Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Paperback, 250 pages
Published May 11th 2004 by Puffin
Source: Bought
Summary (from Goodreads)
Wake up, Caitlin
Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He’s magnetic. He’s compelling. He’s dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else-her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?
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My Review:
Well, the summary is right- I did want to scream at Caitlin to wake up for just about the entire book. This book was not for me. It got better towards the very end but for most of the book I was annoyed with the characters. To start off, I read to page 90 and I was still not sure where the story was going to go. This is too long of a slow build up for me. I like to kind of know what I’m reading about when I hit the half way point of a book.
Another thing I did not like were the characters. I was not in love with any of them, and in fact most of them bugged me. I know that the point of the book was to show struggle and shed some light on some darker issues but I would have enjoyed the book more if I had connected with or felt drawn to some of the main characters. (then I would have been more interested in their struggles or the journey)
It was a realistic book and I know it dealt with darker issues, but I was just annoyed with Caitlin for most of the time. I think part of the reason I did not love this book was because there was very little happiness of any kind in it. Even when books are dark or dealing with serious things, I like a little lightness thrown in at points and there was not much of that here.
The writing of this book was great, and I am hoping that means I will enjoy some of Sarah Dessen’s other books more. This was my first book of hers that I have read, so I was a little disappointed, but I am hoping with other characters and a different storyline I will like some of her other books more. I have heard great things about her as an author, and I really did enjoy her writing style, she had such a nice and detailed way of explaining things. I am holding out hope and I will give another one of her books a shot.
2.5/5 Gavels.
Chey
Hmm, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this book. I’ll have to try reading this one, since it’s been sitting on my shelf for a few weeks. I didn’t really enjoy That Summer or Someone Like You but I did like Keeping the Moon, so who knows. Thanks for your thoughts!
Nakoya
I’m a huge Sarah Dessen fan and Dreamland is actually one of my favorites. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it.
Sarika
Hey! That is a really great review. I like how you have spoken of your dislike towards the book in a meaningful way and given justifications! Yet, I find the book to be interesting and would like to read it. 🙂
LisaILJ
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LisaILJ
This was by far my least favorite Sarah Dessen book. She is one of my favorite writers, but this book just didn’t work for me either. I don’t know if it was the subject matter that was just so disturbing or what, but every other Dessen book is better than this one. I do hope you give her other books a chance, This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever are some of the best books I have read.
TayteH
As much as I like Sarah Dessen, this book sounds……sounds like a drag. Fromn the summary, it sounds like a love sick girl who is addicted to her boyfriend and when he’s gone, she goes through withdrawal. Sure, I get why she does. Her sister’s gone and her mother’s good for nothing, but still, life can’t revolve around a boy. 😐 Thanks for the review!
Jen
I’m a huge Sarah Dessen fan, but some of her books aren’t as great as others. Like this book was ok, but i agree with you the Caitlin annoyed me too. 🙂