Bianca
Written on Jan 7, 2016
Real winning was having the most to lose, even if it meant you might lose it all. Even though it meant you would lose it all, sooner or later.
'This generation's The Stand. . . at once troubling, uplifting, scary and heart-wrenching' Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle
Before Ardor, we let ourselves be defined by labels - the athlete, the outcast, the slacker, the overachiever. But then we all looked up and everything changed. They said the asteroid would be here in two months. That gave us two months to leave our labels behind. Two months to become something bigger than what we'd been, something that would last even after the end. Two months to really live.
- ISBN10 1481418777
- ISBN13 9781481418775
- Publish Date 24 March 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Publisher Simon & Schuster
- Imprint Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 384
- Language English
Reviews
lisacee
Written on Sep 7, 2015
cornerfolds
Written on Aug 29, 2015
We All Looked Up immediately caught my eye, not only with it's really unique cover, but also with its pre-apocalyptic setting, which I don't think I've ever actually seen. Sure, I've read tons of post-apocalyptic books, but one set in the days before the actual apocalypse when everyone knows what's coming? Wow! This book had so much potential and I really expected to be completely blown away.
The story is told from the perspectives of four different characters who all go to the same high school and represent several stereotypes. Each character is definitely unique and I can appreciate the attempt at diversity here. Unfortunately the stereotypes weren't dispelled. In fact, kind of the opposite happens. The "slut" has sex with random men to make them feel better (really) and Peter, the "good guy" is ridiculously good to the point of not being believable. Still, the characters were decent and I felt like I got to know a good deal about all of them.
My main problem with We All Looked Up is the events themselves. I'm pretty sure the whole purpose of this book (in addition to its failed attempt at dispelling stereotypes) is basically "you only live once," or some variation of that. When these characters find out that they have a 66.6% of being hit by an asteroid, they all make comments about wanting to live to the fullest in their last few weeks on earth. Despite that, they all make some really weird decisions.
Anita decides to run away from home and live with her slacker friend, Andy, for whatever reason. Eliza decides to start a blog. Peter... breaks up with his girlfriend and hangs out with his sister? I just don't know. The gangsters do gang things, the hippies do hippie things. Lots of kids get thrown in jail for no good reason... It was just a big, weird mess.
Obviously, I can't be sure what I'd do if I found out I was probably going to die in a few weeks, but I really think I'd do something a lot more fun. I think there would be a lot of impromptu mega-vacations and I really don't think the majority of the world would be sitting on their thumbs waiting for it to happen. I also don't believe that basically everyone would be thrown in jail for no reason.
One thing I can confidently say is that Tommy Wallach is a beautiful writer, and I think this is probably where his background in songwriting pays off. His prose is lyrical and I really enjoyed listening to it being read by the narrator. I did feel like there was probably a little bit more profanity than was needed, though. I also really loved the mood of this book. I could feel the dread of the impending (possible) doom from the moment they first noticed the "star" in the distance. I liked that some of humanity sort of came together before the end of the world.
My last problem with this is the ending. At about 50% through this book I suddenly realized that I knew how this book would probably end and I hoped against all odds that I was wrong, but I wasn't. I understand why the author might have ended it this way, but I didn't care for it. I just wanted more.
Overall, this book did have a few things that I liked, but ultimately the bad outweighed the good. Stereotypical characters and unrealistic actions left a little too much to be desired. The concept itself had a lot of potential and I was really hoping for more. I heard that the rights for a film had been purchased and I'd definitely give this one another chance on the big screen!
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Sarah Says
Written on Mar 29, 2015
I finished We All Looked Up on Sunday morning and I’ve been trying to figure how to write a review to do it justice ever since. Wallach’s writing is beautiful, easy to read, emotional and powerful.
We get backgrounds on the four view point characters and then follow them as they learn that there is an asteroid tearing toward earth with a 66.6% chance of impact, with the possible collision being so catastrophic it will wipe out the world. The four viewpoints are: the all-around golden boy and Jock Peter, the promiscuous and artsy Eliza, the good girl and overachiever Anita and the stoner and slacker Andy. Wallach uses teenage stereotypes and makes them feel real. He gives a world of complicated characters to care for and despise all at once. There is a little bit of all of us in this story somewhere.
We follow them as they try to survive until the end, as they try to deal with and make sense of their lives, as the world goes crazy and they try to come to terms with death. There are inner demons faced and new friendships made. The story keeps moving on, revolving through the different viewpoints. The different points of view flow beautifully and I enjoyed getting in all their heads.
The ending was open and leaves us to ponder. I’d like to think this book might make a few teens wake up to themselves. What would you do if the world was coming to an end? I found a few parts hard to swallow, mainly Anita’s struggle of living her life for everyone other than herself, as I feel that way sometimes, so that made me contemplate my own situation.
FIVE STARS for the next big thing > > > We All Looked Up.
Kelly
Written on Mar 20, 2015
Heart achingly poignant, We All Looked Up follows the storyline of four teens all connected by six degrees of separation. Peter, Eliza, Andy and Anita's lives entwine as an asteroid is on a course with Earth. Peter excels at sports, he's the popular one with the stunning girlfriend, making them both teen royalty of sorts. But Peter isn't as happy as he seems. A little over a year ago, a tryst with Aliza in the school photography darkroom left Peter with wanting more, and leaving Aliza with a ruined reputation as the school slut. But Peter isn't the only one who is attracted to Aliza. Andy is a loner with no ambition but has liked Aliza before her reputation proceeded her. His best friend is a small time drug dealer, and in a relationship with Peter's sister. There is no love lost between the two boys as they both vie for Eliza's affections. But then there's Anita. Resident good girl who lives under the pressure and expectations of her parents, she finds a kindred spirit in Andy and the two form a tentative friendship.
The portrayal of teen issues was not only incredibly realistic, but readers of any age can relate to the daily struggles of finding yourself. Their expectations, disappointment and needs were verging on palpable, and reminded me so much of my own struggle through those difficult teen years. Although connected, as a group they could barely tolerate one another. But the uncertainty of the world around them left them finding solace in one another as a means of support. Reminiscent of an apocalyptic Breakfast Club, it was incredible to watch how each personality coped amidst the pending crisis, the unlikely hero, the self destruction or sheltering from the storm.
It was simply genius. Tommy Wallach has crafted an instant classic, sure to enthrall, entertain and immerse readers for generations to come.
abigailjohnson
Written on Sep 22, 2014
The problem I seem to have with books like this is that they really aren't about 'the premise.' It's not about an asteroid, it's about a girl who embraced a false reputation when her dad got sick, another who longs to break free from the impossible expectations set by her parents to pursue a singing career, an athlete struggling to find the meaning of life, and a laid back slacker who...wants everyone to chill out. Okay, fine. If any of those stories/characters intrigue you, pick up this book. Personally, I wasn't grabbed by any of them. I found them to be fairly generic and cliche. And while the writing was fine, it wasn't strong enough to elevate these tired tropes to anything memorable.
Ultimately, this book left me bored and longing for John Green or Maggie Stiefvater to take on an end of the world premise.