A book where the events, the emotions and the characters
will stay with you for a long time. A book that has made its way into our
must-read list. This YA friends-to-lovers, coming
of age book is definitely amongst the best in its niche. The book primarily deals
with the many negatively detrimental effects of the pressure to conform to the heteronormative
demands of societal expectations and religion.
Hannah and Baker are best friends and also a part of a group
of super-cool, popular kids in high school. The group is tight-knit and fun.
While the bond amongst the six friends is tight, there is something extra
special between Hannah and Baker. The book opens with their closeness which
slowly develops into something more. After their first kiss, Baker panics and
wants to swipe it under the carpet. But the bubbling feelings and attraction
cannot be tamped out. Both the girls and scared, rather petrified, because of
all the “find a nice guy and get married” teachings that they have had plus the
condemnation of homosexuality by their church.
The story is follows Hannah, but the author does an amazing
job in ensuring we know everything about Baker also at all times. In fact, the author has drawn Baker remarkably well. Her characterisation is consistent and desperately fragile. It is hugely
angsty.
The two standout characters in the book are Baker and Joanie. Baker is tortured, traumatized, terrified, tragic and heartbreakingly tender. She shows a depth of emotion that is heart-aching and despite her cowardice in facing her feelings, she is the person we feel the most for. She is the one who jumps out of the pages and wraps herself around your heart. The other person is Joanie. Starting off as a seemingly rather shallow good time girl, Joanie grows to emerge a fiercely loyal and immensely strong character.
Hannah on the other hand leaves us with mixed feelings. We are privy to her struggles throughout but she comes across as a self-involved and self-absorbed. She has a mean streak and an unsettling latent violence. One of the big issues we had was with Hannah’s treatment of Joanie, her younger sister and a part of the group of six. Agreed that Hannah was undergoing her own shit with coming to terms with her sexuality and with Baker running away from her; however, Joanie was also dealing with her own break-up caused by Hannah. Joanie, in fact, comes across as a much stronger and giving person than Hannah. In fact, Hannah’s behaviour with Joanie made us like her less despite her huge, dramatic romantic gestures towards Baker.
The two standout characters in the book are Baker and Joanie. Baker is tortured, traumatized, terrified, tragic and heartbreakingly tender. She shows a depth of emotion that is heart-aching and despite her cowardice in facing her feelings, she is the person we feel the most for. She is the one who jumps out of the pages and wraps herself around your heart. The other person is Joanie. Starting off as a seemingly rather shallow good time girl, Joanie grows to emerge a fiercely loyal and immensely strong character.
Hannah on the other hand leaves us with mixed feelings. We are privy to her struggles throughout but she comes across as a self-involved and self-absorbed. She has a mean streak and an unsettling latent violence. One of the big issues we had was with Hannah’s treatment of Joanie, her younger sister and a part of the group of six. Agreed that Hannah was undergoing her own shit with coming to terms with her sexuality and with Baker running away from her; however, Joanie was also dealing with her own break-up caused by Hannah. Joanie, in fact, comes across as a much stronger and giving person than Hannah. In fact, Hannah’s behaviour with Joanie made us like her less despite her huge, dramatic romantic gestures towards Baker.
We admit that this book completely swept us away. This book is an emotional journey. Heart-wrenching and tear-jerking. But impossible to put down. In fact, we loved it so much that it completely derailed our reading goals...all we could do was read it over and over again for days! Riveting. Guaranteed to
wring tears and joy in you. Do not miss this one.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
