I had heard mixed reviews about Prep: A Novel, by Curtis Sittenfeld. I had wanted to read it, so when I was helping out with the first NoBloPoMo, I received a copy from Eden in exchange. I’ll admit that the mixed reviews explain why I hadn’t read it until now.

I needed a break from some of my books for review, so I read it over the past couple of days. Meh. I almost put it down a number of times, but I kept thinking it would get better. It didn’t.

Maybe my viewpoint is skewed because of a step-brother and sister-in-law teaching at boarding schools. Or because I grew up in the Northeast rather than the Midwest. Or because I grew up in a wealthy suburb with kids who ended up at prep schools. Whatever the reason, I am baffled that I spent that much time reading 400 pages of a story about an overly anxious, overly self-conscious high schooler. I’m even more boggled that reviewers compared Prep to The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield was infinitely more well adjusted than Lee Fiora.  He is also much more compelling.

I kept thinking that Lee would be happier as the book went on. Nope. It left me feeling disappointed and sad. So, anyone want my copy of Prep? It’s one of only three books I remember actively disliking in the last few years. As someone who has literally read hundreds of books in that time period, that’s either saying something about my impressive book selection skills or my ability to enjoy reading almost anything.