I'm back. Back from Spain. I read three books over the two weeks and this is number one. It is called Before I Die by Jenny Downham. For those who have read it, I know that it is not a very 'happy' book, in the fact it is about a girl who is dying of cancer but it is an interesting book and very uplifting at the end and it does present a series of interesting questions and situations. (Before I begin, I would like to say that when I go on holiday, probably contrary-wise to the majority of the book fanatic population, I like to take books that I don't have time to read during the non-holiday period. That means, usually, they are difficult to read or they are quite different books. I don't take 'easy' novels on holiday. So, with that in mind, if you like something simple to read while you are chilling out on holiday somewhere, I will give some recommendations below so you can skip this review and check those out.)
Before I Die is about a girl called Tessa, who is dying of cancer but she has a list of things that she wants to do before she dies. The list evolves and changes, going from being very superficial and almost crude to becoming deeper and more beautiful.
What I liked about the book
Jenny Downham is an amazing writer, that much is clear from her style and way of writing. She is slightly ambiguous at times in her metaphors and similes but I think it is very beautiful. However, the character of Tessa annoyed me sometimes in the way that she saw the world and her actions. I also did not like the message that could have been interpreted from the book. Tessa's list of things to do included illegal things and she said that she was 'living'. I quote, 'stay wrapped in blankets and get on with dying, or get the list back together and get on with living'. I personally was not too impressed with this because I believe that it could affect readers in the wrong way. To me, the quality of life does not affect whether or not you are living truly but, nonetheless, I did enjoy the book. (I have just realised that I probably sound like a real killjoy in all of these reviews. I just have very definite and probably controversial views so...sorry about that.)
Jenny Downham is an amazing writer, that much is clear from her style and way of writing. She is slightly ambiguous at times in her metaphors and similes but I think it is very beautiful. However, the character of Tessa annoyed me sometimes in the way that she saw the world and her actions. I also did not like the message that could have been interpreted from the book. Tessa's list of things to do included illegal things and she said that she was 'living'. I quote, 'stay wrapped in blankets and get on with dying, or get the list back together and get on with living'. I personally was not too impressed with this because I believe that it could affect readers in the wrong way. To me, the quality of life does not affect whether or not you are living truly but, nonetheless, I did enjoy the book. (I have just realised that I probably sound like a real killjoy in all of these reviews. I just have very definite and probably controversial views so...sorry about that.)
Issues presented in the book
I suppose one of the biggest issues in the book was this idea of the quality of life and how it affects the way that you see the world and the way in which you see life. Tessa had a poor quality of life, that much was clear because she was dying of cancer but she tried to improve but doing different things and changing her attitude along the way. I guess that one of the greatest things in the book is that by the end she realised that fulfilling a list of things does not make life any worse or better. Life isn't improved by doing a list of things; that isn't how life gets better. She finds out, as I suppose the reader might as well, that life is life. People and experiences make it more enjoyable but not really better. Wow, deep. On the cover of the book, there is a quote from a reviewer that says 'a book that will make you happy to be alive.' and it really is. It did make me appreciate the things that I have and the illnesses that I don't have and, when you finish the book, you feel cathartic.
I suppose one of the biggest issues in the book was this idea of the quality of life and how it affects the way that you see the world and the way in which you see life. Tessa had a poor quality of life, that much was clear because she was dying of cancer but she tried to improve but doing different things and changing her attitude along the way. I guess that one of the greatest things in the book is that by the end she realised that fulfilling a list of things does not make life any worse or better. Life isn't improved by doing a list of things; that isn't how life gets better. She finds out, as I suppose the reader might as well, that life is life. People and experiences make it more enjoyable but not really better. Wow, deep. On the cover of the book, there is a quote from a reviewer that says 'a book that will make you happy to be alive.' and it really is. It did make me appreciate the things that I have and the illnesses that I don't have and, when you finish the book, you feel cathartic.
Recommendations (for Before I Die)
Mister God, This Is Anna by Sydney Hopkins, under the pseudonym Fynn- This is one of my favourite books of all time. It is the story of a girl called Anna, of about five years old, who is found by a nineteen-year old boy called Fynn on the streets in London. Fynn takes her home to live with him and his mother because Anna doesn't seem to have a family. It is the story of Anna through Fynn's eyes, her constant outpouring of information about all the different issues in the world and her explanation of her friend and mentor, Mister God. It is an adorable story and it is so sweet.
Eva's Story by Eva Schloss - Another great book. Eva Schloss is the step-sister of Anne Frank. When Anne, her sister and mother died in the concentration camps, Eva's brother and dad died and therefore Otto Frank and Eva's mum married after the war. I have met Eva Schloss and she signed my copy of Eva's Story. ;) It is not as well known as Anne Frank's diary but I think I prefer Eva's Story. It is so heartbreaking and so authentic that it makes me cry every time I read it. It is the story of Eva's experience in the concentration camps of the Nazis and her story of survival. Every time you read it, it makes you marvel at the things people think they are justified in doing to others. It is really, very sad.
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Recommendations (for holiday books)
All of these are quite short books that could be read over a short period of time and I have chosen a few different categories so you can pick and choose.
FOR THOSE THAT WANT A QUICK READ-
Cool by Michael Morpurgo - the story of a boy called Robbie in a coma after being in a car accident. It is actually really uplifting and surprisingly amusing at times.
The Dancing Bear by Michael Morpurgo - this is the story of a bear that is adopted by a orphan girl and she raises him but then a film crew comes to the village and they want a dancing bear.
Toro! Toro! by Michael Morpurgo - Antonito lives on a bull farm in Spain. His favourite bull is called Paco but then he finds out that Paco is headed for the bullring.
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FOR THOSE THAT WANT SOME COMEDY
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell- This is the story of a boy who moves to Corfu with his family and loves animals. He keeps trying to bring wildlife into the house and that, along with his highly eccentric family, makes it a really funny book
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FOR THOSE THAT WANT A LITTLE ROMANCE
Amy and Roger's EPIC Detour by Morgan Matson- This is the story of a road trip between California and the East Coast. Amy Curry hasn't been able to drive a car since her father's death and so Roger drives them. And you can guess what happens next... ;)
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FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO BE SCARED
Coraline by Neil Gaiman- I wasn't scared by this book but it is classified as paranormal. It is the story of Coraline, who has moved into a new house and behind the door in her drawing room is another house where live people who have buttons for eyes. It is just really creepy. If you like that...
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Well, finally we have got to the end of this review. Wow, it has been long. I hope you enjoyed it and you like some of the books that I recommend. I have two more reviews coming out, one will probably be today and the other tomorrow morning some time.
Clare
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