Thin Skin

Rating:
Summary: ruby will draw you in!
Review: I devoured this book in one long afternoon which, unexpectedly became a late night as I turned page after page. Plans were cancelled, wine was opened, and this book was read. (And, remarkably, it all happened in the passive voice!)

The true treasure of Thin Skin is Ruby's unflinching honesty. Whether you like Ruby or not, you will empathize with her by the end of the novel - and probably much sooner. Ruby is delightfully, and at times painfully forthcoming throughout her pursuit of a lost love. Upon this honesty (rare for a writer so young), Forrest hangs her fresh prose and imagery.

This Emma Forrest is a talent to keep your eyes out for, so stop reading these reviews and give a young writer a chance already!

Rating:
Summary: Really Made Me Think
Review: I just finished Thin Skin, and it was very difficult for me to do. Not because Ms. Forrest is a poor writer, totally the opposite. But because Ruby is exactly like me, down to the very last detail. Maybe those of you who thought Ruby is an amateur character, or just plain annoying, have never met someone who needed help like that, but the reason I could hardly stand reading about her was because it was like reading a friends diary, that said exactly what they really thought of me. It wasn't pretty. I've known I've needed serious help for a long time now, but it wasn't until I read thin skin that I seriously begain considering what I would turn out like if I continued this way. While there is very little, if any, plot, and it does tend to ramble, those of you who know what its like to be alone, to be terrified of food, to hate yourself so much you go out there, looking for someone elses love to fill the gap, will be able to relate. And those of you who know someone like that, and really just cant understand, this is probably the book for you too. For those of you who dislike ruby, find her annoying and a pain in the ass, keep in mind while you read that there are real people out there,like me, who are the same way, and they need your help too. Thin Skin REALLY made me think, about myself.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely intriguing writing style, with a rail-thin plot
Review: This is an unusual book to recommend, because it is not the story or characters that kept me intrigued, but the writing style of the young Emma Forrest. Her style is quirky, intriguing, and out of nowhere. She could describe baking a cake, and you'd be interested. The observations made through her characters are written in a style that stays in your head, even if the characters do not.

Although I recommend this book, the plot is not much to recommend. The story centers around Ruby, a Christina Ricci-esque actress who is described as narcisscistic, bulimic, and selfish, and has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Although we get a peek into her past, the death of her mother, and her emancipation from her father, it is difficult to feel any real connection to her as a character. There is no real cohesiveness to her relationships with any of the other thinly-drawn characters in the book, including the painter she has pined for since the age of twelve. Ruby has no conscience, and I found it impossible to feel connected to her or her story.

Still, Emma Forrest is very young, and has a tremendous amount of potential. I would like to read other things she has written, since she simply writes in a style that reels you in, regardless of the vapidness of the plot or characters.