The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
Reviewed by JenniferRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
*This review refers to an Advanced Reader’s Copy. The DUFF will be available September 7, 2010.
Ratings Explanation
Language: VERY frequent use of a wide variety of expletives and crude language. Over 50 uses of the “F-word”. Religious exclamations throughout.
Violence: While drunk, Bianca’s father hits her. Wesley punches her father before he can hit her again.
Sexual Content: Sexually explicit language throughout. Bianca and Wesley engage in a sexual relationship. Numerous and graphic descriptions of their sexual encounters. Bianca was 14 when she lost her virginity. She makes out with another boy, they take their clothes off but are interrupted.
Adult Themes: Bianca’s parents are estranged and Bianca feels like she has to play the role of parent. When her mother sends her father divorce papers, he begins drinking again after 18 years of sobriety. Bianca and Wesley have a very intense sexual relationship at a young age. She feels dirty sleeping with him because she hates him, but continues to do it as a distraction from her problems at home. Parents seem to be completely unaware of teens’ promiscuity. Another high school girl has a pregnancy scare.
Synopsis
“… you, darling, are the duff.”
“Is that even a word?”
“Designated. Ugly. Fat. Friend. No offense, but that would be you.”
Wesley Rush, 17-year-old womanizer, tells Bianca Piper, 17-year-old cynic, that by socializing with the least attractive girl in a group,otherwise known as “the duff”, he doubles his chances of hooking up with the “hot” ones later.
This is the first of several heated exchanges between Bianca and Wesley which eventually lead them into a relationship neither of them expected. Bianca is struggling with her parents and the fallout from their imminent divorce. Wesley seems to have everything in the world, but lacks what he wants most.
Their illicit romance is like a drug for Bianca, numbing her from the escalating difficulties pressing in on her. When Bianca starts to feel something besides loathing for Wesley, she knows she has to put an end to the relationship, even though she has actually started to enjoy the conversations they have. Is it possible that she could actually be falling for Wesley?
On the back of The DUFF advanced reading copy it states “Ages 15 & up”. I have some real concerns about this book being marketed to such a young age group, based on the ratings explanation above.
Bianca uses her sexual relationship as a temporary escape from her family issues. This extremely poor coping mechanism could potentially cause an entirely new set of weighty problems for her. The abundant sexual language and references are not confined to Bianca’s and Wesley’s liaison, they permeate the conversations and commentary throughout the book.
Besides the extreme nature of the content, The Duff was not a particularly engaging story for me. Kody Keplinger does tackle the issue of teenage self-esteem, an important topic without a doubt, but her particular avenue to do so was unappealing to me. By the end of the book, Bianca figures out that looks are not the most important thing, but she’s a pretty smart girl and really knew that all along. I like her observation near the end of the book.
“I was the Duff. And that was a good thing. Because anyone who doesn’t feel like the Duff must not have friends. Every girl feels unattractive sometimes. Why had it taken me so long to figure that out? Why had I been stressing over that dumb word for so long when it was so simple? I should be proud to be the Duff. Proud to have great friends who, in their minds, were my Duffs.”
As an 18-year-old writer, it seems that Kody Keplinger could have benefited from more guidance in matching the content with the intended audience. I am sure that this edgy, raw teenage emotion was instrumental in getting her book published, it is unfortunate, however, that the publisher didn’t exercise more discretion in choosing to represent this book as Young Adult.
I cannot recommend this book for anyone, but if you must read it, be forewarned that the content is extreme, particularly for a YA novel.
August 25th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Wow thanks for the warning! I’ve seen a lot of reveiws on this book and had considered signing up for an ARC tour. Glad I skipped it.
August 26th, 2010 at 5:31 am
I saw the author read an excerpt of this at BookExpo America, and while it may appeal to older high-schoolers, I knew even from the few pages that I heard that I wouldn’t be reading it or recommending it. However, given that it was one of the books featured at BEA, I imagine it will be heavily promoted, so I appreciate your review.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 am
Just finished an ARC and have the same impressions, and concerns, that you express. My biggest issue is that Bianca’s poor choices have no real consequences, resulting in a fairy tale ending. Realistic fiction, especially that which explores teen sexuality, needs to stick to real life. It seems that this is being promoted primarily because of the author’s age. And because of the author’s age, and lack of perspective on high school (and life in general), her story suffers. I can’t recommend this book either.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
From a teenagers point of view I thought that it was pretty good. This book doesn’t summarize our lifestyles, but some of us act differently when we are not with our parents, not in that way, although I’m sure there are some. Most parents don’t realize what their child is really like unless they have a close relationship with each other. I’m 16 and I liked the book. To parents it may seem unapropriate but its a book about a girl trying to distract herself from personal problems. I guess you have to be mature in order to read it.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I am 13 and i dont care that it had cursing or sex. If you think about it this book is really good and you can’t put it down. Books are not supposed to be judged and criticized by every small detail, it is supposed to entertain you, and that’s what this book did. But, for adults, they just dont want to admit that the book was good because they want seem like good parents or role models. If you read this and wont say you like it, reality is going to catch up with you and your going to realize its good, just like Bianca in the book.
April 21st, 2011 at 9:43 pm
As a mother I do admit that children should not be exposed to sexual content but that does not mean we shouldn’t talk to them about it, and I do not recomend this book to anyone under the age of thirteen, but I do think that it is a good book.My duaghter read it and she is only fourteen,she liked the book but I explained to her that it was fiction and that their could have been different consequences with Bianca’s decisions if it were real life. I belive its healthy to discuss these things with our children so that they my know the consequences of their actions before time.
August 4th, 2011 at 2:15 am
i’m fifteen, and i LOVED this book. i teared through it. bianca’s somewhat cynical mindset was occasionally ah, well too much honestly, but it provided this really real, relatable read that taught me something.
i mean YA books are meant to be entertaining obviously, but why i love reading these books is because it offers an option to teens who aren’t fortunate enough to have awesome parents around to talk them through teen shit. so they read to learn. luckily, my parents are the best…..so i don’t worry much.
but on the other hand, i can definitely see why a mother might oppose to her child reading something like THE DUFF. i mean yeah, there’s a ton of sex and swearing. even my mom goes kinda goes ape-shit on this stuff..
i disagree with you, though. i recommend this book to the world. but i want to say thanks for taking the ya genre seriously. so many adults don’t, but you do. it’s really cool of you to allow stricter parents certain reassurances through your reviews so that maybe their kids can experience this all too.