Glass by Ellen Hopkins: ‘It’s like glass, when we break’

Kristina’s descent continues in the New York Times bestselling sequel to Crank, now with a refreshed look and a trade paperback trim size.One little bit, my heart revs high, then settles into quick- step mode. How I’ve missed that race and pound. How I’ve missed the lack of control.Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it’s all the same: a monster. Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she is determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grip…and it won’t let go.The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell.

There is a song from an obscure 90s movie called Angus, that I can’t get out of my head. It sort of reminds me of Glass by Ellen Hopkins. The song is called Am I Wrong and it’s by Love Spit Love. Basically, there’s just one line that reminds me of the book, “It’s like glass, when we break, I wish no one in my place.” You see, Glass is the sequel to Crank. It is just as powerful as it’s predecessor. As for spoilers, you should probably stop reading right about here, if you have not already read Crank.

Glass by Ellen Hopkins picks right up where Crank ended. Kristina seems like she is about to make a turn around, be a real parent and quit meth. I mean she’s got a son. She wants to make life right. She’s working on her GED. However, Kristina starts to feel fat, and decides to give the monster a whirl, since meth will make her skinny and pretty again. She thinks, oh, I can handle this, just a little bit here and there. That’s the thing though, isn’t it? Kristina is only human, and meth, well it’s incredibly addictive. What ensues is a downward spiral.

I will say, Glass cuts just as badly as Crank. I mean, how can you read these words without your soul clenching? It’s like seeing someone you care about continually make bad decision after bad decision after bad decision. You want to just sit the person down, explain they are being nuts, and please, just stop that.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.

I won’t go much further into depth, as I would ultimately repeat what I said about Crank, the free verse works, it’s emotional, it’s hard hitting, it’s excellent.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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