17: A Novel in Prose Poems
The first day of Stephanie's junior year is a step into the underworld. Led into desire, depression, and alienation by the intoxicating yet strangely distant figure of Denny Pistill, Stephanie must cope with a series of fears and crises. Denny and Stephanie are drawn to each other through writing and reading poetry, and author Liz Rosenberg's own poetic sense gives truth to Stephanie's ability to make art out of the darkest things. Stephanie's passage through an emotional winter, which echoes the myth of Persephone, ultimately brings her into a budding sense of life and hope. Written in short chapters in the style of prose poetry, this is an exquisitely crafted, emotionally honest novel for young adults from a prize-winning author.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:081264915X
ISBN13:9780812649154
Release Date:September 2002
Publisher:Cricket Books
Length:160 Pages
Weight:0.55 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 4.5" x 7.5"
Age Range:14 to 17 years
Grade Range:Grades 9 to 12
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
this is the best best best book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I'm not that much of a poetry fan and I'm not even sure what prose poetry is, but whatever, this book is beautiful and made me cry and laugh and I absolutely could not put it down till I had finished... then believe it or not I started reading it over again from the beginning. This is one novel you'll keep under your pillow for those sleepless nights.
Liz Rosenberg is a treasure
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
17*** is rich, funny, sad and compelling. I can't help but read as a piece of mutt fiction-(isn't that what John Gardner called it?). The sexual bits ( hubba hubba) are elegantly and sensually drawn. I was surprised constantly by the story. Liz Rosenberg is a treasure!
best book I've read this fall!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
This is a hilarious book about a girl who is very sad. She also has a wonderful and totally mixed-up homelife. Sound confusing? Actually, it isn't, it's the best book I've read this fall. I felt like I was falling inside the pages. I love books like this. I loaned it to my friend and now I can't get it back!
Not your average book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I found this book to be completely satisfying. It's a wonderful read from beginning to end; actually hard to put down. An important theme contained here is late adolescent depression; with this in mind the protagonist, Stephanie's perceptions are entirely on target. The book stands out because the author does not try to artificially inject an emotional balance which would render the work as less valid. Taking into consideration the alarming statistical correlation between adolescence and depression I appreciate what Liz Rosenberg is doing here, and how she does it. She succeeds in detailing Stephanie's emotions, fears and concerns by using well crafted, high impact prose poetry. If you are already familiar with this authors writing you will not be disappointed. Simple as this: don't miss out on this book.
Did we read the same book?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I'm wondering if I read the same book Publishers Weekly reviewed. I found this book to be completely satisfying. It's a wonderful read from beginning to end. Publishers Weekly misses the point on this one; it's not supposed to be completely balanced in regard to the emotional turmoil. In my experience this is a remarkable on target expression of the confusion a real adolescent girl lives through. If you are familiar with the statistical correlation between adolescence and depressions you will have a more clear appreciation of what Liz Rosenberg is doing here and its importance. If you are already familiar with the quality of this authors writing you will not be disappointed. Simple as this: don't miss out on this book.
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