Wednesday, 15 April 2009
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I read a book yesterday. This novel wasn't hard to read, in the sense that it's got pretty mainstream vocabulary and it's simply stated. The concept was phenomenal though. Brief summary, ready?
A high school girl named Hannah Baker kills herself. Shortly thereafter, a classmate of hers named Clay Jensen receives a shoebox in the mail containing 7 cassette tapes, each side numbered from 1 to 13 with the back of the seventh tape blank. Clay is shocked to hear Hannah's voice on the cassettes and even more shocked to find out why. Each of the 13 recordings is about a person that was in some way responsible for her death. The recordings are to be sent to each of the 13 people in order, so they can understand what they did, and why Hannah killed herself. What follows is a convoluted tale with many ups and downs as we listen to the stories with Clay, and feel his reaction to each. It's amazing to see how everyone in that small town is so interconnected without knowing it.
I loved the book for several reasons. Jay Asher writes in such a way that you empathize with both Clay and Hannah as the story moves on. He brilliantly portrays the way high school works, and the ways kids can kill one another with everyday actions and words. Although I felt almost helpless while reading the book, and yes, I'm a crybaby so I cried a couple of times, it changes your perspective. People often don't realize how they affect people with their actions and words. Some people have nothing better to do than to make others miserable. I think that anyone who reads this book will reevaluate themselves, however. It's a very well written story that teases you just enough at the beginning that you can't set it down. If anyone has read the book, or if you read it on my recommendation, let me know what you think :)
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Comments (5)
People often have no idea of the impact of words, gestures, down to minute things such as posture and eye contact on others. We all play a part in the lives of all of those around us and have some responsibility in what happens to them, good or bad.
Excellent review Crystal, one needs to take a step back and from time-to-time, reevaluate our lives.
During the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" Clarence reminds George Bailey, "...Strange isn't it? Each mans life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole..."
At the close of the movie, George Bailey open a book left by Clarence and there is an inscription that says, "Remember George, no man is a failure who has friends."
Suicide is a selfish, insensitive act. I've known people that have killed themselves and while one may become sadden by the event, I respectfully disagree "Striemmy" that we may somehow share in the responsibility---I can not be "responsible" for the actions of others, we are though responsible for our own actions and the consequences thereof. We are not all "Victims" because of someones poor judgment decisions.
It is important to remember the "Golden Rule" treating others with respect and dignity is really paramount. How we treat others may influence individual's and their future generations. We each may have an impact on the world and the lives of others, one person at a time.
That interconnection is nigh impossible to see when you're in the midst of it, though. This premise is somewhat reminiscent of Magnolia: show a bunch of intertwined people and how lives are connected in ways we rarely think of. This, however, is about death, whereas Magnolia was about sex.
When in doubt and needing self-affirmation, always be sure to kill your neighbors.
Nothing will make you feel more alive than hearing the wails of their anguished loved ones gnashing their teeth and cursing your very name.
Or if that fails, you could learn some survival skills and pick up some new hobbies.
I think I'm interested. Then again, I pick up just about any book!
Thanks for the brief summary, I'll check it out.
Possibly read it on my plane ride over to Chicago.