#3 Mary Anne's Big Breakup

[wiggir13]

Yeah I don't really see that either. I just think that MA was growing and Logan wasn't. I do think Logan was very clingy but that is sort of typically when people don't understand and want to let it go.

[sarish]

I remember reading this when I was like 12 and hating it, but as an adult reading it, I really felt they were both better without the other. It was strange with Kristy - she can be 'friendly' with Logan and talk to him, but going on about how great he was and not siding with her best friend about it was strange.

Pete and Dave asking her out made me laugh - but it was cute.

[anzuhana]

I remember reading this when I was like 12 and hating it, but as an adult reading it, I really felt they were both better without the other.

I know. I feel that if Mary Anne and Logan got back together, Mary Anne would dump Logan again for the same reason.

[celaeno]

From the FF books I've read, I feel like they do a good job of keeping everyone in-character, despite the shift in the tone in the books. However, I felt like Kristy was out-of-character in this one with how she was acting around Logan. I always had the impression that Kristy never really warmed up to Logan (I see Kristy as being pretty jealous regarding Mary Anne's other relationships, so in my mind, deep down she would always have a little dislike of Dawn and Logan), so to me it felt out-of-character for Kristy to say she still wants to hang out with Logan and be friendly with him, and for Mary Anne to see them chatting and joking together. I felt that once Mary Anne and Logan broke up, Kristy would have no continued connection to Logan.

(I feel that Logan, on the other hand, did like Kristy, as I think he's one of those easy-going people who genuinely likes most other people, so I don't think it's strange that he would continue to be friendly toward her.)

I really liked the conversation between Dawn and Mary Anne at the end of the book. I think everything Dawn said was really spot-on and insightful.

[virgoscorpio]

I really liked Mary Anne and Claud's relationship in this one; felt like they were the closest pairing. It was interesting to read how Mary Anne felt like she had the most in common with Claud. Felt a bit sad at the change in friendships: Mary Anne saying how Dawn is no longer her best friend and how Kristy is no longer her one tried and true friend. Also, the Claud and Stacey feud which lasts the entire series.

[celaeno]

Some comments on if you want to spend too much time thinking about the cover:

Mary Anne is holding a letter from Logan. It looks like they used his "real" font - that's a nice detail.

You can only see parts of the letter. It looks like it says:
Dear Mary Anne,
I don't know how to say
all the things I want to say.
We've been through so much
together - from the very
first moment I saw you, I
knew that you would be
a gigantic part of my life
and you have been. But
now I'm not so sure a____
where we're going. I _____
you, but right now I _____
confused ____________
_______
_______
_______ have
________
____ spend a lit_____
time apart. I ho___
understand - I ______
will (I know you s_____
do I?).

So, if you want to read too much into it: this doesn't make sense. Any letters from Logan pre-fire would be lost, so this would have to be from after the fire, but that makes it sound like Logan is the one ending the relationship. And there's no mention in this book of Logan writing Mary Anne a note.

[greer]

I think for the cover, the photographer just told an intern to write a breakup letter.

[andrew]

I didn't like another breakup happening, and the portrayal of it was less well-done than the first time, but still engaging and with pretty good writing of the characters.

The breakup was pretty rushed and underdeveloped but also believable enough, even though how much she was disliking and displeased with Logan was too sudden it also fit with the broader idea that Mary Anne had grown and changed a lot. It was nice that though they both had their faults I think neither Mary Anne and Logan were really villainous (though she at times thought he was and his friends very much were) it also was nice that while the other club members, to different extents, didn't really get why the breakup happened they were still very supportive of her. Kristy going on being friends with both and defending that was fitting though it was too bad she said she didn't feel at all romantic about Logan and even if she did wouldn't act on it, cutting off that possibility really quickly.

Mary Anne resenting Logan's friends for supporting him and Kristy also thinking that was a guy thing (while girls sticking together is natural, taken for granted, positive, expected) was pretty selective but OK selective perception.

I also don't think Logan is controlling or would be abusive, it did feel more like Mary Anne got too annoyed at minor things (that he suggested they go to the Rosebud one more time, "Why not," after she said no once, that he once continued to disagree and argue with her about whether a movie was dumb) and/or didn't express herself as much or strongly as she thought she had. But near the end he did become too angry with and dismissive of her, saying he wanted to work things out but dismissing her claim that he was too possessive with no one can please you.

[andrew]

It's interesting that Richard would have When Harry Met Sally, it wasn't really clear whether he had let Mary Anne watch it before or she was thinking of watching it for the first time unauthorized.

On the cover Mary Anne's hair is long again, though I don't think the writing said it was, and very dark.

[CharlotteTJohanssen]

^ it’s written as chin length in the book.

I like book, the break up isn’t handled as well but still decent.Logan only seems controlling when the plot needs him to I think. I really like how Dave and Pete asked her out after she dumped Logan though. Maybe one day she would date one of them?

[cnj]

May 27, 2020 9:07:23 GMT -5 andrew said:

It's interesting that Richard would have When Harry Met Sally, it wasn't really clear whether he had let Mary Anne watch it before or she was thinking of watching it for the first time unauthorized.

I think Richard didn't mind Mary Anne watching that film...remember he loosened up lots after Mary Anne Saves the Day.

May 27, 2020 9:07:23 GMT -5 andrew said:

On the cover Mary Anne's hair is long again, though I don't think the writing said it was, and very dark.

True, the writing never mentioned her hair length...but her hair has always been very dark, so the hair color was not new or different.

May 27, 2020 10:45:48 GMT -5 CharlotteTJohanssen said:

I really like how Dave and Pete asked her out after she dumped Logan though. Maybe one day she would date one of them?

If she did date again, it probably wouldn't be for a very long time...she needed time to heal from Logan.

I'm glad the series didn't hook Mary Anne up with a new boyfriend too soon.

I actually think eighth grade is a little too young to really date...at least wait until ninth grade.