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jenny.'s Reviews > Cut
Cut
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by
I actually read this book approximately two years ago, while I was undergoing the problem presented in this book. What I had hoped to find was perhaps a level of understanding, or just some -- any -- meaning. But in all honestly, I finished it about two hours later, consumed by irritation and aggravation at the injustice of this book on a scale of many different levels!
As I've stated, I am one of the people who has undergone the emotions and mentality in order to become so desensitised as to perform acts of self-mutilation. The main problem with this novel for myself was how I could not, no matter how hard I tried, connect with the main character. Honestly, she seemed ridiculous from the very beginning (I don't know why I didn't put the book down then, but I had hoped that maybe some sort of personality would shine through, just a little trace of it). She is stiff; a cardboard cut-out of a human being, with no real sense of personality of identity -- she is just the main character in which all these events revolve around, but it doesn't seem to actually affect her. (Do I make myself clear, or am I just rambling on?)
My main complaint is how short and vague this novel turned out to be. By the end of this short and flimsy book, one actually feels unsatisfied and disgusted (but maybe this is just me? I personally like depth into my stories...) And while, I suppose, this novel would be good for someone who wanted to get the gist of this (but why on earth would you only settle for the gist of it? Personally, I believe that this is quite a serious subject, and not one of those little silly teenage problems, so to speak. How can anyone take it so lightly in writing? It is unfair and unjust that such little effort and research has been put into this, and remarkable how it can turn into such a well-known novel!), it seems, to me, rather poorly researched and hardly believable.
McCormick could have done so much more to the story, such as a more in-depth character development, for one (and it seems to me that it should be something she should work on), and, if she were ever going to attempt another novel on issues similar to this on the future (see: drug/alcohol addiction, rape, etc.), perhaps she should do a bit more research instead of throwing together random facts and half-done characters into a weak plot and tossing it onto the shelves.
As I've stated, I am one of the people who has undergone the emotions and mentality in order to become so desensitised as to perform acts of self-mutilation. The main problem with this novel for myself was how I could not, no matter how hard I tried, connect with the main character. Honestly, she seemed ridiculous from the very beginning (I don't know why I didn't put the book down then, but I had hoped that maybe some sort of personality would shine through, just a little trace of it). She is stiff; a cardboard cut-out of a human being, with no real sense of personality of identity -- she is just the main character in which all these events revolve around, but it doesn't seem to actually affect her. (Do I make myself clear, or am I just rambling on?)
My main complaint is how short and vague this novel turned out to be. By the end of this short and flimsy book, one actually feels unsatisfied and disgusted (but maybe this is just me? I personally like depth into my stories...) And while, I suppose, this novel would be good for someone who wanted to get the gist of this (but why on earth would you only settle for the gist of it? Personally, I believe that this is quite a serious subject, and not one of those little silly teenage problems, so to speak. How can anyone take it so lightly in writing? It is unfair and unjust that such little effort and research has been put into this, and remarkable how it can turn into such a well-known novel!), it seems, to me, rather poorly researched and hardly believable.
McCormick could have done so much more to the story, such as a more in-depth character development, for one (and it seems to me that it should be something she should work on), and, if she were ever going to attempt another novel on issues similar to this on the future (see: drug/alcohol addiction, rape, etc.), perhaps she should do a bit more research instead of throwing together random facts and half-done characters into a weak plot and tossing it onto the shelves.
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Cut.
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Finished Reading
June 8, 2008
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Kristen wrote: "I agree. I was somewhat surprised that the book summary said she had spent something like 3 years researching for the book. The other "cutter" at the center seemed especially stereotyped and didn'..."Three years?!
I think maybe her problem is that she tried to make it too accessible to teenagers and to condense things and matters. That seems to be a logical account, because honestly, three years is a very long time, and having researched it and coming up with this crap is astonishing.
I agree with you too! I have struggled with this problem at times in my life just to release the anger I couldn't express. I read this book too hoping for more understanding. Callie was very shallow and didn't really give much insight into this disorder.
I have to chime in and say that I also agree. I was immediately let down when I started this.
I agree I have started to cut myself too and I had hoped this could show me that someone understands what it feels like. All she did was through togather a story that had a lot of potential that could have answered my questions and give me some reasurance.
Brianna - I'm sure there are books that are better than this one and that may be able to help. Maybe non-fiction, like a memoir possibly? I probably even have a few on my lists or can find some if you'd like?
jenny, I completely agree with you! I've been a cutter for almost ten years and when I read this book, I was looking for the same thing you were. Looking back on it now, after reading several books on psychology, I'm also disturbed by the scenes in which she "dissociates". The author made it seem like this is something typical of all cutters. What she failed to realize is that dissociation is a very complex reaction to severe trauma, something Callie never encounters. The more I think about the book as a whole, the more disgusted I am by the lack of depth in a story about a character that was supposed to be deeply troubled - the author made it seem like this is a little issue. Ugh.
i also have the problem presented in the book and im struggling to get my life back at the moment... did you find this book helpful?? or triggering? Im juts not sure whether to read it or not
I was thinking the same thing, it doesn't seem like she spent three years researching the topic.
I haven't read this book, but it seems intresting. The Reviews don't look too good. If this story is bad and has a bad plot. The Book "Willow by Julia Hoban" Is a MUCH better book about someone who cuts herself. I to have this problem, and I think Willow is a much better story (If this story turns out to be Horrible)
I also wrote a review about the reasons why I disliked this book but I do have to say, if you plan on reading it, the only good thing about it is that it's a quick read.
I agree with everything you've mentioned. After I finished Cut, I was dissatisfied with just about everything that had happened.If you're on the search for a much better written book about cutting, I would suggest Willow by Julia Hoban. I think it towers over Cut by far.
I agree with you also.
I agree too. It seemed like I needed more information there. I did find a book on the subject called Her by Felicia Johnson. It is very detailed about cutting and mental health recovery.
I agree. I felt the same way when i read the book. It wasn't a bad book, but the author could've done a little more research.
I really don't think this book was meant as a treatment for cutting, and it's unfair to review it as if it were. You're disappointed that Callie isn't exactly like you? You could talk to a great many real-life cutters and find them likewise not like you, because that's just how it is. This is a fiction book for preteens and teens, and I think it's good if you judge it for what it is. If you're looking for a book to help you with a cutting problem, this is not the book for you.
I agree Nicole. I suffer from this affliction and I don't think this book was meant to be the end all, be all books about cutting. It's a short, fictional story about a young girl. I think it's perfectly plausible that she could be so numb, and why is what she went through, not "enough," trauma? This was this writer's first novel and writing is not an easy task. I think it's a good book. No, it's not all encompassing but that doesn't mean it loses all merit. I've been through a whole lot of trauma, being kind to myself (not cutting and/or picking) is a daily battle, my story has nothing to do with, and is not this book.
I actually recommend this book to alot of teenagers, its a good book short and the author really got my attention
its actually not in stores anymore
Quite frankly, I went through a time period of constant sef-harm and have had depression for 5 years and still suffer from it and this book was the most relateable thing I absolutely loved it and LOVED how Callie always secretly wanted help but never had the courage to speak up and ask for it. Also I think her lack of speech in the beginning (half or so) of the book represents how those suffering from mental illnesses and disorders, etc. feel as though they must stay quiet and that they cannot vent to anyone without being judged. Also when she finally does start talking it's in order to improve and also because she realized that she had nothing to lose and these girls wouldn't judge her and that's so true and she also began to see that her silence was negatively afflicting others (when she knew that the girl with anorexia/bulimia idk which, was still throwing up her food and not eating). Sorry, but I 100 % disagree with this review but maybe you just didn't see it from the same point of view that I did.
About 5 years ago, I've almost passed out in the first chapter due to my massive imagination of the imagery used when she cut herself. Due to my phobia of blood haha. It's was quite weird I thought as well, like a cut-out cardboard human, I agree with you as well.
I agree completely! I noticed repeatedly that McCormick did not really discuss much what Callie thought or felt, but more of what she actually physically did. The main character was not developed enough, which is a shame because I was really interested in her backstory, how she ended up at Sea Pines, and how the recovery process ended up for her with her self harm issues and not simply her speaking up in group therapy.
Agreed. When finished, I remembered nothing particular about her, at all.
I think this book was meant to be a book for young people to bring up the issue of cutting. Kind of a way to open a talk about it. Cutting is something that is done for many different reason and is very complex to explain when ur not the one suffering from it.
Have you found any better books with characters dealing with this?
I know i read this book in middle school but i don’t remember jack shit. I also read the Among the Hidden series and almost 16 years later re read the first 4 books within a couple months. For a book on something I suffered with as well it is actually frustrating to really be moved by this 😕
I get all of these points and yes it could have been a much longer book with more intense details. But personally, it touched me. I was a cutter with severe trauma, and this book absolutely helped me in high school. Saying that Callie didn't have trauma in her life is ridiculous and shows that you've never had the responsibility of taking care of a fatally ill family member. I have. Several times. The pressure of being scared to move, make noise, even breath for fear that you'll hurt someone you love is unimaginable. So I understand why she disassociates, I went through it myself when thinking, feeling, or just being alive got too painful to bear. Of course this doesn't apply to every cutter or person with trauma but for you to say it has no place in the world of cutter/trauma books is ridiculous. As it IS NOT meant as a self help/treatment book why treat and review it as such? Because as you said, EVERYONE EXPERIENCES THESE THINGS DIFFERENTLY. Your story is not mine as mine is clearly not yours.
I’m going to have to disagree. I have never periodically cut or anything, though I’ve wanted to. However, I have had episodes; none so severe. I did not resonate with the sh but with the state of mind. She disassociated to get away from the world. She does not have as much character because she hides. She observes the world in silence. That’s what I liked about it. Aside from most of the cutting, she was much like myself in a way.
I 100% agree!! The protagonist was boring and so was everyone else. Plot was boring everything was boring she was looking for issues in places that there aren’t issues. I can see how her feeling like her brother being sick is her fault but I don’t understand how she just stopped feeling that way. How quickly she started to feel normal. How easy it was. She’s so boring
McCormick definitely could have done more with the story.