Originally read in April 2010. Reread December 2012.



"Let’s face it. Mental illness is embarrassing. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t look down on people too ill to hold it together, who cry while looking out the window and don’t bother getting fully dressed before going out. We’d be patient and understanding, instead of letting out our fear and uneasiness with the same kind of jokes we make about funeral directors. But it does make you uneasy."

Narrated by seventeen-year-old Cassie Morgan, this novel follows the downward spiral of Dino Cavelli, her stepfather and a renowned musician/composer, and its effects on her family and his student, Ian, whom she befriends. Cassie discusses frankly the benefits and downfalls of being a child of divorced parents, her mother’s relationship with Dino, and her growing concern over Dino’s instability.

The title of this book refers to a painting of Van Gogh’s which was finished during his most creative period, shortly before his suicide. Cassie makes reference to painters, musicians, composers, and other artistic types who have suffered from mental illness and other disabilities, remarking on the effect that this must have had on their loved ones and others around them. She considers the correlation of artistic skills and drive with the mental instability which she sees in her stepfather, a correlation which is not often addressed in such a skilled manner in teen fiction.

There are a few spelling and grammatical errors which mar the flow of the narrative. Cassie goes through a fairly dramatic change in her feelings towards Dino towards the end of the novel which I read somewhat incredulously. Still, it is a fast-paced read which teen girls will enjoy. ( )

I really like this author based on the following two books. She’s local – living in Issaquah and Seattle. Books are set in Puget Sound region. ( )

A beautifully written and detailed novel that through fiction examines the relationship between artistic genius and levels of imental illness. Indeed, heavy stuff for a YA novel and probably intense for those seeking what currently constitutes some whiny YA relationship novels with their focus on self-esteem and clothing and possessions. Caletti definitly is a skilled writer, bringing to life her ensemble of characters and making them feel true and mostly likeable.

An excellent read. ( )

Cassie Morgan has learned to deal with keeping secrets. Her parents are divorced and she tries to not hurt anyone's feelings by things she learns at each house. Her mother is married to Dino Cavalli a famous violinist and composer. As the book opens he is beginning work on three new pieces and his comeback concert a few months away. Because of this he has stopped taking his medicine and now Cassie finds herself trying to keep in that Dino is acting erractically even for him. At the same time Dino takes on his first student Ian Waters. Ian is working on audition pieces for a full scholarship. Cassie finds herself liking Ian right away, but knows nothing can come of it. This is a young adult book. I liked the way the author brushes on Dino's mental illness, but he wasn't the entire focus of the book. I felt the focus was on Cassie trying to figure out how to deal with all the people and problems in her life. I really enjoyed the book. ( )

Maybe love too is beautiful because it has a wildness that cannot be tamed. I don’t know... All I know is that passion can take you up like a house of cards in a tornado leaving destruction in its wake. Or, it can let you alone because you have built a stone wall against it... set out the armed guards to keep it from touching you. The real trick is to let it in, but to hold on. To understand that the heart is as vast and as wide as the universe. But that we come to know it from here. This place of gravity and stability.

I feel like I’ve just gotten off the Ghost Rider equivalent roll-a-coaster of emotions. You know that feeling, when you get off of that wild ride at the amusement park, and that first moment your feet touch the ground, you sway a bit, look around to grab your bearings, and have that small moment of indecision wondering what possessed you to go on it, elated that you made it through, and wondering if you should take the ride again. All very intense and emotionally gripping to say the least as this book crash collides themes around genius passion, madness, love and self destruction.

I will warn you upfront, this book has highly mixed reviews, but after a string of no hits between me and the author Deb Caletti, I can say with conviction that Wild Roses really moved me and stood out as a book that will hold top rank in my YA shelf.

Cassie Morgan is one of the best narrators I’ve come across in YA in quite a while. She’s honest, snarky, emotional, yet strong and extremely grounded. She lives with her mother and step father, Dino Cavalli, and periodically stays with her dad and grandma, all according to the divorce decree. Life with her mom and Dino is anything but perfect. As a matter of fact, Dino is like a b0mb about to detonate. He is this genius violin player and composer who to the public eye is a grand perfection of brilliance, but behind closed doors is making Cassie’s life a living nightmare. He’s a mentally disturbed, paranoid, depressed, arrogant, self-serving, bully that is on the verge of self destruction. Then, along comes Ian Waters who becomes Dino’s student and Cassie’s love interest and things begin to unravel fast and not in a good way.

This book really took me for a crazy ride. I have so many raw emotions for just about every character in this story. I’m angry at some, sad for others and resolved for the remaining few.

My heart went out to Cassie. She’s extremely loyal to her mom and will stand by her no matter what. I loved her moments of honest revelations, especially when she’d recite a hidden fantasy, mainly about how she’d like to see Dino take a hike. I was so angry with her mother through most of the novel. I felt her primary responsibility was to her daughter and nothing else. For her to stand back and let that arseholian Dino talk to Cassie the way he did was unforgiveable in my eyes. I couldn’t come to forgive the mom or Dino for the hurt they put Cassie through. Man I disliked them both!!

Cassie’s father wasn’t much better IMO either. He knew Dino was a big phat fraud and he did nothing about it but continued to obsess over finding contradicting facts about Dino. I wanted to shake him and yell “Do something you big dummy! She’s your daughter! You have every right to pull her from that home and protect her! Dumb arse!” Oh and don’t even get me started when Cassie’s mom said the dad had no right intervening. Ummm hell to the yeah he did! Both parents should have realized that their daughter was their main priority, above a step-father, above whatever the divorce decree states, above it all!! I was so mad. GRRR!

Not sure I felt much compassion for Ian, and I don’t know why. Maybe his moments in the book were too brief for me to develop any real emotional stance for the guy. I am glad though that he was there for Cassie as much as he could be and their final moments were a real tear jerker.

I’m still perplexed about this whole Itallian village and their willingness to stand behind one man’s lies to such a fervent level that they actually come to believe the lies. Does that really happen? Crazy! Just crazy!

Overall, despite the rocky relationship I’ve had with Deb Caletti’s books, I’m glad I’ve finally found one that hit a home run and moved me. All very well done and highly emotional as it touches on weighty subjects such as divorce, depression, paranoia, insanity, love and loss. Loved it!

Favorite quotes
If your life truths have to be protected like some people keep their couches in plastic then ciao… have a nice life... if we bump into each other at Target, I’m the one buying the sour gummy worms and that’s all you need to know about me.

We don't want you convicted for condiment theft. You go to that prison, you'll meet big-time operators. Maple syrup stealers.

Love seems to be something to approach with caution, as if you'd come across a wrapped box in the middle of the street and have no idea what it contains.

Supposedly there's an actual, researched link between extreme creativity and mental illness, and I believe it because I've seen it with my own eyes.

Song choice: Cassie and Ian
Playlist song: Best is Yet to Come – Red ( )