Teenage years are some of the hardest times to go through a crisis with friends, because it is truly when you need them the most. A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Brey, is about learning to trust friends, family, and yourself. In this book, the main character Gemma meets four girls at boarding school in london, 1863. She has a secret that she chooses to share with them. This isn’t a small secret like who she has a crush on, but a secret that will change all of their lives. This book is relatable to other teens because it is about learning to cope with sacrifice, and learning overtime to be a responsible adult. This is what teens go through in high school everyday. We make mistakes and learn from them this is how we grow. The mistake that Gemma makes is impossible to get out of though.
Throughout teen years it’s hard to find faithful friends that won’t stab you in the back. Gemma and her 3 friends love drama and trouble. The 4 girls have to learn to trust each other with their secrets and deepest regrets. This is something that teens go through throughout high school and middle school. It's hard to find the right friend group to share your nest valued thoughts with. Gemma undergoes peer pressure on her way to being a part of her current friend group. Along with all the people that doubted her along the way, she felt even more obligated to be a part of something. “I walked into the church, and felt around for the bottle of wine. As soon as I grabbed it and went back to the door I heard distant laughter. The doors were locked.” Gemma's friends told her to go into the church to retrieve the wine. Normally a teen wouldn't do this on their own. Teens go through peer pressure everyday at school. Whether it's asking a crush out or being pressured to smoke a cigarette, some teens give in just to be noticed and liked. This makes me think that teens judgement is clouded while around people they want to impress.
When it comes to love for Gemma she was so desperate to have someone to love that she threw herself at Kartik. Kartik was there when her mom died and taught her to not be afraid, and instead use that power to make amazing things happen. Gemma realized that she could use her sadness and despair to make her stronger and more independent. This quote struck me, “I wanted him to stop, but after I pushed him off, he floated away. I wanted to feel his body warmth against my skin again.” Because it really shows how tempted teen girls can be around guys. Gemma had the power to say no and take control of her body. This is something many teens are too afraid to do. With the help from her friends, and occasionally family, she becomes a better and more independent woman.
This book is something I strongly believe all teen should read. This is a Book about love and trust, loss and sacrifice, and learning how to love and believe in yourself. I think this book changed my views on how teens are and how they act around their friends. Gemma learns to change, and prospers from it. Me and other teens would be so much more trustworthy if we learned to do the same.
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