A Review of 'Dreamland' by Sarah Dessen

“Wake up, Caitlin…

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He’s magnetic. He’s compelling. He’s dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else—her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?”

For me, Sarah Dessen novels are touch and go—you like them or you don’t. This one felt different because of the abuse that goes on. I haven’t read very many Sarah Dessen novels, but of the ones that I have read, it was either love between the girl’s mom and step-dad or something about wanting to be with a guy that they can’t have. Sure, they all had their moment of reckoning, but nothing like this.

It was so powerful because Caitlin was not only trapped on the outside, with Rogerson keeping tabs on her at all times and getting angry when she was even a little bit late, but also on the inside. I found it interesting towards the end when even her thoughts were consumed by Rogerson. She would skip class just so she wouldn’t be late to meet him and then maybe there was a chance that he wouldn’t get mad and hit her. When she knew she was going to be late, the adrenalin kicked in and she panicked because she knew what was coming. These were the difficult parts to read.

All through the book, you can’t help but think “Come on, Caitlin! Get a grip!” even though you know nothing can be changed now, since this is all printed up and spread throughout the country (the world?).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s powerful and it’s a Siamese twin on your emotions (hmm… I might have to re-think that metaphor… that sounded better in my head…).

Have a good rest of the weekend, everyone!

--Jude