I originally read "Thirteen Reasons Why" when it was released in '07, and was absolutely blown away by both the novel AND the then debut novelist, Mr. Jay Asher. Thus, I immiately added it to my mental librarian list of guaranteed great reads and I've been happily "pushing" it on high school students ever since (not, mind you, that it's required a lot of convincing on my part because the book sells itself) so it was interesting to revisit with that in mind. I wondered, would I love it still...???
In a word, yes. As many of you have already pointed out, there is simply so much here that's subject to analysis, interpretation, and discussion: bullying and ostracization, rape and sexual assault, depression and alienation, love and friendship (or lack thereof), suicide vs. staying alive...the list is virtually endless, which is likely the reasons we find it taught so often in school and on so many community reads lists. It's just one of those books -- a book that can get a community talking (no censorship here!)
which is one of the many reasons (rich character development being another -- for how can we fail to fall in love with both Clay and Hannah?) that I too continue to consider this is amazing teen read.
That said, I did fail to enjoy the story as much this second time around -- I found it far more painful. I would, of course, prefer to think that this is simply a result of having garnered a little wisdom these last few years, but...I have an inkling that back then I was just really into the mystery component of Clay's search (and able to force myself to focus on that in order to avoid the agony). Today, not so much, as it was Hannah who snagged my soul, and I found I could not escape her pain. It's a beautifully rendered story, but dang if it doesn't break your heart.
<In case your interested, this is one of the rare reads where one could justifiably argue that is actually better on audio, and I think it would be wonderful to incorporate a few snippets into a lesson plan.>
I love love LOVE you last comment in this post. I was just discussing this idea with my cousin (who just graduate from high school last week). She had recently read this book and said that she wanted to revisit it as an audio book. I think it could be incredible.
ReplyDeleteI also agree WHOLE HEARTEDLY with your comments on the feeling Hannah's pain. Even this first time through (I just finished it this morning) I struggled quite a bit with it; especially during Clay's story. I felt nauseous throughout it. And I wanted to scream and/or hit things during her visit with her English teacher/guidance counselor. While I will be happy to suggest it all over the place, I don't think that I could reread it. It would be too much.
Also, I don't know what my issue is today, but I've typed you instead of your several times today in comments. Ooops?
ReplyDeleteNo worries! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been intrigued by this book [cover] for a number of years, but had not had the opportunity to check it out to actually read it so I was excited to finally have the excuse to do so without guilt. I don't think that I'd actually ever read the inside flap to see what it was really about though so was jolted when I learned it was about suicide. It is full of all the subjects that you list and that is what makes this so powerful. I too do not know if I would reread this novel, although I'd recommend it to others. If I had read this novel a couple of years ago I don't think it would have had as strong of an impact on me. Life events have accumulated to give this books an extra meaning in context. The mystery of Clay's appearance on the tapes and the wonder on who is on the others that keeps us reading through the 'agony' as you put it. I do have a slight inclination that it neglects depression in this novel, which is often (in my mind it might not really be true) a factor in suicides. Hannah is a deeply upset individual who suffers from vicious rumors with the resulting domino effects and actions. I don't think that she appears to deal with symptoms of recurring depression though, which is an issue that is often neglected to be talked about same as depression. But if Hannah did suffer from depression we would be more likely to accept that she could let the 'small things' make her commit suicide because "that's what depressed people do". That was a bit more of a rant than I thought it'd be, but there are my thoughts of the moment.
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