Alexis DeCamp

[findesiecle]

I was surprised to notice that there wasn't a thread about Alexis, Mallory's initial roommate in The All-New Mallory Pike, so I took the liberty of making one.

I think she acts as an interesting foil for Mallory throughout the book: presumably wealthy, likely an only child (judging from the rules she gets narked off about lays out).

So, um, what do you guys think? <3

[aln1982]

I thought Alexis was a real brat. As for the only child thing, I don't think that has anything to do with her attitude. I'm an only child and don't (or at least hope I don't ;D) act like her. (I'm sorry to be kind of defensive about this but I get tired of the inaccurate stereotype of only children as spoiled and not knowing how to act or interact) There are lots of only children who are more polite, more respectful, etc than kids from big families. I think a lot of it - especially for Alexis - has to do with how much attention the parents give the child. I think Alexis's problem was that she felt pushed aside by her parents and that she took that out on Mallory and others. I still couldn't feel too sorry for her, though, because she did have a choice to not act that way. Not sure why but Alexis really bothered me and I didn't like her at all. I'm glad she wasn't in more books and was glad that Mal no longer had to room with her.

[findesiecle]

I'm sorry. I should've phrased that better. I posted when I should've been sleeping and my awkward incoherence really shines through sometimes, especially when I'm tired. I was trying to make it evident I was joking around, but I guess I failed. All apologies! <3

[nothingtolose18]

I didn't really like her either. She was such a brat, and I hate reading that part where she wrecks Mal's care package. How cruel! That would be the last straw for me (and it was for Mal, too, wasn't it?) All she wanted was attention, and she went about getting it in a negative way. Mallory was perfectly willing to be friends with her, and even tried to include her, but she wouldn't have any of it. I didn't like her at all, and was relieved she moved out.
On a side note, I would have liked to read more about Mal's life at Riverbend!

[aln1982]

findesiecle said:

I'm sorry. I should've phrased that better. I posted when I should've been sleeping and my awkward incoherence really shines through sometimes, especially when I'm tired. I was trying to make it evident I was joking around, but I guess I failed. All apologies! <3

Sorry that my post sounded so harsh. ;D I know how it is with jokes not coming across wrong. I just (as I said) get tired of the only children stereotype and wanted to make sure I pointed out that it wasn't true. Again, I didn't mean to sound like I was jumping down your throat. ;D
I didn't realize until the last time I reread this book how much I disliked Alexis but I think she is one of my least favorite characters. At least with some "villians" like Cokie, she is so "evil" that she's laughable. Alexis, I think, is too realistic and reminds me of other kids I knew who didn't know how to act and took it out on me and others around them. Brings back bad memories maybe....

[greer]

I don't think only children are spoiled, but it's been my experience with only children (my boyfriend:)) that they might have a harder time sharing space and needing their space more than someone with lots of siblings does. but i was a pretty difficult roommate in high school, and I have three siblings. i am ok sharing a room with someone if i am in love with them and really want to see them all the time, but platonic roommates do not sit well with me. i definitely prefer living in a single room, so i can relate to alexis in this book.

[booboobrewer]

Mar 13, 2008 22:55:39 GMT -5 nothingtolose18 said:

I hate reading that part where she wrecks Mal's care package. How cruel!

I hate reading about that too Poor Mal. To live with someone that makes you genuinely uncomfortable, and then to have that person just invade your personal privacy by reading your journal and destroying your belongings...that kind of stuff just really bothers me.

[starlett2010]

I felt kind of sorry for Alexis. I think she was just a really insecure person who tried to cover her insecurities by acting bossy and mean. I think it was a defense mechanism for her. I think Alexis could not just explain her feelings of being lonely and left out so she acted out to get the sympathy and attention she was craving. Does that make sense?

[anzuhana]

I never liked her. I thought that she was horrible and I didn't feel sorry for her because she crossed the line by making up all the rules, by taking Mallory's earrings without her permission, etc. I hate how she read Mallory's journal and destroyed her care project.

[oldhickory]

i can't stand alexis either. the whole diary thing is pretty crappy, but i guess it doesn't bother me so much. but if anybody EVER touched my earrings i would absolutely lose my temper and cut somebody. i have lots of dumb earrings that i don't care too much about, but my most precious earrings are my great grandmother's that became mine when she passed away, and the earrings my boyfriend got me for our first christmas together. to me, going through somebody's jewelry box is far worse than reading someone's diaries. my jewelry tells a bigger story about my history than my diary does.

[anzuhana]

I think it depends on the situation but I would probably be more furious if someone read my journal because there some things that I wrote in my journal that I don't want anyone to read. With earrings, if I would have sentimental feeling toward certain earrings, I probably would leave them at home with my family since I trust them not to wear them unless I say that they can. I would only have important earrings with me for special occassions.

[oldhickory]

that's true also. i would never bring my nice jewelry to boarding school and leave it alone with a near stranger.

[Sideshowjazz1]

I don't know whether to hate Alexis or feel sorry for her. I don't think she's spoilt. I think there's something seriously troubling with her. She's got some issues that she probably needs to work out. I could imagine that she got sent to therapy before and got so defensive that it was doing her more harm than good. But until she works through the problems she clearly has, I don't think things will work out for her.

[greer]

Sept 14, 2016 4:24:41 GMT -5 Sideshowjazz1 said:

I don't know whether to hate Alexis or feel sorry for her. I don't think she's spoilt. I think there's something seriously troubling with her. She's got some issues that she probably needs to work out. I could imagine that she got sent to therapy before and got so defensive that it was doing her more harm than good. But until she works through the problems she clearly has, I don't think things will work out for her.

Alexis kind of reminds me of myself, TBH. When I was younger and in boarding school and later college, it was really hard for me to have a roommate. I wasn't as crazy as her, but after a month or so, having to share my space all the time really got to me. Dormitory life isn't really made for introverts. Plus I had a lot of problems in my life. I think she needed therapy, though.

edit: I see I said basically the same thing eight (!!!) years ago, LOL.

[booboobrewer]

I had two bad roommate experiences in college, so yeah, it's hard sharing a small space with another girl, imo.

Major introvert here