Polly

I very much enjoyed the first half of this book. I loved how Polly's relationship with her stepfather and mother was described, particularly her mother. I also liked how each chapter was named for the guy she was involved with during that point in her life. However, it almost got to the point where I wanted to see a chapter called Polly, because she started fading in the book for me. It just became more and more apparent that she didn't seem to have many defining characteristics--she just sort of took on the characteristics of the boys for whom the chapters were named.I read that the author attended the same high school Polly did, and lived around the same area around the same time and was into the same music scene. This makes me wonder if Polly's lack of definition came from the fact that she was too much a part of the author--if the author couldn't quite distinguish Polly clearly because she was Polly.The book could have stood to be condensed a bit, especially as Polly didn't seem to learn or grow much from boy to boy. I read that Polly originated from a series of unrelated essays the author had written and then decided to combine into a book. I think it mostly went together very cohesively, except for that lack of growth. It was like she was starting over each time.Fortunately, Polly's growth was apparent in her relationships with her mother and stepfather--and those were the scenes I enjoyed and that felt most relevant to her character.Overall I did enjoy the book and am glad I read it. Despite the issues I had with the plot development, I do like the way the author writes.

I bought this book because it had been recommended by Planned Parenthood as a realistic depiction of teen-age sex life, plus the story included the protagonist visiting a PP clinic for birth control. As the mother of 12 and 14 year old girls, I thought it would be good to preview the book and let them read something gritty if it was actually realistic. However, I thought the protagonist was awful, a TERRIBLE example of how to live one's life re: sex and drugs and school. I would not recommend this book to anyone except maybe someone who had been through the same kind of rocky adolescence -- certainly not someone entering adolescence!I do not think this book is very realistic either, since the protagonist is supposedly a young teenager who goes out to all kinds of punk rock concerts by herself -- who lets their kids roam around like that? who ever did?? Anyway, I did not like the book and do not see any redeeming qualities in it except maybe as a horrible warning.

It is not often, in the history of Western Civilization, that a book comes along like this one. "Polly" is a monumental tour de force, enthralling, poignant, and true. Okay, that's over the top, but seriously, this is a wonderful book about a high school girl's experiencing the "joy" of boys and growing up and learning things about herself the hard way. Set in the DC punk rock/hardcore era of the early to mid 90's, his book is honest, funny, a little gritty, and real. I would recommend "Polly" to any girl navigating this part of her life, or any parent who wants a glimpse at a world they may have forgotten.

This book was very nostalgic for a reader who grew up in the 80s. I could definitely relate to the teen angst and the way that the main character defined the different chapters of her life by her love interests. It was a well-written interesting read. I particularly recommend it to people in my age group (early 40s), but it would also be interesting for older teens / young adults.

I loved this book and my daughter loved this book. Amy Bryant's "Polly" is a girl that females of almost every age can identify with. If you are currently in high school or were there in the '80's this story will ring true. Excellent work -- looking forward to more from this writer!

Polly is a tough but also very vulnerable girl. Beginning from middle school and through college, Polly's got a string of boyfriends--a variety of punks and drunks. And she's got a story to tell about each one of them--from Tommy to Todd.With an acid-tripping high school dropout, she experiences her first heartbreak. Later, while in love with an older red-head, she gets cheated on with not one, but two other girls. In college, she loses her virginity with a DJ and then later dumps him. Moving on, she's later raped at a party during spring break. Rejected, hurt, confused, humiliated, or dumped, Polly remains true and spunky to the end.Author Amy Bryant's debut novel about a teenage girl living in the suburbs of the 1980s is strong, honest, and at times easy to relate to. Pick up a copy of POLLY and enter into her world of punk music, drugs, and hooking up with guys.Recommended for girls who know what it is like to be misunderstood!Reviewed by: Safia Abdul

This is an outstanding debut from a genuinely gifted writer. I adored the character of Polly with all her insecurities and bravado. In many ways, Polly represents everygirl who grows up into the woman she's destined to be in spite of her family and boyfriends. The story follows Polly from high school through to college and concentrates on her boyfriends along the way. A few relationships just end without Polly ever understanding what went wrong which is a phenomenon not uncommon to young lovers.I found the rape scene and following consequences almost too real. Like many young women, Polly doesn't report the rape and suffers privately which is something that occurs more than we'd like to believe.Polly is an intelligent, original and enjoyable read. I look forward to Ms. Bryant's next novel.