Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Summary: Jay Asher's brilliant first novel is a moving, highly original story that focuses on a set of audiotapes made by a girl before she committed suicide, and which explain to 13 people the reasons why she decided to end her life. Told in a highly effective duel narrative -- alternating between the girl s voice and the thoughts of a boy who is listening -- this honest, poignant story reveals how other people's actions shape, and by extension can ruin, an individual's faith in people. Intensely powerful and painfully real, Thirteen Reasons Why reveals how brutal high school can be, the consequences of spreading rumors, and the lasting effects of suicide on those left behind.

Review:
This is one of those books that leave you thinking long after you put it down. The story is just there. From the first page you're wondering what is going to happen next and with each tape you learn more and more about this poor girl who could not find a way out. Did I like the characters? That is so hard to answer. I love Clay. Absolutely. And I felt awful when he got the tapes because he doesn't deserve to be put on the spot like that. Hannah? I'm split on her. Not because she was a bad character. Not at all. I saw so much of myself in her it scared the hell out of me. Not that I didn't already know I was a bit screwed up, but I haven't read this book in years so I haven't had my problems thrust in my face like that for a while. I understand the snowball effect 100%. Hannah is a wonderful character and I will very much miss her. I think everyone should read this book. Now!

5 howls

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