Summary
You never know how one action (or inaction) on your part will intersect with the other things happening in a person’s life.
Days after Hannah’s suicide, Clay receives a set of audio cassettes. Thirteen stories. Thirteen people who play a part in the circumstances that led to her decision to die.
As Clay listens, and as he follows Hannah’s story to landmarks and houses around town, he remembers his own story with Hannah. He wonders when his story will be on one of the tapes, and wonders what Hannah saw as his role in the choices she made.
Review
Wow. I can’t really say I “liked” this book. The subject matter is dark. The things Hannah does and doesn’t do, the things she endures are sad…. But the story is well-written. It’s engrossing. And I think it’s an important subject.
The format of this is nicely done. Hannah’s recording is conveyed in italics while Clay’s thoughts and reactions are in normal print. There are interludes when Clay interacts with someone in real time which gives the reader a nice break from Hannah’s story once in awhile to let the story sink in. The author notes in the back matter talk about his choices for the format and also give readers suggestions of things to do if the reader or a friend, might be suicidal.
The book covers a lot of things that are familiar worries for teens, or for those who love them – parties, drinking and driving, sexual assault, damaging rumors and reputations, etc. There are so many important things to talk about in this book – for adults as well as for kids.
A moving, challenging book that will stay with you.