Wednesday, June 10, 2009

~Book Review~ Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


From the back cover: Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her. Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes--and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death. All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town....and what he discovers changes his life forever.

I read this book in one sitting. I started it last night while I was making dinner and was up later than my usual 9:00pm bedtime because I just had to finish it. It is that good.

Hannah Baker can't take it anymore. Her life, in general, has been altered forever by one stupid rumor started by one stupid person when they were in the 10th grade. From that one rumor, there came other rumors plus many more, and poor Hannah never stands a chance to redeem herself. She holds 13 people responsible for her decision to kill herself. She records 13 audio tapes, describing each person and how they were linked to her and her fateful decision.

This book should be required reading for teens. I think every one of us who has read this book could relate to Hannah on some personal level. I know that I did. I felt her anger, shame, sadness and hopelessness. It was frustrating to hear her reaching out for help---and never receiving any. Poor Clay--he would have helped her, if only she had asked him. They were friends, but there was more there -- Hannah wouldn't let him in. Although Clay blames himself for Hannah's death, she reassures him on the tapes that he is not to blame.

"Clay, honey, your name does not belong on this list. You don't belong the same way as the others. One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn't belong. And that's you, Clay. But you need to be here if I'm going to tell my story. To tell it more completely". (pg 200)

One by one, Clay listens to all thirteen tapes in one evening, while walking his neighborhood, following a map that Hannah slipped into his locker only days before her suicide. The map highlights places where things happened to Hannah that she can not forget. She doesn't want the 13 people on her tape to forget, either.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time....I will never forget it.

Four Stars
Publisher: Razorbill
ISBN-13: 978-1595141712

5 comments:

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It sounds like an interesting conceopt for a book -- sort of like a reverse "Five People You Meet In Heaven." Teens have so much anxiety about fitting in.

Bee said...

This sounds like a really good read, I am going to see whether they have this in the library, I have had a little break from reading lately, I read so much that I kind of burnt myself out with the reading ( if you know what I mean )Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog, I am going to join Twitter now, though I don't really understand it. I will put a post on my blog when I have and thank you for letting me know about the author who is looking for the bookmarks. Your blog is looking lovely by the way!
Big Hugs, Bethxx

serendipity_viv said...

This definitely sounds like a book I would read. I loved the description - including someone in the reason why she died but not saying why. Very intriguing.

Darlene said...

I like a book that stays with me when I turn the last page. I've heard so much about this one and I think I had mentioned to you that I've had it out from the library twice already. I'm going to have to try a third time. Really nice review Missy.

MonieG said...

This one is on my wish list. Thanks for the review!

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