Thirteen Reasons Why
A Quick Note:
Hello everybody, my name is Kat, Welcome to another Review! Before I begin, I have a quick disclaimer to announce. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Jay Asher (along with a few other select authors, whose novels will appear in my upcoming reviews) at an event sponsored by Barnes and Noble this previous summer. Jay Asher was incredibly polite, and even signed one of his published works for me. While I am grateful for the privilege to meet this well-known author, this review will be completely honest, as have all of my other reviews. With that in place, i hope you all enjoy this review, and have an excellent summer! -Kat, The book whisperer.
SUMMARY
Thirteen reasons why is the honest, heart-breaking truth of Hannah Baker; and her unanticipated decision to take her own life. Before she parted from the world, Hannah left behind thirteen recorded tapes to make her peace. These tapes were sent to the thirteen individuals who had a hand of forcing Hannah's fate. A fellow recipient by the name of Clay narrates the story; alongside Hannah's lost voice on the mix-tapes. Together, the two voices work in sync to leave an imprint on the generation reading.
REVIEW
Thirteen reasons why earned a five out of five star rating on this blog. The characters, dialogue, and dynamic plot collaborate together to make an unforgettable novel. The past confronts the present in the narration of Hannah's life, and gives a wide-range audience a look on unspoken topics. This novel will be remembered for years to come.
CHARACTERS
Clay rises to his role as the narrator. His personage let the readers see his emotional take on his situation without taking any sentimental aspects from Hannah's story. The same goes for Hannah. Her voice in the story is indistinguishable; even though it was a reminiscent memory from the dark past this story surrounded itself on. Both characters were constant in their deliverance from start to finish; neither flailed in their story-telling capability; even when distress wailed at their feet. The side characters also deserve credibility were credit is due. The minor characters played their roles perfectly. None of them felt overpowering, or insistent. They only arrived in the areas that fit their description. Not one of them fought for a lead role, which made the story run in accordance.
PLOT The plot can be a tricky subject when it comes to writing. In some cases, it can come off as over complicated or downplayed. But not with this novel. The plot dares to be what few other novels venture to become: Honest. The whole entity of the novel is brutally honest; with no sugar-coating to lighten tension. The themes explored in the novel hold nothing back; topics such as suicide and rape were delivered in a direct honesty that few novels choose to undertake. The main theme of the novel was suicide; or Past vs Present. Hannah's tapes taught her fellow colleagues a lesson that could never be taught in anything but dire circumstances.
P.O.V
In reality, the novel shares a perspective with two people. We have the past voice, Hannah's, mixed in with the present, Clay's. The conclusion these two reach show what happens when the two collide, and the hair-staking emotions that directly follow.
WRITING STYLE
It takes extreme care to write about the heavily bound topics discussed in this book. The author must find the line between too far and too safe. But Asher found it with ease in this book. His writing is very smooth in the deliverance of Hannah's decision, and displays a good grasp of the themes discussed in the novel. His talent delivers his directed audience a widely-accepted story to be enjoyed for years to come.
CONCLUSION
Thirteen reasons why is one of the few honest novels available. Hannah's story will serve as an inspiration to the upcoming generation for years to come. I would recommend this novel to anyone into darker contemporary, or to any fans of the Outsiders by S.E Hinton.
