Clean

There are books that make you say “wow”, but then there are books that make you stop, think, and then respond with “wow”. If you’re wondering which category Clean falls into; it’s the latter.

If there’s one thing I hate about reviewing books, it is reviewing books that I love. In fact, sometimes I fear the moment I will finish reading a book I’m enjoying because I know what comes next: the review. “Do I have to do it?” I’ll silently moan to myself, “Must I really flesh out my love for this book and then analyse it in a way that is so mentally depreciating?” Well, to be honest, I’ve never actually done that. I’ve made some sarcastic joke or prattled on about how I am too flabbergasted to tell said sarcastic show more joke, like now. The truth is, I can’t strip a book down to its binding and then try to piece it back together with judicious words that will never do it justice. So I won’t. Instead, I may just stop blabbering about myself and get to the point.

Clean, in all its shocking glory, is the kind of book that sneaks up on you, slaps you across the face, and says, “I’m here and I’m fabulous.” I honestly don’t know what compelled me to download this from Galley Grab. I’d never heard of it or Amy Reed before that day. Despite the contrasting imagery, the cover isn’t very eye-catching. The title is pretty simple, too. So I wondered why this book I knew absolutely nothing about interested me. It didn’t take long to find out though: I was sold on the first word.

Reed’s prose isn’t the kind that runs up to scream in your face, begging for attention. It fits in with the theme of the book: unexpectedly beautiful. It’s also delivered in such a tricky way, with multiple narrators. This is so easy to mess up. Sometimes the writer won’t properly make that transition from character-to-character, but Reed balances it perfectly. She captures each personality with utter elegance and insight. I’m so jealous.

While this is a superb read, I must warn you that this book contains some very strong themes. It is not just the subject of drugs and alcohol, but there is also a scene where rape is attempted and some very graphical sexual references. This is not your ‘light-hearted-weekend-read’.

Clean will both surprise and enthral you. You will sympathize and connect with each character and their situation, and will be hoping for their happy ending. It will change your thoughts on teenagers and their relationship with drugs. Upon finishing, you will have fallen so deeply in love that you’ll be running to your computer to pre-order Crazy. Yeah, just a bit of shameless promotion. show less

So it is 2am and I just finished Clean. 2am finishes are generally a good sign.

I really liked this book. Through alternating voices we get the story of five teenagers in a 90 day program they all have different and similar issues: addiction being the big one, just differing drugs of choice.

I like that of the different voices there was a diversity that truly exists in addiction, it is not limited to poor or rich or in between anyone can be an addict. This book also imparted a level of familiarity and authenticity that I appreciate. I am in recovery and sometimes reading fictional accounts of addiction they feel contrived, not an issue with this one. The characters could be any number of people from meetings for addiction that happen show more everyday.

My final reason for appreciating this book and giving it 4 stars is the readability. The reality of addiction and what it can make you do is sometimes horrible and dark and extremely challenging. Clean touches on those things, but without dwelling on them, and using language and feelings that reflect a very real experience for many. Books like this exist because they will often speak to a person where they are and when they most need to hear it. show less

What’s cool about CLEAN by Amy Reed is that, it’s this awesome mix of BREAKFAST CLUB meets ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. But instead of getting screwed by the system, the patients are getting help for a change.

The book follows five teens as they battle their inner demons on their road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction inside a rehab center. Yet, not all their demons exist on the inside, some are on the outside and live under the same roof. Every character’s story is gripping and sometimes heartbreaking. This book doesn’t hold any punches in its execution. This stuff is real and the book makes it feel real.

The plotting is fantastic and creative and the narrative voice of each character is distinct. Yet, the book show more does not suffer from POV overload. Two central characters are featured and their observations of the other teens keeps this story focused and gives the book its strength.

Great read. show less

How can I put into words how much I fell in love with this book? But that's the point isn't it? To say how much we liked, disliked, love, hated it? Well I loved it, if you couldn't already tell.

I'll admit, I was a bit hesitant about whether I was going to pick this book up or not. I'd glad I picked it up, though. Because like all those drug recovery stories out there, this served as a real eye opener. That was the big thing--having other kids get a glimpse at what life as a teen addict is. Beneath that layer of toughness and I-couldn't-care-less look, there is a BIG layer of hurt underneath. Shocker right? I know that most people probably already know that, but really it's true. I'm not kidding. And you can't imagine how many times I show more was on the edge of bawling my eyes out.

As for the writing, starting off I was a little confused and unused to Amy Reed's way of writing. But I think, less than halfway through the book, I was in awe by it. As in, open-mouthed, teary-eyed, awe. Christopher and Eva are the characters whose Point Of View I loved to read from. Christopher because of his personality and just who he is, and Eva because the way Amy Reed writes in her POV is just beautiful poetry. And what I enjoyed the most was just how Amy Reed decided to write her book--the Group conversations, individual and alternating personal essays, the drug questionaries, etc--contributed to the success of the book.

The characters, probably had to be my favorite part. I can't specifically pick my absolute favorite, but I can say that I found in each, something I favor the most. Olivia, Jason, Kelly, Christopher, and Eva, seemed oh-so real. And I couldn't stop myself from wanting to know more about them, and just strip off all the layers of mysterious and secrets. I have to commend and applaud Amy Reed for her characters. They're extraordinary, and I know that there are teens who can relate to them too.

So I loved Clean. It's the cold, raw, truth, and how it gives hope to the readers--whether they're in the same situation or not. This book can actually open the eyes of other teens and spread awareness. Don't you think that we're lucky to be able to read things like this? To know what to do and what not?

Clean will probably remain a favorite of mine until another book can manage to top it off. show less

Clean is a hard hitting contemporary novel that deals with the struggles of a group of teens in recovery. It's not a happy book by any means, but it is a hopeful one.

At the start of the novel you are introduced to all 5 main characters very quickly. Its a bit confusing at first trying to figure out who is who, but that doesn't last long due to each characters distant voice. There's Kelly (the popular, party girl), Olivia (the new, rich girl), Christopher (the quite, weird boy), Eva (the rude, punk girl) and Jason (the loud, pretty boy). Most of the novel is told from Christopher and Kelly's POV, which is both a blessing and a curse since you get to know these two characters very well but also get a limited view of Eva, Jason and show more Olivia.

I really enjoyed Eva's character the most because I really felt all her sadness and vulnerability hiding beneath all that anger. However, I think everyone will be able to identify with at least one of the characters since they're all so vastly different. Even if you can't relate to the substance or recovery issue, all of these teens have gone through a personal crises that have lead them down the road to addiction.

Clean is a very quick read due to the stories short time frame and essay like structure. Plus with the intense subject matter its nearly impossible to put down. I found the various different storytelling devices (narrative, dialogue, essay, questionnaire & group sessions) to be a really unique way to get to know all the characters. It also helped to create a more secluded and intensely emotional atmosphere within the rehab center forcing the 5 teens into relying and confiding in each other, something which they all are hesitate to do.

I really appreciated author Amy Reed's ability to create a gritty emotional journey into the lives of these teen addicts. There is nothing glamorous about what these characters have gone or are going through. I also appreciated the honest, unapologetic and often brutal language and interaction between the teens. Was it hard to read sometimes? Yes. Was it always necessary? I think so, because I needed to feel that all 5 of these teens had hit rock bottom, which I did. That if they didn't get their lives together they were all going to end up dead or in jail.

Towards the end of the novel we get a glimpse into how far these characters have come, but also how far they still have to go. I love the hopefulness of it because in my opinion, that's what this novel is about. That no matter what you've done to yourself or to others, things can always get better and their is always hope.

Clean is not a book everyone is going to enjoy as there's sex, drugs, drinking, and foul language throughout, but with that being said, I think that its an important novel that deals with a very delicate subject matter in a mature, realistic and hopeful way. I would definitely recommend Clean to older teens or adults who enjoy contemporary novels dealing with social and family issues. show less

Meet Kelly, Olivia, Christopher, Jason and Eva. All of them are teens with promising futures. All of them are addicts.

These five kids all come from different backgrounds and they all have different addictions. They’re being forced to reevaluate themselves in a suburban rehab center for teens. Some of them want to change, while some of them still won’t admit they have a problem. They’re all going to have to work together as a group to find themselves again, and put themselves on the road to recovery.

Amy Reed has written an amazing, gut-punch of a novel filled with raw emotion. I haven’t met characters so real since I read Ordinary Beauty. The author doesn’t hold back. The language is raw, the emotions are heavy and the show more situations these kids have put themselves in are not pretty. At the same time, there is a light at the end of this deep, dark tunnel. These five kids, so unalike in the beginning learn to love and respect one another as they face the cold, hard realities of what they’ve done to their lives and how it has affected others.

I opened the ARC of this one just to read the first page or two to get a feel for it, and I didn’t stop reading. I didn’t put my nook down until I had finished the book. I was completely lost in the story. The writing style is very unique. It’s told through a series of essays, group sessions and first-person narratives. I was completely engaged. I laughed at some parts and cried in others. I felt every emotion possible. The most heart-wrenching scenes in the book had to be when the parents came to rehab for group sessions with their kids. I was cheering for every single one of these kids by the end of the book. I can not recommend this one enough. Though the story does deal with some heavy subjects and the author doesn’t hold back in her descriptions, I think this book should be read by teens and parents, especially those who use, have ever considered using or have friends who use drugs.

(Review based on an advanced readers copy courtesy of the publisher via Simon & Schuster GalleyGrab) show less

Mrs. Beamer's Review:
I was skeptical of this book...knowing my distaste for drug-addicted characters. But, it circulates well with my students, and I like to know what they're reading. Surprise...I liked this book! I was drawn to the characters...each so unique in their struggles. The author tells the story through five POVs. Five teenage drug addicts. One might think this would weigh down the book...make it too intense for someone like me who doesn't enjoy reading about addicts. But I found the opposite to be true. I found (comfort?) hmm...not sure what word I would use...in learning how these five teens came to be addicts. They have such different backgrounds, such different stories...yet their disease places them on equal ground. I show more tried to pick a favorite storyline, and found I couldn't. So I applaud the author for creating five strong characters.

Yes, the book probably appealed to me because it didn't contain graphic, horrific, prolific drug use. It was about the path to sobriety. And in that context, it's a story of hope. We hope they continue managing their disease. We hope they remain thankful for the opportunity to get clean. Through one of the group consolers, we are reminded most teen addicts are not given the chance these five were given. These five teens have family (with money) to place them in a rehab facility.

This book is a reminder that teen addicts come from all backgrounds. It is a reminder to adults to be cognizant of the signs of addiction...to remember teen addicts can be found in any setting. It is a reminder to teens that all actions have consequences. They have the power to destroy someone...and they have equal power to save someone. I commend the author on a job well done.

My Favorite Quote (from this book): "If this is recovery, I don't want it. If this is sobriety, I'd like my drugs back, thank you very much."

Mrs. Beamer’s advisory rating: 0-5 (0=none, 5=lots) click here for more info
Language: 3
Violence: 2
Sexual Content: 2.5
Drugs/Alcohol: 4
Potential Controversial Topics: child abuse, homosexuality, drug use show less