If I Stay by Gayle Forman
April 6th 2010 by Penguin Young Readers Group
Paperback, 259 pages
Purchased
Book Synopsis
What if you had everything:
A gorgeous boyfriend who was madly in love with you?
Quirky hip parents who totally got you? A musical talent that could take you anywhere? What if your biggest problem in life was choosing which path to take? Follow your first love--music-- to New York City? Or stay with your boyfriend, friends, and family?
What if one day, you went out for a drive... And in an instant everything changed? What if suddenly all the other choices were gone? Except for one--the only one that truly mattered? What would you do? .........................(Goodreads)
Review
Mia a seventeen year old accomplished cellist, with a bright future in music, supportive parents and a beautiful boyfriend has basically what you would call a lovely life in the world. The opening scene of If I Stay showcases a morning over breakfast with Mia, her parents and little brother, the atmosphere paints a picture of peace and a home of laughter and friendship. The hardest aspect in Mia’s life at the moment, is deciding whether to leave her family for Julliard or stay near them at a local college.
One turn of the page plunges Mia and the reader into horrid circumstances….in an instant… everything changes. The choice is no longer going to Julliard…..the choice is to live………………….
After a horrendous car accident, Mia is left in a coma but is able to see everything going on around her. She can see her friends and family, she can hear them and follow them but no one can see her. They only see Mia in the hospital plugged to a ventilator and wires. As the story progresses, Mia walks us through her past and explains each character in the story giving the reader solid attachments and emotional connections to her life. Mia was believably strong and was able to make me laugh, cry and agree with her a countless number of times. I also loved the musical journey in the novel, it broke up some of the devastation going on in the book and was able to along with Mia’s depth, bring meaning to the other characters and almost play a character in itself.
Although the writing and story was almost perfect and while I thought the ending was beautiful it was also abrupt and I wasn’t ready to let go of Mia just yet….but the story ends with the premise you can figure out. Also although Mia’s parents were an active part of her life and they had a healthy strong family I completely disagreed with their parenting style. Open mindedness is a true treasure dealing with teens but handing my child condoms and knowing she’s having sex with her boyfriend behind a closed door is taking it too far. There’s a huge difference between I’m a understanding, supportive parent who used to be a punk rocker and I’m a cool parent who swears like a trucker and encourages my child’s sexuality while letting her boyfriend spend the night---that is what I would call irresponsible….
Despite the parenting issue I had with the novel I thought it was written beautifully. The family overall was portrayed as happy and well adjusted and Mia and Adams love story was subtle yet very real. A powerful message of love, music and tragedy.
Rating
If I Stay is recommended to mature teens (10th grade and up) content includes: Sexuality, graphic language, car accident violence with graphic details, grief, death and adult content.
4.5/5- YA- Death, Music
Great review and I have been wanting to read this book too.
ReplyDeleteI love how you discuss what bugs you! :) Bravo! Great review!
ReplyDeleteloved this book! ditto w/ what Juju said. Fab review!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the parenting style. But I must be missing something because I really didn't like this book (and everyone else seems to really like it).
ReplyDeleteI must say that I do really like the paperback cover, though. It seems to fit the book better than the hardcover.
I think I liked it so much because of Mia......and the overall writing in general, perhaps because it is for sure a YA but can appeal to an adult reader as well with the history of music
ReplyDeleteI see this one at Safeway every time I go to the checkout counter (with the same cover!), and I'm always tempted to get it, but I've been restraining myself. Might have to give in...though the parent issue would bother me, too. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteI actually really liked the parents. I suppose that their doaughter made the choice and they just supported her and actually, it was very responsible to hand her the condoms, just saying. APART from that, I LOVEEEED the book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of good buzz on this one, but your review is extremely moving and powerful! Can't wait to share my thoughts with you once I read it!
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds incredible...I'll definitely have to read this. Amazing review! =)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved this book! It was recommended on another blog, and I got it immediately, did not stop reading until it was finished!
ReplyDeleteThis one kind of reminds me of Before I Fall, But it looks really good. I will be adding it to my TBR pile. Great review!
ReplyDelete