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Date: November 29, 2014
Spoilers Ahead
Headline
Amy and Roger's Epic Detour
Morgan Matson
Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it's Amy's responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn't ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip - and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar - especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory - but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.
City Calendar:
This is what happened during the week.
Roger comes to Amy's house. Amy packs and leaves her house. They decide to take a detour. They go to Yosemite instead. They spend the night, sharing a bed. Amy sees someone she knows, and Roger shares that Amy's father is dead. Amy cries for a bit before the two go to Nevada. They go down Highway 50 the Loneliest Road in America. They end up in Utah where they stay in the honeymoon suite at a motel as the Udells. They go to Colorado and visit Roger's school. Amy gets dressed up by Bronwyn and attends a party. She leaves as soon as she came. They head for Kentucky where Rogers's ex-girlfriend Hadley supposedly is staying. Bronwyn, before Amy and Roger leave, replaces Amy's wardrobe almost entirely with her own clothes. They get to Kansas and meet Drew Roger's friend on a golf course. Amy admits that her father is dead at last to a stranger she won't see again. Roger asks Amy about her father's death, but she doesn't offer anything. They get to Missouri, and Amy finally calls her mother. Her mother gets angry that Amy isn't on the planned route, but Amy rebels and determines that she will do what she wants. They quickly pass through Illinois and Indiana. They reach Kentucky at last. They go to Hadley's house and discover she isn't there. They eat dinner with Lucien Hadley's brother. Roger and Amy stay the night. In the middle of the night, Amy and Lucien drive around. Amy finally drives ever since the accident. Hadley comes back. Roger says goodbye. The two leave with Amy getting a kiss from Lucien. The two go to Graceland a trip that Amy was supposed to go on with her father. She wanders through Elvis's house and starts to accept her father's death. She goes to see her brother Charlie in rehab. She talks to him about what happened. They promise to keep in touch. After that, Amy and Roger go to Virginia to deliver a note. Amy kisses Roger. They go to Maryland where they stay in a hotel as the Udells and have sex. Amy and Roger go to Philadelphia where they part. Amy drives herself to Connecticut to meet with her mother.
And that's what happened this week.
Personal Ads:
Amy.
Actress. Likes musicals' soundtracks. Trying to escape her father's death. In the beginning, blames herself for his death. Pretty girl. Tries to stay strong. Starts to accept his death as something she didn't cause. Has a twin named Charlie.
Roger.
College freshman. Kind. Nice. Funny. Likes odd-named bands. Looking to reconcile with his girlfriend Hadley. Likes history and explorers. Tall. Very tall. Toned but not too toned.
Opinions:
This book was just okay for me. It wasn't amazing nor was it terrible. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the story. But I did like certain things.
For example, I liked the change within Amy. I won't agree to how that happened, but the change itself is good. She discovered that even though she was driving, she is not to blame. She didn't cause the death. She wasn't speeding. Realizing that you aren't always to blame, even if you're in charge, is an important lesson to learn. It might be your fault. Sometimes. Sometimes no one is to blame. Amy blamed herself so much. She had stressed over it, turning over the 'what if's in her mind. But that isn't healthy. Talking it out is better. I think that blaming yourself isn't a good thing to do. No matter what the situation.
I like that they are traveling. I'm a traveler myself. I enjoy when people travel to new places. You get the description of a new place. The sights. The sounds. The smells. Sure, globalization means that most places look like home unless you're isolated. Places do have little differences, though. A certain mom-and-pop shop. A certain indigenous plant. It depends on the place. But places do differ. And traveling is the best way to see the differences. I liked that Amy took note of the states she visited. It was nice to see some way to identifying a new place.
But this book did have down points.
I disliked the romance. They seem to just be physically attracted to each other. Sure, Roger comforts Amy. But that isn't much to start a relationship on. I think that the two don't have chemistry. I think that Roger is reeling from the truth about Hadley. To defy her, in a way, he hooked up with Amy. I do think Amy sees something in Roger. Though it seems more physical. In my opinion, of course. And don't get me started on the sex. Why do most young adult books have sex? It is just...wrong. Teens have sex. That's true. But young adult books make it seem like all teens have sex. Everyone.
I also disliked that nothing really happened in this book. There wasn't much action or drama. It seemed like 'Amy's Road to Self-Discovery' more than anything. I mean...the change she went through is good, but not much else happened. We have Roger's end of the story. Which wasn't really told if you ask me. It was all about Amy and her realization. That's a bit dull. Why couldn't there be a meltdown? Or the car breaks down? I don't know. They encountered almost no problems. Nothing to affect their journey. Which seems dull to me.
Weather:
Sunny with 50% chance of rain
3/5
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