A
beautifully written book, heartfelt, touching and simply amazing.
As I was
reading this book I was astonished at the number of beautiful passages and
phrases. Except for the fact I was reading a library book I would have had my
highlighter out to deface the book (and that’s something normally sacrilegious
to me, I was raised to respect books, and never even fold the corner of the
page down).
What strikes
me most about this book is that even though it is aimed at young adults it
deals with a mature subject in an amazing way, gone are the times that we
tip-toe around a subject and disrespect the readership. It is heartfelt,
touching and real. This is
something I normally wouldn’t do in a review (and I will be doing a more in
depth analysis when I get my hands on my own copy that I can deface), here is
one of the striking passages that astounded me. Simple but powerful.
“It’s been a month since the universe lost
you. One month since you woke up in the morning. One month since you opened a
book. One month since you ate a meal. One month since you keyed a text message.
One month since you went for a walk. One month since you held a hand. One month
since you kissed your boyfriend. One month since you thought of a future that’s
not happening. One month since you dreamed up your own alternative universe.
It’s been one month since you died.
It’s been one month since you lived.”
The short
sticatto sentences are brutal and honest. In one paragraph we learn so much
about Theo. The last sentence is just perfect. Sums up the whole book really. It’s
been one month since you lived.
So ... the
plot ...
This is a
book that charts the journey of Griffin who has lost his first love Theo.
Thankfully Theo hasn’t died by taking his own life as a lot of YA LGBT books
are written about (with good reason of course because it is happening – see my
recent blog about the death of Jamel Myles). However, Griffin lost Theo a year before his death as he
moved to college and found another boyfriend – Jackson. Griffin spends most of
the book talking in his mind to Theo; again, the conversations are real and
heartfelt, although of course somewhat one-sided.
One thing
you need to do is read the chapter heading each time. Alternate chapters jump
between the now and Griffin telling us things that happened in the past, i.e.
the history that was left. Just reading one of those two words – TODAY or
HISTORY – helps your mind to place the events in chronological order. And, I
must say, I like it. The author makes it easier for you to place the events in
order so you can concentrate more on the story. A simple but important task
that sometimes authors forget whilst they weave their tale.
Griffin and Jackson have a fraught relationship with each other and yet they both help
each other get through the worst thing that has ever happened to them. The book deals with the loss in a fantastic way as it celebrates the short life
that Theo led. We also briefly travel on the journey with Theo’s parents and
sister. What could be a harrowing story is lifted by the magical moments that
Griffin remembers between Theo & himself.
Griffin has
other problems too, has an OCD with people being on his left so when walking
down the street the person has to be to his right and he won’t even sit in the
passenger seat of the car as the driver will be to his left. He has an
OCD/phobia of odd numbers which coupled with the loss of Theo leads him to breakdown
on a few occasions. I think that’s what makes this book so realistic. It’s not
canned or stereotypical loss and how one deals with it. To me it’s more
realistic because of these unique characteristics. When we all have to deal
with loss, different things will make us emotional and close to breaking down. It
could be someone wearing the same scent of your loved one, a forgotten memento
from a day out found in the bottom of the sock drawer or simply lying in bed
alone without them. The author describes perfectly what it's like living with an OCD/phobia that starts ruling your whole life.
Both boys
feel responsible for Theo’s death and it’s only when they speak with Theo’s
parents that they can reconcile this guilt and blame. Both Griffin and Jackson
have difficulty dealing with their emotions and, predictable; end up alienating
their best friends who could have helped them through the mess. By the end of
the book, these bridges of friendship are being rebuilt, Griffin is building better with Wade
(Griffin, Wade & Theo were best friends for years before any relationship
blossomed) but I like the fact that these relationships are not rebuilt perfectly.
They are a work-in-progress, rather like the whole book. By the end of the book
Griffin & Jackson don’t have a happily-ever-after Disney finishing but there
is hope.
I have no
hesitation giving this book a 10 out of 10 planets. It’s a beautifully written story of grief, rebuilding and hope. A must read.
John The Captain Ryan
Other LGBT books I have reviewed are
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde HERE
When Everything Feels Like the Movies by Raziel Reid HERE
Noah Can't Even by Simon James Green HERE
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli HERE
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan HERE
Willful Machines by Tim Floreen HERE
