Book Report - Why We Broke Up

Title: Why We Broke Up
Authour: Daniel Handler
Length: 354 pages
How long it took me to read: 4 days

What it's about: 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

The ending is the most important part: Whoa, I just barely saw that coming!

Last word:  I found myself hoping for Min and Ed throughout the book. I found myself thinking that they could just work things out and that they should totally have got back together. Until the end. This is a great book, full of googly, squishy, high school love feelings. It's honest, the illustrations are terrific, and I loved how true it was.

Spoilers after the jump

I loved how true this book was. It perfectly depicted high school live, love and friends. I could totally tell how Min could love Ed, and vice versa. I spent most of the book wondering why they broke up and rooting for them to get back together. Until the end. The ending sewed things up in and amazing bow. The ending was done so well. How could you do that Ed? You coward! You punk!! You jerk!!

The character I felt the most sorry for was Al, though. Poor Al.

I just totally loved this book. It was a pleasure to read.

This book is well written, beautifully illustrated, and was an exceptional joy to read.