Book Reviews

review; thirteen reasons why

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Thirteen Reasons Why
by Jay Asher

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.

Review:

I read this book a couple of years ago, way before I had this blog – and never truly got over it. I had seen a couple of fanmade videos on YouTube about the novel, and so I knew going in that it would be filled with angst and emotions, but I did not quite expect what I got.

What I got? Was an emotional roller coaster that I could not put down. (No, seriousy, I started it the night I borrowed it from the library and slept at 4 in the morning because I just COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN.)

An idiot had defaced the first page of the book with spoilers – boy was I upset – but truly, even knowing every detail going into the book does not detract from the feelings of loss and confusion and fear and anger and everything Clay goes through.

Through Clay’s eyes and Hannah’s tale, we get a sense of just how much one person can be affected by the little things we do not think matter so much. It is not something I can put into words, but it was a book that touched me deeply, and I will never get over it.

I’m Ara, a Southeast Asian writer who someday hopes to have published a novel, and who is currently losing herself in the worlds created by others. I love books and food and television and blogging and I get distracted and sidetracked easily.

2 Comments

  • Ali

    Just reading the synopsis I get all sorts of chills. This book sounds really powerful. Is it a tear-jerker, or just really intense?
    ALSO: WTF to whoever wrote spoilers in the beginning of the book!!??!? That makes me SO ANGRY.

    • Ara

      I found it really intense. I think I almost cried at a few points? But mostly just – super intense.
      I KNOW RIGHT??? I was SO MAD. I still get mad just thinking about it.

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