Speak

The novel opens with Melinda Sordino starting her high school freshman year. She has been ostracised by her friends and fellow students after she called the cops at a summer party. It is clear that something happened. I think most readers will be able to predict what happened at the party but I won’t spoil it.

At school Melinda is befriended by a new girl Heather, only to later be ditched for ‘the Marthas’ a group of popular girls.

She becomes more depressed (Melinda is probably suffering from undiagnosed post traumatic stress disorder) and begins to skip school and frequently challenges parental and authority figures, who see her silence simply as attention seeking behaviour.

There are also literary parallels with Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter (1850), which Melinda is studying in English. Hester Prynne, the central character of The Scarlet Letter, like Melinda is a social outcast. Melinda also has a poster of author / poet Maya Angelou in her closet. Angelou was a outsider like Melinda and her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) had been banned by the school.

The novel is written in first person and almost reads like Melinda’s diary. Anderson uses a non-linear narrative with flashbacks disrupting the present. This fragmented narrative structure illustrates Melinda’s depressed state and the trauma she has suffered.

Also what is interesting is that Melinda works through her depression and PSTD herself without seeking professional help, although she does receive support from her lab partner David Petrakis and her art teacher Mr. Freeman.

This coming-of-age problem novel is about a young woman finding her own voice, and speaking up and allowing the truth to set her free. It is a powerful piece of writing for a debut novel.

In 2004 a film version directed by Jessica Sharzer starring Kristin Stewart screened at the Sundance Film Festival and screened on Showtime and Lifetime the following year.

Reader reviewed by hhs

I recently read the book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. The book was good but wasn't very powerful. It could've been more exciting in most parts. The book was very predictable and could've used more thoughts throughout the book. I felt as if the book was very true when it comes to the life of a high school girl and most high school girls would connect. It deals with a very controversial topic. I think this book would've appealed to me more if not for the style the author wrote it in. I'd only recommend it for either High School or Middle School girls due to the main theme. 

Reader reviewed by Kayci

Speak, although predictable, gave an unabashed portrayal of a female teenage outcast grappling with emotions that she cannot even bring herself to communicate. The book was frustrating at times as I felt like it was forcing the metaphor issue with the art class and communication. Also, the lack of dialogue became problematic for me especially as it became pretty obvious what was going on yet the character would never fully communicate that until almost the end. If the author did this intentionally to give the reader insight into how the main character felt about her inability to communicate, then it was certainly a success but it seemed dragged out towards the end. The portrayal of friendships and peer relationships was a bit exaggerated for me, particularly with the portrayal of cliques and Melindas friends blatant lack of concern for her; not giving her so much as a phone call post-party to ask her what was up. Also, the main characters unsympathetic parents and administrators added another level of frustration in that everything felt a little too set-up and fit in a little too well. There were no unexpected characters and that made the book forced and boring by the end of it. Perhaps its that many other books and storylines have been produced post-Speak that made the storyline and characters predictable. However, as far as tackling a serious issue and giving it an honest portrayal, the book does well in portraying Melindas inability to communicate and her state as an outcast. There are unexpected humorous moments and deeply emotional moments as well. While the book becomes predictable, the overall experience is honest and makes for a good read and good discussion piece.

Reader reviewed by sara

I didn't think this book would be that interesting when i first read about it.when i started reading it i couldn't put it down.i cried and i loved it.i highly recommened this book to everyone.