When I started Laurie Halse Anderson’s YA novel Twisted, I was sure that it was going to be a five star read. A few years back, predating this blog, I read this author’s award-winning book, Speak, which tells the story of a young girl who is sexually assaulted at an end-of-the-summer party and chooses to spend her sophomore year mute.
Twisted is the story of high school senior Tyler Miller. At the end of grade eleven, he gets in a bit of a pickle by doing graffiti on the school. He has spent most of his high school years as a bit geek, a video game nerd who is either ignored or bullied. But during the summer between junior and senior year, in an effort to make some money to pay for the damage and as part of his court mandated restitution, Tyler gets a job (and a new physique) doing maintenance work at the school (restitution) and landscaping for Mr. Pirelli ($). He starts his senior year a different person, on the outside at least.
…the labor had turned me from Nerd Boy into Tyler the Amazing Hulk, with ripped muscles and enough testosterone to power a nuclear generator.
Tyler has a massive crush on Bethany Milbury, the “Alpha Female of George Washington High–the most beautiful, the most popular, the Queen Bee. She was also the daughter of my dad’s boss, and the sister of the guy who had been making my life hell for years.” Still, it seems Tyler’s changed appearance is not unappealing to Bethany and suddenly it seems like Tyler’s wet dream might become reality.
Twisted is more than just the story about the guy getting the girl (plus he doesn’t actually get her in the end.) This is a story about complicated family relationships, being true to yourself, mental health, friendship, siblings. I was so sure I was going to LOVE it because Tyler’s voice was so funny in the beginning and I was really rooting for him to get his shit together.
Somehow, though, the story loses its early momentum and some of its themes feel under developed. So, while the pay off wasn’t exactly there for me, I still think Twisted is a worthwhile read and many teenagers, particularly young men, will likely find it relatable.
