Bottled Up

June 16, 2003
First-time novelist Murray gives a grimly accurate view of a dysfunctional family as seen through the eyes of 16-year-old Pip, the oldest son. Pip's voice, apathetic at first but growing increasingly fearful and angry, compellingly expresses his difficult struggle to break the cycle of substance abuse and "bottled up" emotions that has created so much turmoil in his life. After sliding through school, cutting classes to smoke pot and ignoring teachers' repeated warnings to shape up, Pip hits a wall when his principal presents an ultimatum: be expelled or enter counseling. Terrified of his alcoholic, often abusive father's reaction to expulsion, Pip agrees to see a therapist without his parents' knowledge. Initially, he has no intention of changing his ways, but having to arrive at sessions clean and sober forces him to take a clear look at the destructive path he is taking. Pip's progress is slow and painful, and readers may become frustrated with his setbacks and apparent disregard for his younger brother, Mikey. As the novel continues, however, positive turning points emerge as Pip reaches out to Mikey and also starts to listen to those who can help them both, namely his counselor, a compassionate English teacher and an honor student who is also in therapy. Murray's expectations for her characters are realistic—for example, she indicates that Pip's home environment has little chance of improving—and the limits she sets lend strength to the message of hope that she ultimately conveys. Ages 12-up.