Friday, September 28, 2012

Review of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


 
Synopsis: "Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers."


My Review: The only word I could think of to describe this book after finishing it late at night was traumatizing. This was a traumatizing book to read, but a great book. It was horribly emotional and revealing. We saw the good side of people and the horrible ugly side too. With all the talk of bullies at schools I think Thirteen Reasons Why should be required reading, show the impact of not only bullying but also so called idle rumors. I have read several reviews about this book and there is a lot of talk about how Hannah's reasons for suicide aren't bad enough, but I myself was bullied, teased and the subject of many rumors and can say they hurt far more than expected, they worm deep down inside and hide out, popping their head up at the most inopportune times. While I made it through, not everyone has the support system I had, or the determination or emotional strength to get past it. I think teachers and adults should also have to read this book, I turned to those who are suppose to aid you in times of hurt but only told to get over it or be the bigger person or let it slide off my back; there is a lesson here for everyone.

This was a very emotional book, and it may not be easy for everyone to read but it really shouldn't be with the intense message held within.
 
 
My Rating: This was a difficult book to rate, there is no happy ending, no resolution, it just is and it leaves you feeling empty inside.  So how do you give a great rating to a book that made you feel so bad, except it was a great book written to cause those emotions.  I have to give it a rating of Four Paws!

4 comments:

  1. It was so emotionally traumatizing, but such an important book to read. There's so much you want to say about it when reviewing it, but a lot of it is just something that will be in you forever and you can't express it. I agree--this should be required reading, and definitely for teachers.

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    1. That is exactly how I felt, there was so much I wanted to say but there just weren't the words. Something each person needs to experience themselves I think.

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  2. I've heard good and bad things about this one. I just know I'll have to be in the mood to be depressed when I read it.

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    1. You definitely have to be in the right mood for it, but if you are it is really good. Just be prepared to be emotionally drained.

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