I Was Here is a very poignant story about suicide and depression and one that doesn’t attempt to romanticize these things either. It’s raw and yes, very sad but also very relatable and at times I find myself laughing at the main character’s sarcasm. It’s not hard to empathize with a girl whose best friend and probably the most important person in her life, more like her other half, took her own life.
I like what the story is trying to achieve and I appreciate the plot devices the author used to achieve her purpose. I like how the story is trying to educate readers and at the same time, helping them realize that like any illness, depression can be cured and not encouraged or celebrated by suicide support groups online. As gleaned from the book, you don’t treat an alcoholic by giving him more alcohol the same way that you don’t convince a depressed person that her life isn’t worth saving.
Quoting the author:
“Life can be hard and beautiful and messy, but hopefully, it will be long.”
I know I once mentioned that I tend to avoid books on these topics but they seem to find a way to me and I’m surprised that I’m liking them. Gayle Forman truly has a way with words. Her writing is lyrical and at the same time very genuinely true. I also appreciate her notes in the end.
Perhaps my only complaint is the romance which came out of nowhere and the sort of cheesy ending that got me going “What the hell?” Lol! But other than, I think this book deserves to be read
Wow, that review was very helpful for me. I had always got some mixed opinions on this book, although I enjoyed If I Stay, so I should like this.
Aw, thank you so much. I’m glad the review helped. I hope you end up liking it as much as I did. 😉