Why We Broke Up [Paperback]

This book is simply gorgeous! Written by Daniel Handler, author of the fabulous Lemony Snicket series, it is beautifully illustrated throughout by Maira Kalman. When it first arrived, I spent ages leafing through it just looking at all the lovely art. This book is so lovely that you'll want to have it sitting on your shelves so that you can pull it down and show it off to all your friends.

The premise of 'Why We Broke Up' is to chart the end of the relationship between Min and her boyfriend Ed. At the very start, Min returns to him a box full of items which are connected to the time they spent together and then proceeds to tell him through a series of letters which make up the book itself, why each of these are significant to the reason they are no longer a couple. I thought that their story was uniquely told by Handler, who takes us back to show us the start, middle and end of their love and the pain felt by Min over their break-up.

Min and Ed are an unusual couple because he is your typical jock, sometimes more interested in playing basketball than in spending time with her. She's the polar opposite in so many ways. She's extremely cultured and loves old films (a passion I share with her!). She has a few close friends, such as the fabulous Al but isn't part of the social scene in the same way that Ed is and so the two come across as not having many mutual interests. I liked the way that she tried to always remain true to herself, even though she's often being pulled in different directions by her feeling for Ed.

The story itself started off well, but I thought that it started getting a bit repetitive in the middle and I seemed to be waiting for something more to happen. As much of the book is about Min's feelings and emotions, I found it quite slow in places, with not enough actually going on to keep my interest at times.

I think I actually loved the idea of the book, more than I loved the actual book itself. I like the fact that Daniel Handler tries to explore the pain of a break-up and of the loss of a first love but although I connected with the character of Min, I found Ed came across as slightly shallow and I never felt that I'd really gotten to the bottom of what made him who he was.

'Why We Broke Up' is an interesting (and gorgeous) book but probably not one that I'd want to read over and over again. Although for me it didn't tick all the boxes, I have read some brilliant reviews of this title, so I would suggest reading it and giving it a try...if only to enjoy the simply divine artwork thoughout.

Min, (Short for Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom), is a movie loving, 'whatnot' saying girl who begins this story by dropping off a box at Ed Slaterton's house with a THUNK! Within this box lays their relationship from start to finish, each item a part of their journey, and the words on the pages are the extended letter Min encloses within the box, telling the story of why they broke up.

I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book, the actual release date being tomorrow (6th August), so I finished it just in time.

I didn't quite know what to expect with this story and, to begin with, I found the voice of Min and the style in which it is written somewhat jarring. But within the first few paragraphs I became hooked on her and her story. There was something so refreshing in the voice, the way that the book is essentially one great big letter and it is told as such. There are parts where Min rambles, where she shoots off on tangents and reveals a little more about her world, there are parts where she simply relays a conversation and it becomes something so magical and clever.

Ed Slaterton, while completely flawed, becomes rather loveable around the middle of the story, despite the complications between him and Min's other friends. There are moments where the romantic gestures are practically cinematic and I felt like I could reach out and touch them.

Other characters within the story, Al and Annette for example, are told with such a bold honesty that I half expected to see them around afterwards, once I closed the book. It is a testament to the talent that Handler has that he has created such vivid characters that I want to hang out with and get to know a little more.

Despite knowing the eventual outcome of the story, the very title of the book giving away that this is a story of heart break, you spend 300 pages becoming so invested in their relationship that the break up still comes as a shock. The way it is executed not even being the saddest part. The really interesting part is the reaction of Min to the break up, the self doubt and over analysing making this book so relatable.

Whether you have suffered heartbreak or not, this book is a treasure that easily breaks down age barriers between teen and adult fiction. This story of young love is an honest account and a rare find within the genre.

I would recommend this to a higher end of the teen audience due to the issues of virginity and some profanity.

George - [...]

I expected a lot more from this book considering some reviews that I had seen on here. But I found the book to be extremly slow moving and found it difficult to actually care about the characters and what happened to them. All in all I wouldn't recommened this book if you're looking for an indepth read.