Plot Summary

The Tragedy Paper

Elizabeth LaBan
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The Tragedy Paper

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

Book Brief

Elizabeth LaBan

The Tragedy Paper

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

312

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2013

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

HL740L

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Super Short Summary

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan centers on Tim Macbeth, a seventeen-year-old albino who starts attending Irving School, where he forms a secret relationship with Vanessa Sheller, the girlfriend of a popular student. Told from Tim and Duncan's perspectives, Duncan uncovers Tim's past through CDs left in his room, integrating themes of forbidden love and secrecy as school traditions unfold alongside their intertwined narratives. This book includes themes of endangerment and significant emotional challenges.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

9,188 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Elizabeth LaBan's The Tragedy Paper captivates with a dual narrative that intertwines past and present, offering a compelling exploration of love and regret. Praised for its well-developed characters and emotional depth, some critics find the pacing uneven and the resolution predictable. Despite these minor flaws, the novel's rich storytelling resonates powerfully.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Tragedy Paper?

Readers who relish tragic coming-of-age stories with academic settings will enjoy Elizabeth LaBan's The Tragedy Paper. Comparable to John Green’s Looking for Alaska and Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why, this novel captivates those who appreciate emotional depth, intricate relationships, and introspective narratives.

4.0

9,188 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

312

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2013

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

HL740L

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