[.ca] Dreamland A Novel (ISBN 0670891223)

From Amazon.com:
Strange, sleepy Rogerson, with his long brown dreads and brilliant green eyes, had seemed to Caitlin to be an open door. With him she could be anybody, not just the second-rate shadow of her older sister, Cass. But now she is drowning in the vacuum Cass left behind when she turned her back on her family's expectations by running off with a boyfriend. Caitlin wanders in a dream land of drugs and a nightmare of Rogerson's sudden fists, lost in her search for herself. Why do so many girls allow themselves to get into abusive relationships--and what keeps them there? In this riveting novel, Sarah Dessen searches for understanding and answers. Caught in a trap that is baited with love and need, Caitlin must frantically manage her every action to avoid being hit by the hands that once seemed so gentle. All around her are women who care--best friends, mother, sister, mentor--but shame keeps her from confiding in any of them, especially Cass, her brilliant older sister, whose own flight from home had seemed to point the way. Dessen has here created a subtle and compelling work of literature that goes far beyond the teen problem novel in a story rich with symbolism, dark scenes of paralyzing dread, quirky and memorable characters, and gleams of humor. With the consummate skill and psychological depth that brought her praise for Keeping the Moon, she explores the search for self-identity, the warmth of feminine friendships, and the destructive ways our society sets up young women for love gone wrong. (Ages 14 and older) --Patty Campbell

deliciously different:
The thing that struck me while reading Dreamland is the same element that causes many people to label the book 'disturbing'... the focus on how Caitlin let herself be abused and hurt. The language is beautiful and honest, and the characters are remarkably sympathetic- not in the sense that the reader feels sorry for them, but that the reader understands the reasons behind their behavior. Dreamland may be dark and gloomy, but it is also painfully honest, realistic, and compelling. A must read for anyone that isn't under the delusion that all teen literature has to be coated with happy pills!

Very Depressing:
I thought this book would be good, as I loved Sarah Dessen's other books, That Summer and Someone Like yOu, but this was very bad (in my opinion). It started off okay, but it got so much worse. It was horribly depressing. Someone else said it made her midly sick. Me too. I felt so depressed, and it was summer! Don't read this unless you like abusive boyfriend/sad books

Depressing:
When I began to read this book it sounded like a fantasy novel. But it turned into a story about drugs. If you like depressing scary stories this is the book for you! I would suggest "THis Lulaby" instead.

Depressing, boring:
I can't make myself like this book. At first, I thought it sounded good. From the back, I thought it might possibly be a fantasy novel. Not even close. The characters arent incredibly interesting, and the plot is so depressing it left me feeling mildly sick afterwards. I really liked This Lullaby by the same author, but Dreamland just makes me feel like the whole world is being sucked into a pit of despair and struggle. If you like depressing books about drugs and abusive boyfriends, I suppose you might like this story. If you don't fall into those categories, stay clear of this book.

AMAZINGLY FANTASTIC!!!!:
I never really picked up this book because I thought it, like another book I'd read with a similar plot, took place in a dream. I borrowed this book from the library prepared to completely hate it. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised. It does start out a bit on the boring side but it catches you up in its whirlwind of emotions and its just impossible not to love it. Maybe not love it but you will not be able to keep from reading from front to back with this one. Its amazing. Caitlin's emotions are so real and , as a girl with an older sister who im always second to, I definitely understand where she's coming from. Not to ruin the story or anything but when the character of Rogerson is first introduced I fell for him so hard. It was like I was caught in that relationship too. I have never been,nor do I ever hope to be, in an abusive relationship but I have always wondered why a woman would stick around through that but this book definitely made me understand. Sure it doesn't have the perfect, everything-works-out-in-the-end ending but I wouldn't consider it depressing. A definite must read.