What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of What Happened to Lani Garver
Book Review: I loved it
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book so much. Even though I love to read so much, and have claimed to loving books and then finding another, I will always love this book so much. It made my eyes open to what people do in the world, to what I always thought it would never ever happen to someone like me. Then I read this, and I realised, I knew somone like Claire Mackenzie, the main character and narrator of "What Happened to Lani Garver". She wasn't me, but she was exactly like someone I wanted to be; she was someone every girl out there wants to be: populer, known,... not having to worry that someone is making fun of them behind their back because someone has it for them (Macy for Claire).
After reading this, though, I changed my mind. I was happy with what I had. Claire, in the end, got what she deserved: real friends (a band full of HIV/AIDS positive men), a fashion line that her own school followed at the end (black leather), and a person to help her there (Lani Garver). But what really tickles my mind and makes me think is what really happened to Lani in the end. Did he die? Was he really a floating angel? And, most of all, was Lani boy or a girl?!
Every question hangs in the air in the end, but somehow, the answers don't seem to matter. People can draw their own conclusions, making the book complete in its own self. Everything about this book---homophobia, eating disorders, mavricks, peer pressure, murder, black leather, making new friends, ditching old ones---blends in to make a something like a beautiful little figurine, with the most detailed painted features. It's its own masterpiece and it's utterly complete without its questions answers.
If people knew they were talking to angels, they would be nice, and when the angel wasn't there, they would just keep being mean. So that's why you should always be nice to everyone---you never know if the weakest, or the oddest, or anything, is the most angelic of us all.
Book Review: An extremely memorable and thought provoking tale...
Summary: 5 Stars
I am an avid young adult reader...from Fluffy Chick-Lit, to the more mature reads...anyhow I go through tons book and this novel is hands down the most stimulating Young Adult book I have read so far.
I read this book two summers ago, I can still remember crying at he climax of the story (which I NEVER do) and thinking...and thinking...and still thinking WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LANI GARVER?!?!?
This book was a captivating story that I could not put down. It leaves the reader with compelling thoughts questioning you as an individual, your beliefs and life. The book is also important because it deals with so many stereotypical teenage "issues" without being corny, just informative and thought provoking.
I highly suggest reading this book.
Book Review: An unbelievable story
Summary: 5 Stars
Before I begin, I want you to know that I have read too many books in my life to count. This one will most definately stick with me for a while. I just finished it and I want to get down my feelings for it before they rush out of my head.
This book makes you question who you are, the people you know, and what you believe (or, rather, if what you believe is really true or if you are just giving way to convenient thinking). It makes you think, cry, and laugh. It is ultimately a true page-turner and keeps you entertained, but it sends a strong message as well. It deals with sooo many issues. Homosexuals, teenage culture, betrayal by your friends and your family, alcholics, cancer, AIDS, eating disorders, music, angels, murder, and suicide are all in this, all woven intricately into the story. It leaves you wishing you could have met Lani Garver, or someone like him.
But don't just listen to me rant on and on about it. Read it. It'll change your life, I'm serious.
Book Review: Best book ever i have ever read! read right now!
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't give it all away because there is still a lot in the middle of the book to comprehend. This book is about a girl, claire, who is popular only because when one of the "in" girls dissed her, the popular girl knew that claire heard her and was hurt. Then the whole in crowd sees a boy-girl, throughout the book it is kind of figured out that he is a boy but more than that he risks his life to help claire. At the end lani garver is killed during a gone bad game of chicken (after the in crowd turns against claire because they don't like lani garver) and the next day when claire comes back she can't find his body or any traces of the night before. And the question throughout the book apears to her right then, was lani garver an angel? This was truley the best book ever! Don't hesitate to read the book.Book Review: One of those books that stay with you
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not usually the type of book I read, but once I started I couldn't put it down. I had it from the library, and I loved it so much I lent it to my friend. I talked about it so much with her that my other friend wanted to read it too. At this point I gave up hoping to have it back in time to read it a second time, so I went out and bought it. (I don't do that often, mind you). I really recommend this. Everybody I know who has read the book loves it. (But that's not a lot, I must admit it is one of those secret finds) Lani Garver is one of the best characters I have ever encountered, which is saying a lot. In fact, I can't think of any better character. The situations are surprisingly real, despite the slightly supernatural setting. I laughed out loud a lot while reading this book. However, it isn't a comedy. It has some serious issues in it. The characters are written wonderfully, even the lesser characters are well thought out, their motives and strugles are explored. Despite the obvious gay-bashing plotline, the author refrains from making the "bad" people purely evil. In fact, a large part of what makes it a good book is that the author lets you into a lot of different peoples' perspectives.
Apart from the struggles of Lani Garver, there is the struggles of Clare, from whose point of view the book is written. It is in some ways her coming-to-terms-with-life story. Lani is the person who guides her. She deals with recovery from cancer, and dark images that float around her head. At the same time she battles issues of popularity and friendship, faced with the choice of going with the crowd or opening herself up and seeing what jumps out at her. The ending, although deliberately up in the air, leaves one with a good idea as to what really happened, and with how things will be in the future. (Because trust me, Clare develops into a truly worthy main character.) I recommend not giving up on Clare before the first couple of chapters. In the beginning she may seem like a cliche, but she's not.
I truly recommend this book. It is sensitive in its handling of the main issues. I applaud the author for managing to write something meaningful without wacking readers over the head with a "moral of the story".