Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

You know that thing you did as a juvenile and got away with it? The thing that wasn’t really bad as much as stupid or silly? Twisted is a young adult novel (I’m talking 17+ yrs old here) that explores how a teenager who gets caught in such a prank must live and then break out of the reputation his decisions have built. The main character, Tyler Miller, is ending his junior summer by completing community service for the solo prank, his father refers to as the “foul deed”, he attempted. School officials and law enforcement decide to make an example of Tyler. His lone act moved him from an unknown nerd to a rebel that is admired and feared by peers, repulsed by teachers and scrutinized officers of the law and family. He must endure false accusations which were based mostly on his previous actions. His father is an ambitious, critical business man; his mom a supportive rising entrepreneur and his sister Hannah, a rising socialite is diving into the high school experience head first. Tyler is an intelligent young man with a passion for being desired and affirmed. His biggest desire is to win the affection of Bethany Milbury, the daughter of his father’s boss.

Positive Elements

Tyler’s father makes a huge request of him to forfeit a contest which allows the boss’s son to look good. Tyler is not happy but is obedient. Tyler rescues his best friend Calvin Hodges a.k.a. – Yoda from the tormenting of football players in a locker room. The ordeal is embarrassing but the two manage to spare each other dignity through it. Yoda has a crush on Tyler’s younger sister but resist pursuing without Tyler’s blessing. Tyler and his mom forage a relationship that is focused on building each other up. This includes his mom turning from alcohol to face her problems. Tyler makes the right decision privately but has to pay for the perception others have of the same night. Tyler’s sister, Hannah, shows respect for her brother’s opinions and pleads with him to rethink his decisions which would leave her alone. She seeks help from Yoda for her brother. Janitor Joe, a man of few words, acknowledges prophesies and advises Tyler’s tough position in life. Janitor Joe manages to drop affirmations which later save Tyler from self-consuming descent.  Tyler takes responsibility for what he did and did not do. He turns his back on an opportunity to exact revenge. Once Tyler is forced into seclusion from classrooms he develops a love for learning. His English teacher makes extra time available to help Tyler during his isolation from the main population. Spoiler Warning Tyler’s father seeks reconciliation after a night of waiting on the porch for his son’s return.

Spiritual Content

Absolutely nada! Tyler tells lie that he must attend a Sunday school event in order to get out of an obligation; neither he nor his family attends a church. This is a purely pull yourself up by your own bootstraps or hope the village helps you kind of story.

Sexual Content

Since the book is narrated from Tyler’s POV we subjected to his sometimes corny sometimes hotter sexual fantasies of Bethany. Bethany comes on strong to Tyler making it absolutely clear her intentions for a planned interlude. Later, to goad Tyler she makes out hot and heavy with another boy in Tyler’s presence. Her actions have very dire consequences for her reputation. Hannah changes her clothes to show more skin when she is away from her parents.  Pornographic images of an unconscious girl being stripped are briefly described on a computer and become the subject of a major investigation for the rest of the book.

Violent Content

Tyler frequently fantasizes somewhat violent acts upon those who annoy him or wrong him. We assume after some time that his thoughts will not be carried out; therefore the fantasies become twisted and humorous. Tyler is pushed, beaten and has things thrown at him. He graphically contemplates suicide. This internal struggle builds through out the book.

Crude/Profane Language

The language remains for the most part relatively mild which is good because of the heavy content.

Drug/Alcohol Content

Alcohol is served at an adult party. Then it shows up in excess at an unsupervised party where most of the school crashes. Bethany her brother and others become incapacitated by their alcohol consumption. Tyler's mom turns to alcohol to deal with her overbearing husband.

Other Negative Elements

Tyler endures gossip and an unsupportive father. The school system favors isolation for Tyler instead of inclusion with unruly students. The book is full of teenagers using omission or lies to get where or what they want. A cataclismic outburst changes how the Miller family relates to one another.

Conclusions

OK, why on earth would I like such a dark piece of fiction? Through out the book Ms Anderson builds on Tyler's back insurmountable pressure until we are sure one of two things will happen. Either Tyler will take his own life or snap and take out half the school along with his father and himself. The strain between Tyler and his Dad is best paralleled in the form of a Dark Lord video game that Tyler plays throughout the book. Each level of Hell that Tyler descends into represents a new depth of real despair in his life and strain with his father.  Let’s face it; all the dark stuff she has written here is all too familiar even with best sheltered  families. We all have sludge we stood witness to in our families and this book does such a fantastic job of weaving long term consequences for our decisions good or bad. The hot topics of suicide, alcoholism, gossip, porn, violence and reputation are things adults should be discussing with their near adult children, these things should not be buried or ignored but honed in on, carved into and pulled apart so that independent convictions can be challenged or nurtured.  My biggest bone to pick with this book is the theme of humanism - nothing is impossible with enough will power and hard work a person can resolve all of his own problems. So there is a lack of need for faith. The bad stuff in this book is never glorified but given it’s proper place. However, virtue is glorified and lifted for all to behold.  And that makes it a worthy read for mature audiences only.