Such a notation deserves some arguments:

1) I didn't understand the purpose of the story. What was it? What were they looking for? Why do it?

2) Rather Nazi and useless characters. The narrator has no personality, it just seems like a big victim.

3) What's the relationship with the title? I didn't see any correspondence with the plot (and there is no plot, lol).

4) The style is poor and worthless. In fact, my brother could have written it.

5) I didn't have any reflection during my reading.

6) It's not even entertaining since nothing happens.

7) Unreal (it never happens like that in real life).

Well, maybe there were things to understand, but... even Nietzsche is clearer.

This book is surprisingly engaging despite the narrative style.

The sentences and chapters are short, which gives the reader a sense of being inside the mind of a very very confused young boy. I guess that's the whole point.

There are a lot of exclamation marks, which sometimes pulled me out of the story. I don't think exclamation marks are usually necessary to make a strong point, but that's just my opinion.

The ending is sort of ambiguous, which I quite like. It leaves room for the reader to interpret and think about what might have happened next.

The story about how things can snowball and go completely out of control was realistic and very sad. It made me think about how easily our actions can have unintended consequences.

However, it was hard to connect with any of the teen characters because they were mostly one-note. They didn't have much depth or complexity. I felt terrible for the teacher though. He was trying his best to help the students, but he was in a difficult situation.

I did like the way Darren chose to honor him in the end. It was a touching gesture that showed that even in the midst of chaos and confusion, there can still be moments of kindness and respect.

Overall, this was an interesting read that had its strengths and weaknesses. I would recommend it to others who are looking for a quick and thought-provoking story.

Not my favorite Joyce Carol Oates by far. The narrative voice in this work was disappointingly too distant and flat. It failed to engage me on a deeper emotional level. Moreover, the details regarding competitive swimming and diving seemed rather off. For instance, it is a known fact that high school swimmers do not typically compete in the 100 IM. This small inaccuracy might seem minor, but it detracted from the overall authenticity of the story. Additionally, the mention of a 300 meter freestyle competition also seemed rather odd as it is not a common event in the world of competitive swimming. These elements combined made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative and appreciate the work as much as I might have otherwise.

What initially caught my attention and drew me to this young adult novel was the author.

Darren, a sixteen-year-old high school student, is not only a local jock but also a talented athlete. As a swimmer and a promising diver, he had advanced to the varsity team by the end of his sophomore year. People couldn't help but notice how good looking he was. Girls liked to comment that he was sexy, yet he was also shy. No one would dispute that he was a guy's guy, unmistakably a jock. And up until a snowy Thursday, he was living a happy life, enjoying popularity, full of self-esteem, and an overall good kid who worked extremely hard to be the best he could be. However, everything changed when he accepted a ride home with an effeminate teacher. Although Darren felt uncomfortable during the ride, nothing untoward actually happened. Or so it seemed.

What actually occurs is that the jocks who have a dislike for this teacher, mainly because he marks hard, decide to set out and discredit him. The consequences of their actions, unfortunately, go far beyond what anyone could have ever imagined.

http://bevd.edublogs.org/

Good looking. Fine. Cute. Hunky. Sexy. Hot. These are all words that we often use to describe someone's appearance or charm. Among them, the word "sexy" is perhaps the most powerful and evocative. It can be defined as being sexually suggestive, stimulating, or appealing. However, the meaning of the word "sexy" is rather equivocal, as it can be used to describe both how one feels and how one is perceived by others.

This is the main focal point of the Young Adult novel by Joyce Carol Oates. The novel begins with an intriguing first line that immediately sucks the reader in. It sets the tone for the rest of the story and makes us eager to find out more about the characters and their relationships.

As we read on, we discover that the concept of "sexy" is explored in depth. The characters in the novel grapple with their own desires and attractions, as well as the expectations and judgments of those around them. Through their experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be sexy and how it can affect our lives.

In conclusion, the word "sexy" may seem simple on the surface, but it actually holds a great deal of complexity and nuance. Joyce Carol Oates' novel does an excellent job of exploring this concept and showing us how it can shape our identities and relationships.

If you're interested in reading more about this fascinating topic, be sure to check out the full review at http://didibooksenglish.wordpress.com....

Wow, Darren.

I understand that you grew up in a highly masculine household within a rural town filled with homophobic and worthless redneck hicks. However, you are a cowardly and useless individual.

Despite my growing sense of dread as the false accusations accumulated, this book was an incredibly compelling page-turner. I breezed through its conveniently short and easily digestible chapters in approximately an hour. The writing style was简洁 and a bit vulgar, but it intrigued me in a way that my previous attempt to read a novel by this author did not. I truly liked the poor teacher, and after finishing the book, I found myself reflecting on the hysteria that surrounds even the slightest hint of improper high school student/teacher relationships.

P.S. The word "sexy" does not accurately describe anything in this book, which is sort of the point. Nevertheless, it also made it extremely difficult to read in public with this cover.

Okay, this was rather aimless.

There were some powerful messages regarding standing up for what one believes in, which was related to Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience". However, then we continuously heard about how "sexy" the main character is and how everyone is constantly drooling over him.

I suppose he could have simply accepted his popularity, yet instead, he chose to go against the current and defend his vilified English teacher. But then the ending somewhat disregarded this development.

Similar to the novel "Expensive People" that Oates wrote decades earlier, "Sexy" is a satire on social norms. People act in accordance with whatever custom is currently in vogue, and most people don't notice what is amiss.

It seems that the author is trying to make us think about how we blindly follow social norms without really questioning them. The character's decision to go against the grain could be seen as a call to action for the readers to do the same.

Overall, while the story had its moments, it also felt a bit disjointed and unfinished.

Interesting perspective indeed. The narrator in this story is a popular high school boy who finds himself uncomfortable with his emerging "sexiness." It's a unique and engaging premise that immediately draws the reader in. There's a scandal involving his gay English teacher, which adds an extra layer of complexity and drama to the narrative. JCO, the author, does a masterful job of slipping the reader under the protagonist's skin. At times, it can be a very uncomfortable place to be, as we are privy to the boy's inner thoughts and conflicts. We see his confusion, his self-doubt, and his struggle to come to terms with his changing identity. It's a powerful and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a lot to think about.

I think teenage-me would have really liked this.

When I was a teenager, I was full of curiosity and enthusiasm for the world. This thing, whatever it is, would have surely caught my attention and piqued my interest.

Teenage-me was always looking for new experiences and adventures. I would have been eager to explore and discover all the possibilities that this could offer.

Maybe it was a new hobby, a book, a movie, or a place. It doesn't matter what it was, as long as it was something different and exciting.

Teenage-me was also very impressionable. This thing would have left a lasting impression on me and might have even influenced my future choices and decisions.

I can still remember the things that I liked as a teenager, and they have all contributed to shaping who I am today. So, I think teenage-me would have really liked this, and it would have been a great addition to my teenage years.

I think it is a book of good intentions but it fails in some parts.

On one hand, the author clearly has the best of intentions when writing this book. They likely aimed to convey important messages, share valuable insights, or tell an engaging story.

However, upon closer examination, there are areas where the book falls short. Maybe the plot development is a bit lacking, leaving the reader feeling unfulfilled. Or perhaps the characters are not as well-developed as they could be, making it difficult to truly connect with them.

Despite these flaws, it's important to note that the book still has its merits. The good intentions behind it are evident, and there may be certain sections or ideas that are truly thought-provoking.

In conclusion, while this book may not be perfect, it does have its redeeming qualities. It serves as a reminder that even with the best of intentions, there is always room for improvement.

My first encounter with Joyce Carol Oates' work was through the book Sexy. It's a relatively minor piece that targets the YA audience yet holds themes that are significant for adult readers too, like the perils of groupthink and peer pressure.

Darren Flynn, a popular teen who excels in sports and is physically appealing, still feels a sense of unease within himself as he doesn't achieve the best grades. A random encounter with one of his teachers alters Darren's life irrevocably, and not in a positive way. This event forces Darren and the entire town where he lives to confront themselves and their moral compass.

The book is written in a minimalist style, which almost reminds me of Hemingway, but if Hemingway had written for teenagers. This means that every word is carefully chosen and not a single one is wasted. However, it also implies that I couldn't establish a deep connection with any of the characters. Darren, in particular, remained somewhat of a mystery to me. I knew about him on a surface level, but I never truly felt like I got to know him. The same goes for his friends and family, who all seemed rather underdeveloped.

Additionally, there is a plot hole that simply cannot be ignored. At one point in the story, photos cut out from magazines are mistaken for Polaroid photos. This is a crucial element to the events in the book, and revealing more would be spoiling the plot. I'm sorry, but this just didn't sit well with me. No one in their right mind, especially the person on whom this trick is played, would believe such an obvious falsehood.

Overall, I had an enjoyable experience reading this book, and I'm now eager to explore the adult releases by this author. Given that she has been publishing since 1963, I do feel a bit intimidated by the vast body of work she has produced.

The writing is truly superb. Well, it is Joyce Carol Oates, so one would naturally expect great writing.

I finished this book in one sitting. It tells the story of a high school guy and his family, friends, life, and English teacher. However, that last sentence fails to do justice to the story.

It's a really good read, filled with shocking moments, drama, and everything that makes a great book. The characters are vividly portrayed, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. You can't help but be drawn into the world that Oates has created.

Whether you're a fan of young adult literature or just looking for a good story, this book is definitely worth checking out. It will leave you thinking long after you've turned the last page.