Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a story of what’s and why’s. Why me? And what could I have done differently?
Clay comes home from school one day to find a package on his porch. Yay for packages! How exciting. It doesn’t say who it’s from, so he excitedly rips into it. Inside are thirteen cassette tapes. Weird. Who even uses cassette tapes anymore? After hunting a player down (harder than it would seem), he puts the first tape in. He’s shocked to hear the voice of Hannah Baker, a girl at school who had just committed suicide.
At the beginning of the tapes, Hannah explains that each tape represents a person. On each tape she will explain what that particular person did to help contribute to her suicide. Having received the tapes in the first place, Clay is obviously distraught, but to consider that his actions, unknowingly to him, played a role in her suicide is simply too much. As he listens to each tape, he learns more than he wants to know about his fellow classmates, but it’s with fear and trepidation that he knows the next tape could very well be him.
Thirteen Reasons Why is thought provoking and is the type of book that brings up a lot of discussion points. It’s the little things that we do that may seem like a huge deal to somebody else. Harmless gossip is not really harmless at all. But in the end, are we really responsible for somebody else’s actions?
Why did Hannah place the blame on others, especially when she had so many opportunities to reach out and get help? Who’s really responsible for the suicide? Hannah? Or the people listed on the tapes? I’m one to say that the suicide was ultimately Hannah’s decision. She obviously carried it out and I don’t think that it’s fair for the others to be held responsible for an action that wasn’t theirs. But what of the ripple effects? The little things that one does to wound the character of another. To so deeply affect them that they aren’t able to shake it. And what’s worse, to not even realize it. Thirteen Reasons Why makes us sit back and think before we talk or act.
Thirteen Reasons Why is told from the viewpoint of Clay as he listens to the tapes and alternates with Hannah’s side of the story on the tapes. I couldn’t help but think about the book Skeleton Creek which alternates between written text and videos that the reader watches online to get the whole story. I wonder how Thirteen Reasons Why would be in a similar format. The written text as Clay’s point of view and Hannah’s told not in written word, as it is now, but rather in audio. Wouldn’t that be cool? A book told in audio and text? This is the type of book that I think would be perfect for such a technique and would immerse the reader further into the story.
There was one small thing that bothered me throughout the book and I don’t know why I narrow in on it so specifically. When Clay received the tapes and realizes they are from Hannah, he wonders why she would send them to him. He thinks something along the lines of “Oh, the girl at school who committed suicide. Hannah and I hardly know each other. We are just acquaintances.” I would quote the line but I don’t have the book in my possession but this was the feeling that I got when reading it. Later in the book, we learn that Hannah and Clay had not only made out together at a party, but had had a heart-to-heart in depth conversation, which makes it more than just a “that girl” and “we hardly know each other.” I suppose that thinking that they didn’t know each other, I was surprised by the unfolding story where they did know each other. Although I’m sure I’m the only reader who feels this way, I don’t think the story was set up quite right because their relationship was not as explained.
I never felt sorry for Hannah, which as the character who killed herself because she felt bullied at school, I suppose I should have. She was not likable to me. There were so many times that she thought, “well, if this is what people think I’m already like, there is nothing I can do about it and I might as well act the part,” which is an attitude that made me want to throw the book across the room. But I think that’s probably the point. As a reader, I was so frustrated with her thought process that I’m sure that the people who found themselves the topic of each tape probably felt the same way. In retrospect, they wish that she had acted differently, thought differently, but there was nothing that they could do about it.
Thirteen Reasons Why is a great book for teens and adults that takes a good hard look at teens bullying teens, the warning signs of suicide, and suicide itself. As I read this book for book club it also makes for a great discussion. While it frustrated me to no end, I do think it’s worth the read and recommend it.
Links of interest: Jay Asher website and blog. More blogger reviews of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: Razorbill. October 18, 2007
Hardcover, 320 pages. 320 pages.
Thirteen Reasons Why is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powells, and Amazon.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Young Adult
Tags: A-D Author, Q-T Title, suicide
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I have been thinking of reading this due to all the buzz on whether this book is an appropriate read or not. Still not sure if I want to bother after reading your review.
I think the boy had a normal boy reaction that she is just some girl, making out and conversation doesn’t really make a boy feel very meaningful about a person I would say.
Seems good to read about the bullying and warning signs though. Still just can’t make up my mind. I would probably pick it up if it was in the format you suggest of reading from him and audio from her.
on July 15th, 2009 at 9:14 amYes, I like your mixed-media suggestion, too. The two viewpoints make me think of reading Flipped, by Van Draanen. And Pam has a point about how dense teenage guys can be when it comes to feelings.
on July 15th, 2009 at 9:19 amI listened to it on CD and I thought it worked really well in that format, since they had two different narrators.
I know this book isn’t for everyone, but I was just completely gripped by it.
on July 15th, 2009 at 9:43 amGood review! I’ve read about this book before and am definitely interested in reading it, however I think I may have the same issues with it that you did.
I also like your mixed media idea. I think it could add another level to a book, esp one like this. Similarly, it could also make it kinda creepy!
on July 15th, 2009 at 9:57 amI just saw this in our library (or was it Wal-Mart?) the other day. I didn’t know anything about it and so I walked on. It sounds rather interesting, so I’ll have to grab it next time. I think I’d love to get the audio version and read along, though.
The only thing that bugs me about it all is that Hannah took all that time to make the tapes then send them. I don’t know that I really buy that. It’s an interesting plot device, but someone distraught enough to do themselves in being that focused and organized?
on July 15th, 2009 at 10:27 amI’ve heard good things about this book. I can see how that one tidbit would bug you, but maybe that went to show that he didn’t think much of the time that they talked and made out. boys!
on July 15th, 2009 at 10:36 amI found this one sort of fascinating, and I definitely thought it was a well-written book. I too was frustrated with Hannah… I just don’t get the suicide impulse thing. I was bulled in high school, and I know the feeling of being so upset and angry and hopeless with one’s peers, but to kill myself? Something I never could understand. I’m glad you enjoyed the book, even though parts frustrated you.
on July 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pmI read this book within the last couple months and thought it was really well-written! I was seeing it around the blogosphere and thought that the idea behind it was appealing, if a bit depressing. I think the author did a very good job dealing with a difficult subject matter.
on July 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pmI really want to read this book, especially after your review, though something about it does make me feel a little uneasy.
The mixed media thing would be pretty cool.. imagine the possibilities.
on July 15th, 2009 at 1:48 pmI felt a little mis-led by the beginning, too. Then later, he was so melodramatically upset by some of the things she said on the tape, which didn’t quite wash with me either.
It bugged me when I read it that she wasn’t a more sympathetic character, but after the book had settled (for like a year!) it made sense to me why he did it that way. It’s definitely a book that sticks with you, and I think for that reason alone it’s worth reading.
on July 15th, 2009 at 1:55 pmSounds like a thought-provoking, compelling read.
on July 15th, 2009 at 2:11 pmWhat I liked most was the author’s unique style in the format, just like Skeleton Creek had the unique presentation. I think you’re right, though – if there was audio for the tape recordings that would have been even more enticing.
on July 15th, 2009 at 3:34 pmOk…Two things ~ One is I nominated you for a little blogger award on my blog. http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/2009/07/splattered-beauty-by-brandon-ford.html
And second, I LOVED this book and I think your suggestion is AMAZING!
xoxo Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)
on July 15th, 2009 at 4:50 pmI’ve read a number of reviews on this book, and with kids on the brink of teendom, it scares the living hell out of me. I need to probably read it though. Required reading for mothers, I guess.
on July 15th, 2009 at 5:28 pmI haven’t read it yet, but it sounds to me like Hannah’s thought process is very much like most of the girls of that age that I know. I’ve got a 14-year-old and their thinking at this age often makes no sense.
on July 15th, 2009 at 8:55 pmThis is always a hard topic to read, but one that we cannot ignore. I appreciate your thoughts on this one! And, mixed media is so intriguing to me!! I think it could really reach a greater audience by hitting those that may not be able to simply sit down and focus on reading.
Oh, and by the way, I’m passing an award on to you! Check it out: http://tiftalksbooks.blogspot.com/2009/07/kreative-blogger-award.html
on July 15th, 2009 at 11:34 pmI’ve heard such good things about this book! Interesting review, especially your comment about how the relationship was set up. I’ll be looking out for that when I read it.
on July 16th, 2009 at 2:09 amIt certainly was a thought-provoking book and each reader will have a different take on Hannah and different sympathies. I listened to and read this book at the same time. It was powerful to hear the tapes just as Clay would have.
This novel prompted a long and fruitful discussion at our book club meeting.
on July 16th, 2009 at 5:51 amI had never heard of this book but enjoyed your review of it Natasha. As I read this I was reminded of We Need To Talk About Kevin by Linel Shriver and also Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, mainly because of the topic of how words and actions can hurt deeper than we know.
on July 16th, 2009 at 6:29 amI think this would be an interesting book to read.
Oh i gotta read this one! Putting it at the top of my list!
on July 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pmNatalie :0)
Wow — I haven’t heard ot this book. It sounds fantastic. Maybe I can get my teens to read it with me in August. Thanks for the post.
on July 18th, 2009 at 12:23 pmI’ve been kind of wishy washy in my feelings towards this one. I don’t want to read it because of the subject matter but I do want to read it because I’ve heard it’s an amazing story. My teen years are ones that I’d gladly like to put behind me, which is why I think I stay away from YA fiction for the most part. I did feel really cool when my sister’s friend was reading this one and I was able to tell her how awesome I heard it was and give her some more recommendations (they’re 17).
on July 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pm