A letter to the Disenchantments: Okay, Bev, I'm no longer mad at you. I think you made some shitty choices and hurt people for dumb reasons, but now I understand you better and I think you understand yourself better, too, so that's good. You're wonderfully human and flawed and I now understand why so many people love you. Meg and Alexa, I love you two girls and just hope you get everything you ever wanted because you're beautiful and sweet and lovely and flawed and wonderful. And Colby...I'm proud of you. Go do wonderful things, you lovely, actually nice guy. Seriously even though you've loved Bev all this time and hoped that she might return your feelings, you didn't try to force her to love you or coerce her or accuse her of "friendzoning" you or do anything really to make her feel bad about possibly not returning your feelings. You just hoped and waited and remained her friend even if she didn't love you like you wanted. That's wonderful and I love you for it. When you did get mad at her, it revolved around her lying to you for so long and hiding things from you and making you feel as if you'd never really known your best friend all this time. And though you were angry, you were willing to give her a chance to explain and hopefully start to rebuild your relationship. That is some truly beautiful maturity and love there, my friend. Go make some beautiful art somewhere cool, Art School. :)Love, Jenny Lynn The cover seemed cool, like a road trip was imminent and fun stuff was going to happen. While some of that energy was there I still felt this book lacking in a few things for me.I had a hard time liking the characters in this book. I felt Bev was presented as overly moody about everything and the revelation that happened fairly early on seemed to bring the mood of the whole road trip down. I felt that could have happened later and would have really helped the story move along hinting at her revelation. As it turns out I enjoyed Colby who was trying to sort out his parents and his life and what was next and I found myself wanting to follow him on his journey beyond this book but none of the others. The storyline seemed to move too quickly in the way the chapters were laid out for me to believe they were doing what they were in such a short time. I wonder how this would have been different had they been going cross country as opposed to so near to home which might have added more tension. I sort of liked this book but REALLY wanted to like it based on best of lists it showed up on. I left wanting more from the characters who seemed a bit one dimensional to me. I skipped through some parts and feel I probably won't remember this book down the road. I may read a sequel as long as Colby and his journey are center stage without Bev and the gang.
What do You think about The Disenchantments (2012)?
This book featured my alma mater RISD and the Kennedy School, so I have nothing but high praise.
—seansmith1
loved this book, great coming of age story with characters you can't help but fall in love with.
—derekb
Wow, that was gorgeous. Nina LaCour has become one of my favorite authors.
—rose
I love all those people they meet on their trip!
—Vasily
