pity him, then eventually I just despised him, but I won't say why! (Read Recovery Road and find out for yourself!) I do have to admit that it happens. People coming and going in your life. It happens, and since Maddie's story is spread out over a few years and through such a rough time in her life, I guess I'll have to say that it's probably pretty true to real life.
While I'd like to give Recovery Road a 4.5, I can't do that, so I've decided to go with 5 All in all, Recovery Road was a wonderful read, and I'd recommend it to anyone with a heart. So, tomorrow when you're walking by Chapters or Amazon (for you US folks) or whatever bookstore you frequent, remember to stop by and pick up a copy of Blake Nelson's newest novel, RECOVERY ROAD!
June 17, 2015
This book wasn't very well structured and it didn't flow organically and I disagreed with it as a whole. I would not recommend it for those reasons and more, even though the story could've been good. So it's about a recovering girl in rehab, because she was addicted to alcohol and drugs. Then she meets a guy, they fall in love, she gets out of rehab, and later he gets out of rehab but awkwardness occurs and stuff goes down. Ya know. And I was hoping for a good book that was professional in both structure and story and whatnot. But it wasn't bringing many good qualities to the table. The format, for one, was interesting. The story was made of about nine parts, and each part had a number of short chapters. All chapters in each section began with 1 on a pill. I didn't really like that and didn't get how it fit into the story. The cover was also a heart of pills, which my mom didn't agree with. I liked the aspect of the heart and the recovery but I don't think the title really embodies the story. And all the little chapters didn't flow well for me, and I kept on feeling these awkward empty time lapses and such. One of the reasons I decided to pick this book up was to see what it would be like to be a recovering addict. I wanted to see what the mindset would be like, and better understand how they think. It's one thing to learn about addictive substances and their control, but another to experience how someone is controlled and see the impact the substance makes on their life. I didn't feel like I was able to understand and learn about Maddie's lifestyle, and was often left in the dark wondering what she meant. Some of the drug-related references were confusing and never well described. I didn't get a lot of exposition and, as a result, was confused a lot. This contributed to the book's weird lapse effect, where things didn't flow or weave well. Also, Maddie's relationship with Stewart wasn't that great. It was so rushed and awkward and not really cute or romantic and kinda fake and yeah. They barely know each other, and all of a sudden Maddie says "I love you". And Stewart just says "okay then", but later says it back so that's good. But then they have sex and still barely know each other and if they did know each other as romantic partners it doesn't really show and the scene didn't really work and wasn't sweet or anything at all. I feel really let down by this book, and I'm sorry that Stewart went back to being an addict but did he really have to be such a butt to the people that at least tried to reach out? I can't really trust that this is what being a recovering addict is like because it wasn't explained well and didn't feel natural and none of it flowed organically and I didn't like the book at all. The story was slightly better but a let down. I don't necessarily regret reading this book but I know I won't be reading any more books by Blake Nelson because I just don't like the style.
February 7, 2011
Recovery Road is the story of two teens, Madeline and Stewart, both with blemished pasts and a brand new opportunity for a fresh start from rehab. At the lowest point in their lives, Madeline and Stewart fall for one another, giving them a sense of togetherness in a void of confusion, but when they’re released, reality strikes back. When Madeline is released, she’s determined to get her life back together, and she’s excited for Stewart to join her in healing after rehab, but when he’s released, it’s clear the darkness is still there, and they’re spiraling downwards together. Again.
I’ve been dying to read Recovery Road for a long time now, in large part because of the captivating premise and simplistic cover. Blake Nelson has created a story where the characters are every bit as addicting as the addiction itself, spinning you along on a path of destruction, self-discovery and, ultimately, the desire for redemption. The beauty if Recovery Road lies in the realistic portrayal of the devastating nature of addiction, whether it be to drugs, attention, or companionship. Addiction, in itself, becomes a character, making it a raw and real adventure.
Madeline is one of those characters that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to relate to but somehow could. She has rage issues, drug dependency and a desperate desire to find fulfillment somewhere and, frankly, anywhere. Stewart is presented as your typical bad boy, but there’s an endearing edge to him, as well, making him someone you love to hate and hate to love. Throw in a few secondary characters with their own issues, and Recovery Road is a rollercoaster ride of emotion. I have to say that the plot was strong for Recovery Road, but the characters were strong, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s almost as though one fuels and tempers the other, making the pacing strong and steady. The only real issue I had with the book was the chapter length. They were only a few pages apiece, and I prefer medium-length chapters. Luckily, however, it didn’t affect the pacing, so that’s just personal preference.
All in all, Recovery Road was a fabulous, fast-paced ride in which you feel for the characters every step of the way. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who like edgy stories and contemporary fiction, specifically.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
I’ve been dying to read Recovery Road for a long time now, in large part because of the captivating premise and simplistic cover. Blake Nelson has created a story where the characters are every bit as addicting as the addiction itself, spinning you along on a path of destruction, self-discovery and, ultimately, the desire for redemption. The beauty if Recovery Road lies in the realistic portrayal of the devastating nature of addiction, whether it be to drugs, attention, or companionship. Addiction, in itself, becomes a character, making it a raw and real adventure.
Madeline is one of those characters that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to relate to but somehow could. She has rage issues, drug dependency and a desperate desire to find fulfillment somewhere and, frankly, anywhere. Stewart is presented as your typical bad boy, but there’s an endearing edge to him, as well, making him someone you love to hate and hate to love. Throw in a few secondary characters with their own issues, and Recovery Road is a rollercoaster ride of emotion. I have to say that the plot was strong for Recovery Road, but the characters were strong, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s almost as though one fuels and tempers the other, making the pacing strong and steady. The only real issue I had with the book was the chapter length. They were only a few pages apiece, and I prefer medium-length chapters. Luckily, however, it didn’t affect the pacing, so that’s just personal preference.
All in all, Recovery Road was a fabulous, fast-paced ride in which you feel for the characters every step of the way. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who like edgy stories and contemporary fiction, specifically.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
December 29, 2012
From an adult perspective, I totally understand this book. It's a different take on addiction, as it begins with the main character, Maddie, closing out a stint in rehab. The story follows her post-rehab as she tries to readjust to life on the outside as a clean and sober person in the midst of some serious high school partying. Facing her old friends is just part of the challenges she faces, though, as a huge part of her focus is staying connected with Stewart, a boy she met in rehab and fell in love with. Though their actual time together is short, Stewart and Maddie are deeply connected, especially because of the bond they share being recovering addicts. While Maddie is ultimately able to recover and eventually finish high school on time and attend a decent college, Stewart is not able to maintain his sobriety. Maddie feels indebted to him and goes to great lengths to try to help him, only to encounter the drowning man syndrome ("You try to save the drowning man but he grabs you, clings to you, takes you down with him.).
From a YA perspective, I'm not so sure about this book. All of the events that would have made for great story telling (Maddie partying, beating people up, etc.) have all taken place before the story even begins and are only referenced in the past tense. Truthfully, this book was largely boring, just like Maddie's experience in rehab was. Maybe the prose was designed to reflect the real life experience of rehab, but I only see a very specific YA audience liking this book.
The author made it a point to bring the book full circle with detailing Maddie's experiences in college, but I think that just made the story more redundant. I don't think this book needed a clean cut ending in that sense. It should have been 50-100 pages shorter. There was also a lack of figurative language, which I always find annoying. Very few original metaphors or similes--just a lot of stream of consciousness statements. The one plus was the short chapters. This made the book easy to read.
This is a Florida Teens Read nominee. There are lots of drug references and use, plus some sex, so I would only recommend it to older teens who show interest in the topic.
From a YA perspective, I'm not so sure about this book. All of the events that would have made for great story telling (Maddie partying, beating people up, etc.) have all taken place before the story even begins and are only referenced in the past tense. Truthfully, this book was largely boring, just like Maddie's experience in rehab was. Maybe the prose was designed to reflect the real life experience of rehab, but I only see a very specific YA audience liking this book.
The author made it a point to bring the book full circle with detailing Maddie's experiences in college, but I think that just made the story more redundant. I don't think this book needed a clean cut ending in that sense. It should have been 50-100 pages shorter. There was also a lack of figurative language, which I always find annoying. Very few original metaphors or similes--just a lot of stream of consciousness statements. The one plus was the short chapters. This made the book easy to read.
This is a Florida Teens Read nominee. There are lots of drug references and use, plus some sex, so I would only recommend it to older teens who show interest in the topic.
Read
December 9, 2016The main character in the book is Maddie. She starts off in her halfway house, the second part of rehab. Shes 16 and has one friend there, Trish. They get their night out when they go to movie night. Maddie goes alone when Trish goes home and meets a boy in another house,Stewart. They break rules to see each other and fall in love. Maddie goes home and realizes she had no friends because her old ones aren't good for her to be around. Stewart goes home too and they see each other until he moves to a different city. While gone Trish dies and when he comes back Stewart has a new girlfriend so him and Maddie break up but have some contact still. Maddie decides to try in school so she works and gets into college on the East Coast. Eventually over winter break of sophomore year in college she sees stewart living in the streets and drinking and he won't accept her help. She ends up in school with a job and starts dating and really with a new life in the end.
This book is good for teenagers i think. Anyone who is in high school and knows the pressure and stresses that come with being that age. It's easy to understand the main character when you know how hard being a teenager and relationships can be. Also maybe anyone who likes to see stories turn out good. By that i mean it makes you feel good to see how well things ended and it makes you happy for the character. If you like an easy and pretty simple read you'll like this.
I give this book 3 stars. I thought the love story was pretty cute because she always had him in her heart. But one of my favorite things was that they didn't end up together. It made their relationship more realistic and it was good to see a girl who got on with herself and had a good life without the guy. The main thing i disliked about the book was that something big would happen and then a page later it was over. There wasn't a huge problem that took a while to solve and was complicated to work out.
This book is good for teenagers i think. Anyone who is in high school and knows the pressure and stresses that come with being that age. It's easy to understand the main character when you know how hard being a teenager and relationships can be. Also maybe anyone who likes to see stories turn out good. By that i mean it makes you feel good to see how well things ended and it makes you happy for the character. If you like an easy and pretty simple read you'll like this.
I give this book 3 stars. I thought the love story was pretty cute because she always had him in her heart. But one of my favorite things was that they didn't end up together. It made their relationship more realistic and it was good to see a girl who got on with herself and had a good life without the guy. The main thing i disliked about the book was that something big would happen and then a page later it was over. There wasn't a huge problem that took a while to solve and was complicated to work out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2016
*** 3.5 ***
En dépit d'une couverture trompeuse (Maddie n'est pas accro aux médocs), ce roman YA traite bien d'une addiction, celle de Maddie en particulier, et plus globalement, celle des jeunes, et les comportements à risque que cela entraîne.
Le roman est écrit à la 1ère personne, c'est Maddie, 17 ans dans 3 semaines, qui raconte sa désintox, qui nous livre ses pensées. D'un bout à l'autre du livre on la voit se relever, trébucher, se relever encore, reprendre espoir, faire des projets et aller de l'avant. Elle suit une évolution tout à fait réaliste.
Blake Nelson dresse le portrait d'une jeunesse à la dérive, un malaise qui touche différentes classes sociales. Le ton n'est ni moralisateur ni misérabiliste, le sujet est dur et les situations traversées par les personnages ne sont pas enjolivées, bien qu'ils soient encore très jeunes. Certains passages sont d'ailleurs particulièrement glaçants. :/
Les personnages secondaires servent le récit avec beaucoup de justesse, j'ai notamment beaucoup apprécié Martin le geek/blaireau qui est un jeune garçon vraiment adorable, Trish qui m'a fendue le coeur, Stewart qui lui aussi m'a attristée .. Et Emily, elle aussi attachante, qui suit une évolution éloignée de ce que j'avais imaginé au départ.
Cependant, je trouve que le récit manque un peu de profondeur, certains points auraient gagné à être développés, tout comme je comprends pas l'attitude des parents de Maddie lorsqu'elle rentre à la maison.
Le découpage en chapitres courts et en différentes parties donne une cohérence à l'ensemble, les pages s'enchaînent sans difficulté et on se retrouve à terminer ce livre en quelques heures.
Un YA pas mal donc, Blake Nelson est un auteur que je suivrai désormais !
En dépit d'une couverture trompeuse (Maddie n'est pas accro aux médocs), ce roman YA traite bien d'une addiction, celle de Maddie en particulier, et plus globalement, celle des jeunes, et les comportements à risque que cela entraîne.
Le roman est écrit à la 1ère personne, c'est Maddie, 17 ans dans 3 semaines, qui raconte sa désintox, qui nous livre ses pensées. D'un bout à l'autre du livre on la voit se relever, trébucher, se relever encore, reprendre espoir, faire des projets et aller de l'avant. Elle suit une évolution tout à fait réaliste.
Blake Nelson dresse le portrait d'une jeunesse à la dérive, un malaise qui touche différentes classes sociales. Le ton n'est ni moralisateur ni misérabiliste, le sujet est dur et les situations traversées par les personnages ne sont pas enjolivées, bien qu'ils soient encore très jeunes. Certains passages sont d'ailleurs particulièrement glaçants. :/
Les personnages secondaires servent le récit avec beaucoup de justesse, j'ai notamment beaucoup apprécié Martin le geek/blaireau qui est un jeune garçon vraiment adorable, Trish qui m'a fendue le coeur, Stewart qui lui aussi m'a attristée .. Et Emily, elle aussi attachante, qui suit une évolution éloignée de ce que j'avais imaginé au départ.
Cependant, je trouve que le récit manque un peu de profondeur, certains points auraient gagné à être développés, tout comme je comprends pas l'attitude des parents de Maddie lorsqu'elle rentre à la maison.
Le découpage en chapitres courts et en différentes parties donne une cohérence à l'ensemble, les pages s'enchaînent sans difficulté et on se retrouve à terminer ce livre en quelques heures.
Un YA pas mal donc, Blake Nelson est un auteur que je suivrai désormais !
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