Saturday, February 11, 2012

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: October 13th, 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 288
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Bought
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

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.

Suicide has always been a delicate subject for me. For a long time throughout my early teenage years and well into high school I was Hannah. I knew what she felt, I knew what it was like to be standing by yourself, I knew what it was like to be bullied, and I could feel everything that Hannah felt.

It sucks sometimes to have these feelings like there's no more hope, there's no more happiness, there's no way to get away from this pain. And it sucks worse when it leads a person to commit a permanent act like suicide.

As Clay goes through the night of listening to Hannah, as he walks in her footsteps for one night, a new world opens up for him. And the question always remains Why? But sometimes there aren't any clear answers. Sometimes there just isn't a reason and as much as people hate that fact, it is what it is.

The character's in this world felt alive and for some of them it was like a new imprint was made on them as one by one they discovered there names on the list. Sometimes people just don't want to know the pain that the caused a person; ignorance is bliss, correct? But Hannah somehow got into their minds and hearts and through the working of Asher's tale that can grip anyone's heart forced them to confront their faults.

Asher wove a tale together that will be both memorable and haunting. This book has made me see the world through different eyes and I think anyone, especially those who feel like Hannah's path is the one for them, should read this book. I don't think anyone is selfish for choosing this road, but I do think that they need to honestly consider the aftermath of their act before turning to it.

This is a book for anyone and everyone to read.

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