Here Lies Bridget
by
Paige Harbison
After reading Here Lies Bridget I had to have a few days to really process it. I have seen many other opinions about this book being judged only by Bridget's vulgar attitude. When people read a book, the whole book really needs to be taken into perspective. Not just the character. I found myself at the end with tears streaming down my cheeks. I certainly never expected Here Lies Bridget to touch me in such a way, but it has. I have known someone like Bridget and I think that's what some of these readers are missing. I've had that connection.
Bridget's so used to getting her way and now things aren't. She doesn't care who she takes out-takes down-and gets in trouble, as long as she comes out on top. The odd thing is-everybody has always loved Bridget! She's always been the ringleader. Little Miss Popular. Meredith, Bridget's step-mother even plans parties for her to have just to get Bridget to like her, but Bridget can't stand Meredith no matter how hard Meredith tries. Everybody has always flocked to Bridget.
It didn't all happen at once. It happened over a period of time. Everything just slowly started falling apart. Bridget's whole life, crumbling around her. Days didn't seem to have value anymore. Nobody seemed the same. Nobody followed Bridget's rules. Everyone ignored her at lunch, no guys where calling to ask her out, and her friends always seemed too busy for her now. She seemed to now be the third wheel. And then it happens. All the lying finally catches up to her. Furious, Bridget leaves school and jumps in her car only to drive as fast as she can. Thinking to herself as she's driving, they would miss me if I'm gone, if I wreck they would come to my funeral and really weep and mourn me!
Let's just say she gets her chance at what she wants as well as an eye opener.
4/5 stars. 219 pages. Published by Harlequin Teen 2011. Received from Netgalley.
I've been a little hesitant to pick up this book. But I have to say that your opening statement and your final sentence has made me look at this book in a different light. We always hope for karma, but to see the "lies catch up" and her inability to understand what's gone wrong - it kind of makes Bridget seem a bit sympathetic, just a smidgen. I'm going to add HERE LIES BRIDGET to the list.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad your adding it. It was a good book. Just a little harsh at times. Not many YA books like that.
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