The You I've Never Known
Book - 2017
With both joy and fear, seventeen-year-old Ariel begins to explore her sexuality, while living with her controlling, abusive father who has told Ariel that her mother deserted her years ago.
Publisher:
New York :, Margaret K. McElderry Books,, [2017]
Edition:
First edition
ISBN:
9781481442909
Characteristics:
590 pages ; 22 cm
Alternative Title:
You I have never known



Opinion
From Library Staff
With both joy and fear, seventeen-year-old Ariel begins to explore her sexuality, while living with her controlling, abusive father who has told Ariel that her mother deserted her years ago.
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violet_giraffe_901
Nov 02, 2018
violet_giraffe_901 thinks this title is suitable for between the ages of 14 and 18

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Recommendations: 3.5/3.5 stars; writing: 1/1.5 stars
I would definitely recommend this book, but I feel like the author bite more than she can chew; therefore resulting in a too long story before climax. I was looking to read a book about a girl discovering herself after learning her mom didn't abandon her; but it's only stated mentioning in the last 1/3 of the book. So I feel a little bit cheated. The book also touches a little bit too much ideas: 9/11, good vs.evil, lesbian love, bisexual, identity, (attempted)rape, domestic violence, military unwilling to report domestic violence, authorities figures, murder, attempted murder, friendship, sex, the rich girl who is actually nice, sociopath, sports, child abuse, and liberal vs. conservative. The last one i find quit interesting. I don't like how it fell that the author is blaming the father activity on PSTD; or that bisexual doesn't exist
I rarely read books in verses, but I love what Hopkins did here. The diary entry made me both love and hate this book. On one hand they are disrupting the flow of the story, and on the other hand it's making me wonder the connection between Ariel and Maya. But after reading perhaps the third entry, I was able to establish the connection. As one person that is common is mark/Jason. Maya divorced husband who kidnaped her daughter, and Ariel father.
I literally burned through the latest from Ellen Hopkins in three nights. Written mostly in her trademark and sometimes annoying verse, The You I've Never Known is partially based on Hopkins' personal journey to reclaim her youngest daughter, kidnapped by her ex husband as a toddler.