Freaky Green Eyes

Rating:
Summary: Freaky Green Eyes
Review: Fifteen-year-old Franky Pierson knows that her famous sportscaster father has a bad temper. She also knows that her parents do not get along and that sometimes violence erupts. When her mother moves into a cabin she owns and only visits a few days a week, Franky thinks they just need their own space for a little while. But things seem to get worse and her father's behavior becomes more extreme.

Franky's alter ego, Freaky Green Eyes, is a tough personality that saves her from dangerous and scary situations and is now needed more and more often at home. When her mother disappears, Franky does not want to know what happened. But the truth always seems to have a way of getting out.

Fans of Joyce Carol Oates's marvelous BIG MOUTH & UGLY GIRL most likely will be disappointed with this effort. It's fairly obvious early on in the book what's going to happen and who will be to blame for it. While Franky's denial of her terrible home life is realistic, it goes on for far too long for the patience of readers.

I believe the symbolism of the Freaky Green Eyes is too heavy-handed for savvy teen readers. The book starts by explaining the name in a scene that is strongly reminiscent of Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK. But the near-rape scene does not quite fit in with the domestic violence in Franky's home, making the nickname somewhat confusing.

Oates has always been a master of voice, and readers will understand Franky even if they are exasperated with her delayed ability to see the signs of what's coming. Her strong characterization is not enough, however, to overcome the stereotyped parents and predictable plot.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Rating:
Summary: Oates at her best
Review: I just finished Freaky Green Eyes, and I must admit that I almost enjoy the young adult titles by Oates better that I like her adult fiction. This book was simply amazing. Oates tells the story of a dysfunctional marriage through the eyes of the oldest teenage daughter in the house with so much accuracy that I felt like I was fifteen again. The story reminded me of something that I would see on the news, (reminiscent of the OJ Simpson trial), however, with Oates's close attention to detail and intricate character development she puts a truly unique spin on a common theme. The plot of the story sneaks up on you and before you realize it this coming of age memoir turns into the kind of suspense novel that demands to be read in one sitting.

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Summary: Freaky green eyes - as good as Big mouth ugly girl?
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written, though quite drawn out at certain parts. After reading Big Mouth Ugly Girl, this book slightly dissapointed me. I very much enjoyed Big Mouth Ugly Girl, and was highly impressed by Joyce Carol Oates work and her using ambiguity in the book. I was hoping that Freaky green eyes would be like that, but it was not. However, I did enjoy Freaky Green Eyes. Joyce Carol Oates portrayed the character of franky and her alter ego,"freaky", very well. The character of Freaky/Franky is a very understandable character, that you get to know through the book. Unfortunately, you might not always like her, and might, at times, become exasperated with her inability to see what is going on, but over all, I enjoyed this book.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!
Review: Joyce Carol Oates has far surpassed her first young adult novel, Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, with Freaky Green Eyes. I loved this novel and couldn't put it down. As a high school English teacher, I've recommended it to several students and word of mouth has spread--everyone can't wait to read Freaky Green Eyes.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!
Review: Joyce Carol Oates has far surpassed her first young adult novel, Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, with Freaky Green Eyes. I loved this novel and couldn't put it down. As a high school English teacher, I've recommended it to several students and word of mouth has spread--everyone can't wait to read Freaky Green Eyes.

Rating:
Summary: A Feel Good Little Mystery
Review: Overall, this book was pretty mediocre. Out of a possible 5 stars, I would award it a 2.5 to 3. Thoroughly predictable, the plot of the story had no twists or surprises; instead, it was drawn out through a straight line of memories. I believe this novel was meant to be dramatic, but the method with which the incidents are depicted dampens it into only a slightly moving story. On the other hand, the dialogues artfully create a realistic setting and it portrays events as they would have happened in real life. Characters themselves are fully developed and practical as well; young people of many ages can easily relate to Fracesca and feel sympathy for her dilemma. Although Freaky Green Eyes wasn�t challenging to read, I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it for readers who enjoy literature about teenagers and conflicts within a family.

Rating:
Summary: Freaky Green Eyes
Review: Overall, this book was pretty mediocre. Out of a possible 5 stars, I would award it a 2.5 to 3. Thoroughly predictable, the plot of the story had no twists or surprises; instead, it was drawn out through a straight line of memories. I believe this novel was meant to be dramatic, but the method with which the incidents are depicted dampens it into only a slightly moving story. On the other hand, the dialogues artfully create a realistic setting and it portrays events as they would have happened in real life. Characters themselves are fully developed and practical as well; young people of many ages can easily relate to Fracesca and feel sympathy for her dilemma. Although Freaky Green Eyes wasn't challenging to read, I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it for readers who enjoy literature about teenagers and conflicts within a family.

Rating:
Summary: A Feel Good Little Mystery
Review: This was a very nice little book with a good message. It reminds us of the importance of the truth. Ms. Oates does a very nice job in keeping the reader interested with her descriptive passages and colorful main character: Francesca Pierson. I enjoyed this book. It's not the best I've ever read, but I believe that I could read it a second time. It's a good young adult fiction, and I think it appeals more to girls since the story is told through a female's eyes. Her "freaky green" eyes.