Twisted's opening
pages begin with Tyler finishing up community service he got from pulling a prank on
his high school. The story quickly establishes his estranged, uncomfortable
relationship with his family and other people around him. We are also
introduced to Bethany, the rich, popular girl that Tyler seems to have fancied
for a long but unknown amount of time.
At a party for his father's office (where we learn that
Bethany's father is Tyler's father's boss), Bethany's twin brother, Chip,
pushes Tyler and sends Bethany falling into glass shards that rip up her foot.
Later, when forced by his mother to apologize, he and Bethany begin the start
of a not-relationship.
Tyler grows closer to Bethany as the school year begins, but
she is unfaithful to him and, all around, a rather unpleasant person to be
around. She invites him to a party where she attempts to seduce him. When he
declines, this sets off the downfall of the not-relationship. Afterward, Tyler
is accused of taking nude pictures of Bethany and posting them on the Internet.
Because of these accusations, assumptions are formed, leaving Tyler hated and
shunned by most of the student body and forced to take his classes in private.
Throughout the novel, Tyler struggles with suicidal thoughts
and bouts of extreme anger. He contemplates the pros and cons of running away
versus self-harm. He is inexplicably attached to Bethany, even though she takes
him for granted and treats him horribly. This is the case with a lot of high
school relationships- one giving while the other is taking, but Bethany is a
particularly deplorable person and I find it hard to justify Tyler's ongoing feelings
for her.
The book is predictable in many ways, but, in just as many
ways, it is not. For one, I was under the assumption in the beginning that the
book would be mostly about Tyler's inner healing and then the external healing
of his relationship with his family. Rather, the main conflict is centered on the
nude pictures and Tyler's alleged role in taking them. Then again, one thing
that really surprised me was to find out how crucial his relationship with his
father is. While reading the book, I just saw it as one of Tyler's many issues that skirted along on the
sidelines, but, in the end, the most pivotal moment comes from a confrontation
with his father.
Perhaps I just view the overall book as predictable because
I have preconceived notions how Laurie Halse Anderson's stories usually end,
but aside from that, I actually don't find suspense a necessary element in a
story like this one. I got to enjoy reading it for what it is- just a
recounting of a troubled youth, looking to find a place where he is accepted. I
enjoyed his voice, the way he tells stories.
It's hard to believe how quickly everyone you know can turn
on you. I don't mean that it's hard to believe in the sense that the book
portrays it unbelievably. People will do that; there's nothing fictional about
it. However, it was quite incredible to feel some of Tyler's rather powerful
emotions right alongside him. He certainly seemed like a real teenage guy for
all of the following reasons: strained relationship with parents, being bullied
and rejected, lusting after an unattainable popular girl, desiring rebellion,
nurturing anger and isolation, etc.
Oh, and there's the endearing quality of his video game
addiction. I don't see gaming as often as expected in YA books and, when I do,
it's often trite or unnecessary. In this case, his video game use is not only
relevant, it is significant. I always hate giving away too much of the end, but
many of the metaphorical or subtle occurrences in this book are mirrored
directly through Tyler's progress through a very difficult video game. It's not
just intended for the reader to see it this way; Tyler himself views his
avatar's status as a reflection of his own life.
As a longtime Laurie Halse Anderson fan, Twisted felt just a bit subpar compared
to Speak or Wintergirls. But Twisted
is important because it is brutally honest about issues that many people tend
to avoid. Tyler does not lie about his suicidal urges, does not try to shun his
impulses to physically wound those who have damaged him emotionally, and does
not attempt to disguise his sexual desires when he is around Bethany. Most
significantly, the book allows us a glimpse into the mind of a troubled teen that
has, for the most part, been abused mentally and emotionally his entire life.
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