Black-Eyed Suzie

Fascinating and sad

I like how the book begins with Suzie, a 12 year old girl, admiring her mother and talking about how she's good at a lot of things then gradually it's apparent to the reader that the mother is extremely bad at one thing: being a mother. This book is partly about child abuse (mostly emotional), mental illness, and learning to deal.
I am not exactly sure what mental illness it is that Suzie has since it is not stated and I'm no expert. I believe she has post-traumatic stress disorder which is what some children who have been abused may end up with. Either way Suzie is depressed to the point that she cannot talk or move quickly and always has to sit in a certain way. While she's at the mental institution, her mother and a few others tell her that she's not trying to talk and not trying to get better, but like Suzie says, there is no trying, it's not something she can simply do, she just has no words and that's what may help her get out of that place.
As a reader, one will feel awful for poor Suzie and come to hate her parents and sometimes even Deanna, Suzie's sister. The fact that Suzie can't help but love her mother is awful, but I can understand that. It must be hard not to love someone who's cared for you . Her mother did have her good moments after all. What is worse is that Suzie blames herself for her mother's behavior which is what occurs most of the time with a child who has been abused. I wish someone had been there for Suzie in the beginning so that they could tell her there is no excuse for someone to hurt another and it is of course not Suzie's fault that her mother is abusive towards her. As readers find out these thoughts from Suzie, they will want to hug the poor girl.
In the beginning of the story, the author has a few unanswered questions about why Suzie is the way she is. It's clear her mother is abusive, but it is unclear just to what extent and it's not apparent if anything else happened to Suzie. Slowly while Suzie is recovering at St. Dorothy's, there are flashbacks with clues that give insight to what happened to Suzie. These flashbacks include more information on how horrible Suzie's mother can be towards her and the awful things she's said to her daughter. The reader is also given small pieces of information that all add up by the end of the book.
What I did not like about this book was the reason given for the mother's behavior. Supposedly she is an alcoholic, but the reader does not really "see" this so it's almost hard to believe (if that makes sense). The end itself also somewhat disappointed me because it seemed to have gotten wrapped up in a clean way which was strange considering the situation. Suzie does say she has doubts which make it more realistic, but either way, I was not a fan of the ending.
I recommend this read for those that are interested in seeing through the eyes of a girl who has been abused and an alcoholic "mother." The author really manages to convince you that these thoughts are those that a girl like Suzie would have and boy does it put you in her shoes. It's also a neat book about friendship (aww Joshua how I will miss you!) and learning how at times it may be important to speak whether you want to or not.
-T.V and Book Addict

AMAZING!

this is one of my favorite books! i read it in one day. its such a pg turner. id recommend it to ne1 and every1. awesome.

This isn't a part of growing up...

A young girl is driven to solarity. No longer does she eat, walk, talk or even sleep. She lives in a place where love is a stranger. Her only comfort is her pink cloud. Here no one is able to harm her. Here is where she arrives her only happiness. Her mother believes her problem is just a stage that young girls venture into. She believes that Suzie only does it for attention. Suzie's uncle Eliot, whom is rarely around, senses that his niece needs some help. Suzie is put into a mental instution sometime after. The story continues with Suzie breaking down and finally understanding what her problem is. The reason she pushed herself into such a critical position was of the love of her older sister ,Deanna, and the destructive cruelty of her mother. The situation between the two and the fact that she couldn't handle it on her own caused Suzie to withdrawal herself from the rest of the world. This book helped me to deal with problems similar to this. I now feel an understanding of life and all the things it has thrown at me. By reading this book I was able to conquer my problems and break them down before they did the same to me. I believe that Susan Shaw not only helped me, but also thousands alike all over the world.

You'll never read a book that will make you think about life more.

This story was just wonderful. It was kind of sad though. I kept wondering when it would get better, and then it did. I am twelve, just like Suzie, so it put me right in her shoes. I was feeling everything she was, and the author writes in such a way that you know a 12 year old girl would in her state. You can't put this book down, but that is OK since it is a pretty short book.

IT WAS OK

The book had a good plot and a good reason for the book. I do have one bad comment the horrible thing that happened to her could have been alot more horrible. I wouldn't all of a sudden start to not talk because that little thing happened. I wish I could give it two-and-a-half stars. but ill give it the stars it doesn't deserve.

Great Book, a must-read

This book was amazing. If you liked Speak, you'll adore this book. It's hard to put down.

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