Lock and Key

Lock and Key
by Sarah Dessen

Summary

 Ruby, where is your mother?

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future; it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give? 

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.

My Review

I’ve been hearing a lot about Sarah Dessen’s books for quite a while now, and the good reviews got me really interested. I had little spare time to read, so when a satellite library was set up at our school and someone brought in Lock and Key, I jumped at the opportunity to take it. Our reading sessions were only about ten minutes each, though, so I decided to bring it home instead. All I can say is that I’m really glad I chose to read this book, because it’s absolutely beautiful. 

I love Ruby’s character; she has experienced so many things in her life. It’s moving how much she loves and cares for her mom despite the parental neglect she received in return. Although Ruby started off always dwelling on the past and being stubbornly individualistic, she was able to realize things for herself in the end and change for the better. She learned that there’s nothing wrong with relying on others. She realized the importance there is in family, and how that bond goes far deeper than just blood. Amongst all that, what I found really amazing about her was how she ended up being the one to help others avoid experiencing all the pain she had. It’s the sweetest form of love, and I admire her so much for it. 

The character development was excellent, and you will find yourself caring for them in spite of their being fictional. I was able to understand that even though there are always going to be a lot of locks and not enough keys, it remains up to us to break those locks and free ourselves from our boundaries. This is definitely a book that would appeal to those who like contemporary and young adult novels.

Quotes I Like

“It's a lot easier to be lost than found. It's the reason we're always searching and rarely discovered--so many locks not enough keys.” 

“What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn't just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger. We had many families over time. Our family of origin, the family we created, and the groups you moved through while all of this was happening: friends, lovers, sometimes even strangers. None of them perfect, and we couldn't expect them to be. You can't make any one person your world. The trick was to take what each could give you and build your world from it.” 

“Family isn’t something that’s supposed to be static, or set. People marry in, divorce out. They’re born, they die. It’s always evolving, turning into something else.” 

“Everyone has their weak spot. The one thing that, despite your best efforts, will always bring you to your knees, regardless of how strong you are otherwise.” 

“My point is, there are a lot of people in the world. No one ever sees everything the same way you do; it just doesn't happen. So when you find one person who gets a couple of things, especially if they're important ones... you might as well hold on to them. You know?”