REVIEW | Not Otherwise Specified by Hannah Moskowitz
9:07 PM
- Title: Not Otherwise Specified
- Author: Hannah Moskowitz
- Series?: No
- Genre: Contemporary
- Big Issues: Sexuality, Race, Disordered Eating
- Rating: ★★★★☆
Goodreads Summary:
Etta is tired of dealing with all of the labels and categories that seem so important to everyone else in her small Nebraska hometown.
Everywhere she turns, someone feels she's too fringe for the fringe. Not gay enough for the Dykes, her ex-clique, thanks to a recent relationship with a boy; not tiny and white enough for ballet, her first passion; and not sick enough to look anorexic (partially thanks to recovery). Etta doesn’t fit anywhere— until she meets Bianca, the straight, white, Christian, and seriously sick girl in Etta’s therapy group. Both girls are auditioning for Brentwood, a prestigious New York theater academy that is so not Nebraska. Bianca seems like Etta’s salvation, but how can Etta be saved by a girl who needs saving herself?
The latest powerful, original novel from Hannah Moskowitz is the story about living in and outside communities and stereotypes, and defining your own identity.
I don't necessarily think that this book is groundbreaking. I don't think that it is something that will be held up as a bastion of diverse YA literature for ages to come. I do, however, think that this book is important. It is important and necessary and really, really good.
I have never read Moskowitz before. I think the more stream-of-consciousness narration is sort of her thing (from other reviews I have read) and, I must say, I really enjoyed it here. I thought that Etta's voice was great and, even though I didn't always enjoy her as a character, that strong voice was really important in my overall reading experience. I think that this kind of writing - improper structure, looser prose - is something that can be either hit or miss and, for me, Moskowitz hit it right on the head.
The bisexual representation in this book is absolutely incredible. It brings up a lot of relevant points regarding the "controversy" over bisexuality that is present in our society today. I loved Etta as part of this community. I think that the things she had to say about it were smart and true - and I loved her own little snarky twist on it.
I also adored the friendship aspect between Bianca and Etta. It may have seemed to develop a little quickly but for some reason I just couldn't help but think these two girls were a perfect fit as friends. I also thought that the sisters (Etta and Kristina) were written convincingly, but I would've liked to see more regarding Kristina's own issues at school. Their mother was included well enough - better than most YA parents.
I don't think the overarching plot was anything too special but it worked well enough for what was being put together in this book. I did end up crying at the end for reasons I'm still not entirely sure of but I guess that just goes to show that I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Also, I'm not always a fan of covers with people on them but I'm so glad that this one actually included a young woman of color! I was a bit torn on how heavy Etta was supposed to be though... am I picturing just an average sized teen? A size 18? I wish there was a little more of a discussion behind her eating disorder - besides the fact that she struggled with it and she didn't quite fit the criteria for anorexia.
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