"Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone" is stylistically the best YA novel that I have ever read. The prose is rich and elegant, like the summer roses that serve as a motif, and the narrative has real gravitas. The author does not shy away from the gritter subjects of violence, cruelty, and the dangers of mob mentality. Also, this novel takes a refreshingly realistic view of romance between high school sweethearts. Kat Rosenfield doesn't gloss over sex, arguments, or compatibility issues. This book was honest - disconcertingly so - which is part of its appeal.The protagonist, Becca, is a successful student with a bright future planned out in minute detail, starting with a college education. In the summer of her graduation, she struggles between being lulled into the familiar routines of small town life and the magnetic pull of the unknown, the future. The brutality of Amelia Anne's death, and the shock of her corpse appearing bloody and broken at the side of the road, send Becca into a tailspin. Though Amelia Anne is dead and gone, she is certainly not forgotten - her murder sends ripples across a hermetic community, allowing for a piercingly accurate analysis of small town life.Contrasted with Becca's approaching future is Amelia Anne's inevitable demise. Their stories have some interesting parallels - they are both newly graduated, and big dreams that are impeded by their romantic relationships - which perhaps explains the cosmic connection Becca feels towards an otherwise anonymous murder victim. This crime was intriguing. It was a pleasure to watch the plot unravel. Unfortunately, the identity of the perpetrator was somewhat predictable. Had this cliché been avoided, this novel could have been truly great. The prose shimmered, but ultimately the plot did not deliver. Bit of dilemma as to how to rate this.Because if you take star ratings as only being the enjoyment level of a book (as I do), then this was really only a two star book. That is, an "okay" book. It was sort of straddling that boundary between "okay" and "liked it", and I think the last couple of chapters almost tipped it over to "liked it", but then I thought about it more and "okay" won out.More objectively (because of course, ratings are never really objective), I'm going to give this one 6/10, because it's actually very well written. There's quite a slow pace, but I think that's an advantage in this novel, because it aids in building the tension up to the final reveal. The reveal, I feel, was not predictable, but nor was it surprising (which probably doesn't make much sense....) It's more so, I guess, that when you think of the natures of the characters, the reveal makes sense so when it happens it's like, "oh okay". Rather than "akjsdhflahsdf?! WHAT?!"RatingsOverall: 6/10Plot: 3/5Romance: 3/5Writing: 4/5Characters: 2/5Cover: 2/5
What do You think about Konec A Smrt Amelie Anne (2013)?
Well, the story line was really great but the way it was written gosh it was all over the place.
—Cindy
My David Lynch spirit and appreciation for small town life loved this story.
—Mcgwen
