Books › Twisted
Twisted
350 pages
A darkly funny, unflinchingly honest dive into the pressure cooker of teenage masculinity and family dysfunction.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being trapped in the pressure cooker of a high school hallway, where every glance is a judgment and every expectation is a heavy weight. The narrative voice is sharp, sarcastic, and deeply vulnerable, pulling you immediately into the messy, frustrating reality of trying to figure out what it means to be a man when all your role models are deeply flawed. The pacing is brisk, driven by simmering family tensions and the inevitable collision of new social status with old, deep-seated insecurities. It is a gritty, angst-ridden, yet surprisingly funny experience that refuses to offer easy answers. This is perfect for readers who crave authentic, character-driven contemporary YA that tackles toxic dynamics and the painful, necessary process of finding your own voice.
- Mood
- tense
- claustrophobic
- gritty
- hopeful
- Tone
- sarcastic
- wry
- vulnerable
- earnest
- angsty
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- toxic masculinity · family dysfunction · burden of expectations · reinventing oneself · finding one's voice
- The writing
- Sharp, conversational, and darkly funny, driven by a highly authentic and unfiltered teenage voice.
- The arc
- Moves from cynical isolation and simmering resentment to explosive confrontation and hard-won self-acceptance.
- Who it's for
- Readers who appreciate gritty, character-driven YA that tackles the messy realities of high school and family dysfunction without sugarcoating.
Content notes
- suicidal ideation
- bullying
- emotional abuse
- underage drinking
- toxic family dynamics
About the book
High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the kind of guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school, and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it, he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just so happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy—and Tyler's secret crush. And that sets off a string of events and changes that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world. In Twisted, the acclaimed Laurie Halse Anderson tackles a very controversial subject: what it means to be a man today. Fans and new readers alike will be captured by Tyler's pitchperfect, funny voice, the surprising narrative arc, and the thoughtful moral dilemmas that are at the heart of all of the author's award-winning, widely read work.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Twisted
See why they match
SpeakLaurie Halse AndersonA raw, biting, and deeply internal journey through the suffocating weight of trauma and the hard-won triumph of finally finding the words to fight back.
CatalystLaurie Halse AndersonA tightly wound exploration of what happens when a rigidly organized life collides with unpredictable tragedy.
Boot CampTodd StrasserA harrowing, claustrophobic plunge into the brutal reality of a secretive teen boot camp where survival means risking everything.
CrankEllen HopkinsA visceral, free-falling descent into addiction told through sharp, breathless verse that refuses to look away.
FlippedWendelin Van DraanenA charming, he-said-she-said exploration of first love and the messy, beautiful process of learning to see people for who they truly are.
Just ListenSarah DessenA quiet, music-infused journey about dropping the burden of perfection and finally learning to speak the truth.