"If this is life, then it's twisted."
Recently, I've been reading Twisted, by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Seventeen year-old Tyler is totally enjoying his position as high school Alpha male after years of being 'the geek'. But then Bethany - rich, blonde, beautiful and the girl Tyler wants - is the victim in a teenage scandal, and somehow Tyler is nailed as the prime suspect. Tyler knows he had nothing to do with it, but when everyone - including his hard-nosed father - believes he did, Tyler starts to spiral into a nightmarish, paranoid state of mind. He is desperate to find a way out of the mess he's in... Will he have the courage not to take the easy option?
While the overall story tackles weighty issues as identity, family and suicide, Anderson masterfully interjects wry humour that always seems to find his mark. There's something very genuine in the portrayal of Tyler's struggle, both as he seeks attention and as he seeks to banish it. His volatile family situation - especially his relationship with his father - is familiar without bowing to a stereotypical, dysfunctional family. Despite times when Chip Milbury (Bethany's brother) comes across a little cartoonish in his machinations, the characterisations ring true.
TWISTED, with its tip of the hat to black comedy, does what all good cautionary tales should do: leaves the reader with the certainty that something would be missing in their life without it. I recommend this novel to teens aged 13 and over as although it has a great storyline, there may be some scenes where younger individuals will not understand. Overall, I give this novel a rating of 4/5 stars as it is very well written and described by the author. Don't miss out on this.
