Title: The DUFF
Author: Kody Keplinger
Spec Spot
What's it about?
Bianca, known as B to her friends, is confident, witty and isn't likely to take crap from anyone, so when the man-slut of the school, Wesley, tries to use her to in order to get in her best friends' good graces and calls Bianca a DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend), Bianca is determined to not let it bother her. But, being the DUFF doesn't seem so bad when parents relationship appears to be failing and Bianca fears that her dad will relapse back into long-ago- beaten addictions.
But then, one night, Wesley appears at just the right moment and, in an attempt to erase all of the drama surrounding her, she kisses Wesley...and doesn't hate it, and the universe seems be determined to keep Wesley and Bianca in close proximity, which soon leads to a low-key, total secret relationship of enemies with benefits to provide Bianca with the perfect distraction from her life. But things can only go smoothly for so long before the chaos breaks through. The real question is, will Bianca be able to make it through without losing herself and the people she cares about most?
Favorites?
Favorite Character: Bianca. Hands down. I loved that she was strong, witty and smart. I loved that she, a girl, was not a sex crazed teenaged girl, but she did use sex to help number her pain, a technique that many use, even if we don't like to talk about it and especially if those roles are usually portrayed by male characters.
Least Favorite Character: Wesley's grandmother. She was harsh, cold, judgmental and never once did we see her try to resolve the issues that she was so happy to complain about.
Favorite Part: The end, which means that I can't tell you what I'm talking about because of spoilers but it made me smile.
Least Favorite Part: The scene where Bianca is at home with Wesley and her dad. Again, I can't say too much, but it was hard to read, painful even. Heart wrenching.
Other Thoughts?
I spent the majority of the book confused. I wasn't confused becuase the story was hard to follow, but because it was so different from how I remembered the movie. (I've since checked and, yes, the movie and book are very different. So different that one could argue they aren't the same story.) I felt like the book was less "teen aged rom-com" and more "teen age coming of age and combating really tough problems", problems I would say are darker and more mature then the movie's versions of events.
The story wasn't perfect. I'm sure some would argue a number of points including weather or not, in high school, girls like Casey and Jessica would really be friends with someone like Bianca like she was. But I appreciated the reality that, sometimes sex is a form of escape.
Over all, I felt like there was something more real and authentic then the movie. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the book was way better then the movie!
What do I rate it?
I give this book a
7
out of
10 cherry cokes
But that's just me. What did you think? Did you love the book? Hate it? Let us know in the comments.