crazy beautiful

Title: crazy beautiful

Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Copyright Date: 2009

Print Date: September 2009

ISBN: 9780547223070

Pages: 193


Book Description (from dust jacket):

I would give a lot to see that smile
again, directed at me.
It may not be much, but I would give
everything I've got.

In an explosion of his own making, Lucius blew his arms off. Now he has hooks. He chose hooks because they were cheaper. He chose hooks because he wouldn't outgrow them so quickly. He chose hooks so that everyone would know he was different, so he would scare even himself.

Then he meets Aurora. The hooks don't scare her. They don't keep her away. In fact, they don't make any difference at all to her.

But to Lucius, they mean everything. They remind him of the beast he is inside. Perhaps Aurora is his Beauty, destined to set his soul free from its suffering.

Or maybe she's just a girl who needs love just like he does.

Comments:

I first heard about this through J. Kaye. She reviewed it, had an interview with the author about it, and just generally talked it up. There was no doubt she loved it.

After the interview I decided, okay, I'll try it. I placed a hold at the local library, and read it pretty much as soon as it came in.

And I did like it, particularly Lucius. I had a small issue with Aurora's reaction to certain events toward the end. Spoiler: Highlight to read. (She's decided he's this horrible person (understandably) ... Then suddenly, with one smile and chin jut toward Lucius from her father, the blinders are lifted and she sees the true Lucius. I guess it was just too abrupt for me.) Otherwise, a quick enjoyable read, I love the take on the Beauty/Beast theme, and I'm glad I read it.