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Synopsis:
When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al, has taken his own life, his whole world is torn apart.
AL WAS SPECIAL.
AL WAS TALENTED.
Al had so many dreams... so why did he do it?
Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al's footsteps. As he does, he meets Megan, Al's former classmate, who is as determined as Nathan to keep Al's memory alive.
Together they start seeking answers, but will either of them be able to handle the truth about Al's death when they eventually discover what happened?
An extraordinary novel about loss, love and the importance of speaking up when all you want to do is shut down, from an incredible new talent.
Rating:4.5/5
I had received this book from Jonathan Ball Publishers upon request and I am glad I did. Not only because the cover is so beautiful (and purple) but because it dealt with a subject that I feel is very important. The novel not only covered the topic of suicide but addressed so many more important issues teenagers face in today's world.
The story of Al was one that unfortunately many adolescents go through. It was tragic but inspiring because Danielle Jawando addresses the subject head-on and ensures that the reader understands that there is more than one way out... more than one way to end a problem.
Let me talk about the story first. It began a bit slow at first so I didn't really have high expectations. As I continued to read, however, I started to become more intrigued by what would happen. It was also set in the UK so I the slang was a bit difficult for me to grasp at times but I got used to it as I continued reading.
It was a very original plot and as the story developed, many different social issues were brought up and I feel anyone who read it would at least relate to one of them. I sure did.
The story was very unique in the sense that although we knew how Al's story ended, we didn't know why it did. And it wasn't only a mystery like I Was Here by Gayle Forman, but there was this raw showcase of emotion that I liked. Especially when the emotions that were shown were different for each character.
Nathan, Al's younger brother, was very emotional in the sense that his outlet for his grief was anger. And he was the one who wanted to know why Al did what he did. He was a character I did not really connect with but I definitely felt the pain of the loss he has just gone through.
Each character is so different I think anyone who read it would be able to relate to anyone of them. For me, it was Megan - mostly when it came to her being a teenage girl in a very judgemental society. I quite like that Danielle included this in the story.
The rest of the characters fit in well with the story. The state of some of the characters - Al's family in particular - helps us see what it's like for the family after such a tragic incident occurs.
Danielle Jawando manages to ensure that she kept me reading until the end. Even though you knew in the back of your mind why Al chose that end, you didn't know to what extent it had occurred. It was quite a shock to read the ending and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't shed a few tears.
I would highly recommend this book to ages 15 and above. It does contain some vulgar language so read with caution but it was overall a tale that could help some teenagers, and perhaps even adults, that there is always a light to show you a way out of the darkness.
Don't forget to sprinkle kindness wherever you go :)
-zestasià
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