Clay Jensen receives a package with no return address. When he opens it, he finds seven cassette tapes. Those have been recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate who had committed suicide two weeks ago. He had secretly been in love with her but never had the courage to tell her about it.
In those cassettes, she has stated thirteen reasons for ending her own life and he is one of the reasons. Hannah had even left him a map marking places with dots for him to visit. In a way, she has chronicled her life before she gave it up. He walks out of his home, filches his friend, Tony's walkman and with her voice in his ear; he walks all over the town trying to understand why she took her own life. Every recipient has to pass it on to the next person who is somehow one of the thirteen reasons.
Once started, it is impossible to put it down. Hanna's voice along with Clay's thoughts keeps prodding us on. Why did a teenager kill herself? Why can't her friends see the signs? Why and how did she develop a reputation? Who is responsible for spreading rumours and assuming the worst about a girl who is new to the town and needs friends? For two long years, she tried to fit in. Somehow, she could not cope and killed herself. However, before doing that she recorded her voice, to be sent it all those who were somehow responsible for her extreme step.
After reading this, I kept thinking about it. As teachers, parents and friends we should be able to see the signs. Sometimes, we choose to ignore it. We have hard time accepting someone who is different. Gossip, rumour, malice can damage someone beyond redemption. That is a strong message. Clay's life changes after listening to the tapes. He is shocked to learn about his school mates which include a peeping tom. All the characters have been well developed. We can see Clay and Tony. Others we get to know from the cassettes in Hannah's voice.
Jay Asher has gone into the mind of a teenager and written this very well crafted book. Gripping and haunting. He is one author to watch out for. Once I started, I could not put it down until I finished. It is pegged as a book for young adults. Because of the issue taken in here, every parent and teacher should read this book.
As this book needs to be widely read, I am donating my copy to my school library. To be read by all teacher and students.
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Comments: 16
So, we need to identify and treat mental illness without stigmatizing the friend or family member. This is no guarantee of anything, and treatment of teens is a complex area, especially where drugs are concerned, but drugs aren't the only treatment available.
Importantly, friends, family, acquaintances and schoolmates are not necessarily involved in the actual cause of any events associated with mental illness, tragic or otherwise.
Thank YOU profoundly Gautami
Lupo, I am making my nieces and nephews read it before I donate my copy to my school library. Which I plan on doing next Sat.