You're right in that suicide IS the most selfish act there is. And I think that's WHY the book works (I read it several months ago). The way I see it, there's no way that Hannah could have named herself as the 13th reason--the very act of her being willing to go through with suicide versus a cry for help means that she really couldn't have seen herself as that big a part of the problem. I think I would have felt that the book "wimped out" if it had ended that way. It's daring to write a character so screwed up and yet make the reader sympathize with her without agreeing with her
( ... )
The sad thing is, I would've never considered the "hero" angle if I hadn't read it as a review on Amazon, but you're right in that people bring all kinds of baggage and fears to the books they read and, for that matter, the music they listen to or the television/movies they watch.
But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? So far, I've heard of nothing but positive impacts this book has had, and the negativity is from people who've read the book and disagreed with it, not people who knew someone who read the book, thought Hannah was a hero and killed themselves.
But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? Yep, I do. And I think that he did. By not copping out and having Hannah suddenly realize "It was my fault too!", it's more true to life. Unfortunately, I can see where people would disagree with that and want to see that redemption, even if it dilutes the story. Also unfortunately, I can see the worry that people might read it and take away the wrong message.
I think the strength of this book--and the knife edge that it walks--is its willingness to look at something unspeakable and challenge us to get into that mindset and really consider it. I'm glad to know that you've heard about positive impacts from this book. I think it's worthy of that praise.
Well, I know one friend of mine who refuses to read it because of the content, and another who had some HUGE issues (I asked her to send me a link to her review) with it as well, but she had someone very close to her commit suicide, so it'll be interesting to see what her rants are. :)
It's such an easy subject to take personally. I think people who get angry over what Hannah did are missing the point that it SHOULD MAKE YOU ANGRY, you know?
people who are truly going to commit suicide aren't going to cry for help. They're just going to do it. Not saying we should ignore people who show the warning signs, but I wonder: if you're creating a character who's going to commit suicide, are you accurately portraying her psychology by making her go through the motions that you, as an author, know come from people who cried for help?
My understanding is that there's a macabre split between suicide completers and attempters: completers are more likely to be people without previous signs of suicidal behavior, because they're more likely to choose more effective means (bridges, guns, etc). People who survive the attempt are more likely to show long-term suicidal behavior, since they tend to choose less effective means (pills, asphyxiation). More info here. So...in a bizarre way, the fact that Hannah succeeds in killing herself argues that if she had gotten help, or been able to trust Clay further, she would not have killed herself
( ... )
Yeah, I don't want to blame the victim, BUT what I know of the suicidal mindset, and what I know it does to the people it leaves behind? It's a selfish act. People committing suicide don't recognize it as such, because I think they think the world would be better off without them, but everything about the suicidal state of mind is all about that person. They don't look at things from other peoples' POV to see how their actions would effect others
( ... )
I'm certainly not going to argue with your experience, and I'm glad to hear you're not a Hannah. I have, however, seen what suicide has done to the people left behind (I've fortunately not been in that position), and a lot of those people will say it was selfish, and they'll say so rather vehemently, because of what they've gone through
( ... )
May I ask your views? If you're not comfortable discussing them here, I'd be happy to talk via email. And don't worry, I might disagree, but all the fight's out of me on this subject, at least in regards to this specific book. :)
So you DEFINITELY take a different approach! The example you list is something I find I don't have an issue with, and there's the case of Bud Dwyer that I feel is admirable in its choice, because he did it for his family (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Dwyer)
But the suicide that applies in this book, it's a very different state of mind that can't see past is own pain and misery. I've had some VERY interesting discussions with people on account of this book, people who've known others who've attempted, etc., and it's interesting what you learn. :)
I just read and reviewed this one myself last week. I definitely didn't do the review justice as my mind was still swimming with thoughts, feelings and reactions from the book. This one really blew me out of the water. I hadn't expected to be so emotionally shaken from reading this. It brought up a lot of memories about being isolated and lonely (for me, it was more junior high than high school). I really think you did a great job with your review. I love how you presented both positive and negative aspects that can perceived; they are both pretty accurate in my opinion. :) Seriously, I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed this review. It helped me to sort out some of my thoughts and emotions related to this book! :)
Thanks for commenting, Lily. If I recall, it took me a while to even sort out my own thoughts as well, because it is such a huge book to process in terms of its content and message.
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But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? So far, I've heard of nothing but positive impacts this book has had, and the negativity is from people who've read the book and disagreed with it, not people who knew someone who read the book, thought Hannah was a hero and killed themselves.
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Yep, I do. And I think that he did. By not copping out and having Hannah suddenly realize "It was my fault too!", it's more true to life. Unfortunately, I can see where people would disagree with that and want to see that redemption, even if it dilutes the story. Also unfortunately, I can see the worry that people might read it and take away the wrong message.
I think the strength of this book--and the knife edge that it walks--is its willingness to look at something unspeakable and challenge us to get into that mindset and really consider it. I'm glad to know that you've heard about positive impacts from this book. I think it's worthy of that praise.
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It's such an easy subject to take personally. I think people who get angry over what Hannah did are missing the point that it SHOULD MAKE YOU ANGRY, you know?
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My understanding is that there's a macabre split between suicide completers and attempters: completers are more likely to be people without previous signs of suicidal behavior, because they're more likely to choose more effective means (bridges, guns, etc). People who survive the attempt are more likely to show long-term suicidal behavior, since they tend to choose less effective means (pills, asphyxiation). More info here. So...in a bizarre way, the fact that Hannah succeeds in killing herself argues that if she had gotten help, or been able to trust Clay further, she would not have killed herself ( ... )
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But the suicide that applies in this book, it's a very different state of mind that can't see past is own pain and misery. I've had some VERY interesting discussions with people on account of this book, people who've known others who've attempted, etc., and it's interesting what you learn. :)
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