Thirteen Reasons Why

Very good book about suicide and why some people do it. It explains the state of mind of some people when they think they don't any other way especially teenagers. Worth the read.

I'm assuming that not having a whole lot of insight into Hannah's character was sort of the point of this book, and I get that, but it made it hard to get into. Especially since all we end up knowing about Clay is that he is apparently one of only two decent people in the entire high school (both guys, just saying), and he lives somewhere that there are both buses and it's totally safe for 17 year olds to wander around at night. I get the intent behind the ending, but ... ugh.

Slightly depressed on the day after Christmas, I read this on the recommendation of my sister. From the first pages, I was absolutely hooked. The storytelling style of this piece is excellent in its originality. My eyes were glued to the pages as Hannah started telling the story of her cycle into the suicidal depression that led to her death. This is a dark book, folks, and it was just what my post-Christmas melancholy self needed.

Parts of the book annoyed me, like most of Clay's narration. Intellectually, I know Clay's parts were important to the plot, but emotionally, I just wanted to find out what happened, and he kept stopping the progress of the cassette tapes! I also didn't like the fact that Clay didn't really do anything to deserve inclusion on Hannah's cause-of-suicide list.

For me, and from what I have seen on other reviews, this was a quick read, though beware, it's not light and fluffy.

Good, good book. A must read for teens and adults alike. You can read my full review here: http://knowitnotsomuch.blogspot.com/2011/09/th1rteen-r3asons-why.html

It didn't take me very long to read this book, I think probably 2 or 3 days. I need to digest it before I even begin to attempt to write a review. First thoughts – great YA/teen book! In many ways, I wish this book had been around when I was teen. I will write a review in the coming days, I feel like there are some parts I need to reread before I sit down and write about this book. I loved it though, I can definitely say that and the subject matter isn't exactly one that leaves you with a “warm and fuzzy” feeling. Stay tuned...

Originally posted to Red Adept Reviews.

Overall: 3 1/2 stars

Plot/Storyline: 3 3/4 stars

It???s a great idea, right? So cool of a concept that I read the article and purchased the book as soon as I could. I love the concept, but am a little less enamored when it comes to the execution of the story and to matters of characterization.

As far as it goes, I think it???s a helpful book for teens. Any story that preaches that bullying and casual cruelties have consequences is a needed message. The issue becomes what responsibility Hannah has for her choice and if the punishment fits the crimes. If nothing else, the discussions it opens up will be interesting.

Hannah says to these people that what they did lead to what she did and, by implication, they should carry the guilt of that. I suspect most readers will think that in the case of one or two of the people they should have to live with and struggle with that. However, some of the people were rude, or ignorant, or mean, or even casually cruel, but it???s arguable if it???s fair to expect them to carry the burden of Hannah???s decision ??? particularly in the case of a girl who was a victim herself or a guidance counselor whom she only met one time and set up for failure.

While the premise is good, I couldn???t help but think that it needed to take two paths ??? one of benevolence and education toward people who could not have known or one of anger toward people who were truly reprehensible. The difficulty is her anger toward both groups as if their ???sins??? were equal. Ultimately, this choice will put some readers in the uncomfortable position of realizing they dislike, or disapprove of, a girl who took her own life.

There was also the small detail that she threatened that if people didn???t listen and pass it on that another party would make sure that the tapes got out ??? but I can???t imagine that the adult recipient wouldn???t contact the authorities based on details in the tape. I also can???t imagine Hannah not knowing that.

Lastly, the reason why Clay was on the list seemed too easy, a bit off a cop-out, even a cheat, since ??? without saying more ??? he stood alone. This removed some of the power I might have felt.

Characters: 3 1/4 stars

There are two main characters here. Hannah and Clay. We meet the other characters who have received or will receive the take, sometimes during the course of Clay???s travels around town as he listens, but mostly through Hannah???s narration. As mentioned, when she speaks we also read Clay???s reactions to her words. Clay is pretty likable character. Some of the other characters are villainous. Others seem like kids making stupid mistakes.

I believe that we were supposed to see Clay as someone who could have saved her, if only he was more confident, if only he had listened to rumors less. For once, I don???t think Hannah put the burden on someone else so much as Clay felt understandable guilt at not reaching out to her sooner. (Understandable in the sense of it being a natural reaction, not in the sense of being justified.)

As mentioned, I had complex feelings toward Hannah. Obviously there???s built in sympathy for her, but it was hard to read her deliberate cruelty toward others. Suicide can sometimes be a very angry act, a way to punish others for real or perceived grievances, and the choice can be made for what seems to the outside world to be petty, but feels like the weight of the world to the person in question. Understanding all of this doesn???t change the fact that Hannah comes across as vindictive and looking for scapegoats.

I don???t get the feeling I was supposed to agree with Hannah completely, but I do get the impression I wasn???t supposed to be as irritated with her as much as I was, which was about 60% of the time. While teens are self-involved and this one was in a bad place, she was surprisingly difficult to root for in her efforts and I ??? yeah, I???m going to hell ??? never felt particularly saddened that the girl speaking had shuffled off this mortal coil. The inherent poignancy of the story she was telling couldn???t always rise above what seemed to be a need to punish. Think of Carrie, without the supernatural stuff, with 100% less pig???s blood, and with more time on her hands and a tape recorder.

On the plus side, there were a fair amount of minor characters, and the author did a pretty good job with them. I felt like I knew them.

Writing Style: 3 3/4 stars

Several nice moments, but in many ways this felt like a first book. This book called for a balance between Hannah???s telling her story and Clay reacting and also moving around town as he listened, and it never felt like the author quite worked out the right ratio. Many of the descriptions were good, places were described vividly in several cases, but at other moments it all felt a little flat.

I... I'm not quite sure how I feel. I read it quite quickly. I liked it, but I feel like it was missing something. It has very dark, sad subject matter, but I loved the last book I read (Love Is the Higher Law) and it had sad subject matter as well. The difference between these two books, though, is that I finished Love Is the Higher Law - and even It's Kind of a Funny Story, which is also about a suicidal teen - feeling uplifted, and I finished this feeling like I just read a good story, but emotionally deflated. I suppose that's fitting though. It's real.

I am a better person for having read this book, which I devoured in less than 24 hours during the work week.

Loved the concept and, yes, even the interchanging narrators. I know, some got stuck on the two but I loved that and thought it was different. I did get mixed up a bit at first but I got used it soon enough and learned to like it. I wasn't too thrilled with the ending. I wanted to know more about Hannah and her family, her parents, what the other kids thought as they heard their names but now that I think of it I'm probably just wanting more like most friends and family feel after losing a loved one.
I thought it was a great read and a wonderful debut novel for Mr. Asher!

Ohh I guess this was pretty good. The book's whole premise–that a girl left this elaborate set of cassette tapes for the people who she blamed for her death before she committed suicide–just didn't feel true to me, so I had trouble getting into it. When I managed to set that aside, the tapes are pretty compelling.

Eh. Felt a little too forced and overdramatic, but that's probably becaue I'm not a teenager myself (thankfully!). I do still think it was interesting and know quite a few kids I would recommend it to.

Although I know it could never happen (too many parents wanting to shield their children), I think this book should be read by every teen out there. Yup, every single one.

With Clay as a guide, we find our way through Hannah's life and the reasons why she ultimately decided to end it all. Meeting Hannah through her cassette tapes was so heart wrenching. The raw emotion that emanates off these pages, both from Clay's point of view and Hannah's, is so beautiful and difficult at the same time.

I found myself so angry at Hannah for her choice, but also so angry at everyone else the story revolves around. It only takes one person, just one, to reach out. This story creates a need for each person who reads it to look deep down into their past and come to terms with what led you to this point. What has shaped you, to be you?

I'm sure this review is a bit broken and confusing, but only because that is how I feel after reading this book. Five stars without a doubt.

This book will change the way you look at things...

Ok, I loved this book,not lurrvveeed, just loved. But it was kind of disturbing to me because the thoughts that she was having about how she would commit suicide, mirrored the ones my sister told me she'd been having (and none of you make any comments about my sister)