Recently, as I was browsing my local library's website in search of a Book that could whet my appetite, I ran across a book that did just that for me. "Wink, Poppy, Midnight" by April Genevieve Tucholke is a thought-provoking story about three youths with the names - yeah you guessed it - Wink, Poppy and Midnight.
The story is told through the perspectives of all three of our protagonists with the perspective constantly being changed in each chapter. Now this story definitely throws out the main question, "Who is the hero, the villain and the liar?" We know from this question that each character represents either the hero, liar or villain of this story.
We just don't know who is who yet. Or at least, I don't, considering that I have only read thirty chapters out of the total seventy-nine so far.
What really draws me into this elaborate story is not only how well written it is but also how relatable each character is. I want Wink and Midnight to fall in love and have a happy life together and I want Poppy to find happiness as well. I actually find myself caring for these characters. I am also drawn in with the great voice-acting done by Micheal Crouch, Caitlin Davies, and Alicyn Packard. These three wonderful voices push the emotion in each character, thus helping to further the character development throughout the story. Trust me guys, you will not be disappointed with the audiobook.
As for the actual book, you have to decide.
Who are the main characters?
Wink Bell is an interesting girl of sorts. She is the weird girl who lives in a dream world and does as she pleases. She is constantly harassed and ridiculed at school because of how "strange" she is. Some people even go so far as to nickname her "Ferral." I absolutely love Wink who is the best so far in the book because she reminds me of myself in a lot of ways.
Wink is not like other teens her age and she doesn't go with the flow. Wink marches to the beat of her own drums which I absolutely love. But of course, she still has her flaws. I mean, what's a good character without their flaws right?
Midnight is a heartbroken romantic struggling with acceptance and love after his mom up and left him and his dad with his brother Alabama to continue her career as a writer in Paris.
I became interested in his character after finding out he likes to read the classics like "Where the red fern grows." If I wasn't interested before, I was definitely interested in him now.
Poppy is a rich kid with two doctors for parents who have spoiled her all her life, to the point that she expects to get whatever she wants from everyone. Poppy comes off at first as cold-hearted and cruel. But as you continue reading more of the story, especially from her perspective, you find that she wants to be acknowledged as a young adult by everyone, but especially by her parents who only seem to view her with rose colored glasses. Poppy goes as far as manipulating and using Midnight's love for her by having him have sexual relations with her in an attempt to prove to herself that she is not the angel her parents think she is.
Poppy is also in love with one of Wink's violent brothers, Leaf. She refuses to give her heart to anyone else but Leaf.
Currently in the book, Poppy has learned of Midnight's growing affections for Wink and she is not too pleased with it. In fact, she is going to do everything she can to ruin this relationship before she ends up all alone with no one. Leaf already left her and now Midnight too? Oh no, not on Poppy's watch. Honestly, I am excited and nervous to see what Poppy has in store for the young lovebirds. I really hope she doesn't do too much damage. She won't, right? I mean come on, what's the worst she can do?
