After reading Ellen Hopkins, Crank, I decided that I wanted more of her work. So I chose Burned for really no reason other than it sounded interesting. The main character, Pattyn, is 17 and the oldest of seven girls in a Mormon family. Her father is an alcoholic and believes that her mother should basically do anything he says. Her mother thinks that her purpose in life is to have as many children as possible and especially wants a son to carry on the family name. So, already this family is dysfunctional and if you've read any of Hopkins novels you know where this leads. Pattyn disagree's with the strict Mormon expectations and lifestyle and despises her father, and do you blame her?
Then, Pattyn starts to date Derek (without her parents knowing) and she ends up getting caught drinking in the desert, she begins back-talking her parents and they eventually send her to live with her Aunt Jeanette in Nevada. While living with Aunt J she falls in love (over the course of a summer) with Ethan. She loses her virginity to him, and so on. Her father does not approve of him because he is not Mormon and makes her come home for the school year. The end of the novel takes a large turn and can get slightly emotional. But, overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. The style of Ellen Hopkins writing is fascinating and the outline of her characters are brilliant.
Also, I would not say that this novel is bashing the Mormon religion, and that it is not about religion at all. It is about an abusive family and more specifically her abusive father who continues to ruin her life in any way he possibly can.
Then, Pattyn starts to date Derek (without her parents knowing) and she ends up getting caught drinking in the desert, she begins back-talking her parents and they eventually send her to live with her Aunt Jeanette in Nevada. While living with Aunt J she falls in love (over the course of a summer) with Ethan. She loses her virginity to him, and so on. Her father does not approve of him because he is not Mormon and makes her come home for the school year. The end of the novel takes a large turn and can get slightly emotional. But, overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. The style of Ellen Hopkins writing is fascinating and the outline of her characters are brilliant.
Also, I would not say that this novel is bashing the Mormon religion, and that it is not about religion at all. It is about an abusive family and more specifically her abusive father who continues to ruin her life in any way he possibly can.