The Lighter Side Of Life And Death (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
If it were possible, I would've given the book 3.5 stars. I did like it, but I wasn't totally amazed by the originality or writing style.I really liked the main character, Mason. I thought most of the characters were well done, and what they were going through was realistic. People who like books about realistic high school relationships would probably like this book. It deals with friendship, and when things get complicated by friends wanting more, and also other friends feeling left out/left behind. There is the additional element of dealing with new step families, and "forbidden" relationships, when Mason meets a girl who's out of high school. I liked that even though there was a period of avoiding each other, the reader actually gets to see the awkwardness because they have so many mutual friends, and see what happens when they decide that the friendships are worth trying to deal with the problems. After reading One Lonely Degree, I just had to get my hands on anything else that C.K. Kelly Martin had written. She has this way with words, her prose,that just makes you fall in love with her writing. She also has this uncanny way of knowing how to write perfectly from a teen POV and it amazes me everytime. I loved Mason`s character and voice in this novel. He was so sweet and caring that it was hard not to like him. He was also your typical teenager dealing with everyday dramas that were somewhat relatable so you knew how he was feeling. Mason sleeps with his best friend who would rather sooner forget it ever happened and then starts to fall for a twenty-three year old woman who just wants to use him for fun, knowing that his is sixteen years old. The Lighter Side of Life and Death is just a teenager`s POV of dealing with uncertainties, first loves and lust, losing your virginity and dealing with relationships.I defintely felt at times that this story didn`t really have a plot line, but in the end it seemed to work. I am still unsure of how I feel about the relationship between Mason and the older woman, Colette because at some points it just didn`t sit right with me...it just felt wrong. But other than that, I really enjoyed this book and couldn`t get enough of it.
What do You think about The Lighter Side Of Life And Death (2010)?
I got to the end and wondered why I'd bothered. The characters were so convoluted and frustrating.
—Maddie
