Cut

Rating:
Summary: Great novel!!
Review: Cut is a powerful book about the self-loathing and confusion that seems to be such a part of adolescence. Callie, the main character, is "staying" at Sea Pines, a rehabilitation unit for teenagers. Reluctant to discuss her problems, she finally discusses her habit of cutting herself with her counselor. This painful outlet seems the only way Callie can release any of her inner turmoil. Her relationship with her mother, father, and her sickly younger brother all play a part in her illness. While she decides to work at getting better, it is only when she runs away from the facility that she starts to see the truth of her situation; sometimes other people make mistakes and we pay for them. Highly recommend to anyone who felt out of control as a teenager (most of us at one time or another) or anyone who has a teenager.

Rating:
Summary: "Cuts" to the Heart of the Issue
Review: Fifteen-year-old Callie has a rare problem. She's not anorexic, she's not on drugs, and she's not bulimic. But she cuts herself. Soon she finds herself at a "residential treatment facility", Sea Pines (or "Sick Minds", as she calls it) and her hurt shows its face when she refuses to talk. Nothing seems to break the silence coming from Callie, and sometimes she just gets the urge to slice her skin, to see the blood...and it's like she's determined never to talk to her therapist. This book is a masterfully written story chronicling (in detail) the thoughts that whirl around in Callie's mind. It is filled with vivid and poignant emotions, and Patricia McCormick develops her main character well. Callie's relationships with the other girls at the treatment facility add subtle insights about human nature and the universal need of friendship. I enjoyed how Callie's family life and her reasons for "cutting" were slowly explored and explained in this novel-in a very natural and empathetic way, without being contrite. But the best thing about this book was its hopeful ending that leaves us with the feeling that Callie has emerged from her treatment stronger, wiser, and able to overcome the temptation to cut herself. I hope to see more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: A book I could really relate to
Review: Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Without saying too much about my personal life, I was really able to relate to a lot of this book. For any young adult going through any tough times, I reccomend this...definately!

Rating:
Summary: Speechlessness
Review: Cut, a powerful story by Patricia McCormick. Words cannot express what I feel about this story, but I'll try. This story about a 15 year-old girl is absolutely moving. It made me cry in some parts, smile in some parts. I cannot tell you what this story is about, ... the synopsis, and the book itself that can tell you that. This story is amazing. All I can say is ... wow.

Rating:
Summary: Good Story, But Lacks Information
Review: This was the first book I have read on the subject of self-mutilation, and I think it aptly describes this phenomenon which mystifies professionals to this day. Callie is a fifteen year-old girl receiving treatment at a psychiatric treatment center, Sea Pines, spitefully known as "Sick Minds". Resistant to treatment and sharing any of her secrets, Callie refuses to speak at all. As she makes her way through treatment, we learn a great deal about her peers and routines at Sea Pines, as well as the staff and treatment policies. Even when Callie is threatened with expulsion from the program due to non-compliance, she refuses to divulge what is troubling her. It is only when she cuts herself so deeply that she fears she will bleed to death, that she calls on a staff member for help, and then decides to confide in her therapist. We soon learn that the roots of Callie's problem lie in feelings of guilt and responsibility toward her younger brother, as well as a distant father. The ending leaves us with the promise that Callie will battle and overcome her behavior.

This book was pretty good. It did a very good job of describing what life is like in a psychiatric ward and how the various illness populations relate to each other (ie: drug-addicts, anorexics, overeaters, and self-injurers). Ironically, I found that this book had the opposite problem of many others: while we met many interesting and thought-provoking characters: the staff and the girls on the ward, I found Callie to be rather flat and uninteresting. I also agree with other reviewers that the plot-line was a little too cliche--a girl refusing to speak about her problems and then being won over by a therapist or trusted other. I also do not feel that this book really explained why people like Callie self-mutilate, in fact, it did not really deal with the behavior much at all. The ending, although hopeful, was a bit unrealistic. I do not think a psychiatric hospital would really act so kindly in such a situation. In general, I would say this is a pretty good story, and a good reference for life in a psych. ward, but does not give a lot of depth into the issue of self-mutilation.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant story of a girl who needs help
Review: Cut by Patricia McCormick was an excellent read. Stress. Piercing pain, slicing, stabbing. This is what callie feels,when everything around her starts to pile up, she decides to slit her wrists as a way of relieving the pain bottled up inside her. Her mother finds out and sends her to Sea Pines, a correctional facility. This book leads you through her route of self discovery there. You feel like you are there and you just want to help her but you can't, and you can almost hear Callie's voice trying to break through. It's happy but sad at the same time and this book helped me realize a lot of things about my own life. I think Mccmormick was trying to send a message to mainly teenage girls about the consequences of slitting or the hardships of self destruction. This book was written really well and it kept you guessing and hoping for more and it teaches you a great lesson so that is why I enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: good, but not what i expected
Review: this book was a very good and intense read...but it wasnt really what i expected. the girl in the story indeed cuts herself as the title may suggest, but there isnt really much in the book about cutting. if youre looking for a book talking more about cutting, i wouldnt suggest this. but it is a good read nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Good writing about a difficult subject
Review: I thought this book was amazing. I picked it up during school not really expecting anything special. Once I started reading, though, I couldn't put it down. I was up until 1:30 in the morning finishing it. I have friends who are cutters and the book really gave me some insight and helped me understand why they cut. I think everyone should definitely read this book.
Would also recommend the following: Bright Red Scream, Children's Corner by McCrae, and Bodily Harm.

Rating:
Summary: On My Top Ten List is Cut
Review: This book was one of the best books I have ver read. McCormick really takes you inside the heart of the problem that is seelf mutilation. She wrote so well that it seemed as if I was feeling the pain and not just the people in the book. EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: wish there was another book by this author
Review: 'Cut'leads readers into life of teenagers' who has mental disorders. It's been quite a while since i've read this book, but I still haven't forgotten the main character of this book; Callie. i liked the way the author used Callie as the narrator, and how original she is. it makes the book humorous and realistic. But Callie is not alone; she is amongst others who have different disorders. Since I know other people who have similar problems, i thought this book really spoke to the readers. Maybe this book was too short... The solution to Callie's problem did seem a bit abrupt,but then again, I couldn't have written the book nearly as good. I recommend this book to anyone above the age of 12. Reason: language, content. Content: maybe too intense/difficult for kids under 12. Might also be hard to understand the condition the characters are in, and feel the way they are trying to fight the condition.