Author: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill, 304 pages
Copyright: 2007
Summary:
Plot: Hannah Baker sends thirteen audiotapes to thirteen people before she dies. Who are they? What did Hannah say?
Major Characters: Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen
Major Subjects: Suicide, Suspense, Relationships, Romance, Realistic Fiction
VOYA Review:
Listening to the audio cassettes found propped against his front door, Clay is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah, who killed herself two weeks earlier. On the tapes, Hannah explains why she committed suicide and how the thirteen people named in the tapes contributed to her decision to end her life. Clay learns that he is among those named. High school senior Clay is the novel's main narrator, but the story belongs to Hannah. She describes in an authentic, if overly self-aware, voice how slights and misunderstandings snowballed until she could no longer cope. Hannah's reputation is questioned, her parents are distracted by financial problems, her friends use her, and when she reaches out for help, no one steps forward. Readers will immediately identify with Hannah's experiences in high school society. From Hannah, readers realize the impact of thoughtless actions and comments. As Clay finishes Hannah's story, he becomes more perceptive and sensitive to others. Teens will embrace Asher's debut novel because it is not condescending or preachy. Sex and drugs are plot elements but are not graphically described. Short sentences make it a quick, smooth read, yet there is depth to the novel. This provocative tale touches on universal topics of interest, is genuine in its message, and would be a good choice for high school book discussions and booktalks. The attractive cover art is aimed at female readers. But because the content appeals to both genders, more readers would be drawn to the book if it featured Clay on the cover. Reviewer: Judy Sasges
Review:
Engrossing, suspenseful, and chilling, Jay Asher does an amazing job with his first book. Hannah Baker commits suicide and sends thirteen audiotapes to people who she blamed for her death. The story is so well-written that even though Hannah's motives in making the tapes is unclear and that the belief that her self-pity is unwarranted, Asher proves that he is capable of executing a plot well.
The book begins with Hannah's friend, Clay. He receives a package in the mail with audiotapes narrated by Hannah because, evidently, he is one of the thirteen reasons she committed suicide. As he wanders through town visiting the monumental spots in Hannah's life, he listens to the tapes waiting for the one that accuses him.
I didn't sympathize with Hannah. From the get go, I wanted to pity the wrongs done her. But, she started off the tapes laughing, taking her impending suicide as a joke, which came off as spite. I know Asher did this to show a character arc of someone who was fun and outgoing until the stupid cruelties of teenagers destroyed her, but where she started these tapes after she decided to kill herself, the humor is jarring. We only get depressed Hannah on the tapes and the outgoing Hannah through Clay's memories. And we don't even see the transition from happy to ruined, only the word of Clay that she changed. I wanted to see it in Hannah's story.
However, I think that a lot of teens will be drawn in by Hannah's story, and will relate to the way that the types of misunderstanding and the wanton, petty cruelty of high school can pile up on people. The voices -- both Clay's and Hannah's -- are authentic and painfully believable. The book carries a familiar message that "you never know how you affect the people around you, so pay attention!" , but presents it in a unique, convincing, and direct way.
I understand that the point is that we never know how our deeds affect those around us--even the smallest cruelty can destroy someone--but where Hannah had the chance to show us how these thirteen faults add up to something, I expected more connecting the dots. In the end, I think that it is a plus that Hannah isn't portrayed as a victim but fleshed out to both good and bad, similar to the character Valerie in Hate List. It doesn't make suicide the natural answer. After all was said and done, the message of the novel was positive and the novel itself, well-written. Pick up the audiobook if you have a choice.
Reading Level: Intermediate
Notes about Audience: Mature readers, ages 15 and up.
Thirteen Reasons Why is Jay Asher's first book. Visit his website at:
You might also enjoy:
Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks
Cut by Patricia McCormick
Stay With Me by Garrett Freymann-Weyr
The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon
No comments:
Post a Comment