Reviews

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

kippins's review

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4.0

This was such a hard read, especially cause the girl isn't exactly the most likable....she isn't all inspirational & at one with her cancer...she.is.PISSED, and a grumpy teenager! But it was more realistic for all that. And of course I bawled my eyes out.....I don't know why I torture myself like this!

martinenl's review against another edition

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3.0

Finishing this book I don't know if it brought me what I was hoping for. It's not a bad book, is it a really good? I don't know but I'm glad that I've read this one.

chelseaj_'s review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

danoreading's review against another edition

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4.0

I initially did not like this one as much as "Deadline" but it grew on me. I was pretty much sobbing for the last 100 pages, and I almost never cry when I read books. The ending chapters are beautiful.

almags_'s review against another edition

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2.0

Aburrido. Bonito. Raro. ¿Profundo?

Trescientas páginas llenas de una incoherencia sutil.

He visto que a mucha gente le ha llegado al corazón y le hecho llorar y tal, pero, a lo mejor es que yo no soy muy madura para leerlo y sentir su profundidad o, es que solamente porque trate de la muerte ya tiene que ser una obra magnífica.

La verdad es que me lo puse a leer con unas expectativas muy diferentes al libro en sí y me ha decepcionado, pero igualmente no me gusta. Sobretodo porque al hablar de un tema que podría haber sido tan emocionante, me lo llenan todo de sexo. Si estuviera muriéndome, a lo mejor si que querría un poco, igualmente no sería mi prioridad, pero es que Tessa se pasa todo el día pensando en eso y teniéndolo. Sexo, sexo y más sexo. Por esa parte lo he odiado.

Al contrario, he adorado la prosa, tan bonita. Relajante. Poco común.

En los personajes no se profundiza, son patéticos y planos.
Una cosa, ¿qué mierda? Primero Adam, que parece que esté con Tessa solamente para hacer el amor, porque no sé qué tiene la chica para que te enamores de ella. Vamos, casi todas las conversaciones son sobre sexo y las demás sobre la muerte de ella.
Segundo, Zoey. ¿Estás obligada a estar con Tessa? ¿Te pagan por ella? Porque parece que tengas que estar con ella obligatoriamente.
Después: Tessa. Gilipollas. Egoísta. Sin gracia ni carisma. Tonta, más claro agua.

Eso sí, me ha encantado lo real y duro que es. Nada de "lucha hasta el final" o cosas así. Tan real que llegaba a doler cómo no iba a jugar con Lauren, cómo no iba a ver a Adam yendo a la universidad, a Cal crecer o a sus padres construyendo su relación.

Una pena, porque este libro podría haber sido mucho más.

spersephone's review

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3.0

This was an enjoyable, but thought-provoking read. I imagine anyone facing this battle would feel similar, that they want to do things while they have the chance. But what are they storing the memories for? You can't take them with you. The memories she created with others will be painful reminders, at least until they fade into a less hurtful state.

Her tantrum of destruction was very selfish, her Dad's question of why she didn't want to leave him anything a valid one. Yet it's also understandable, her need to control her own universe while she can.

The preoccupation with sex was also really very well written. At her age, on the cusp of discovery, it's all-consuming, regardless of everything else going on. I think it was dealt with sensitively.

Tess allowed Adam into her life, knowing that she'd be leaving him. She will have created an impossible image for his future girlfriends to try to compete with. But he also went in willingly, and I'm glad he did, for the experience has also changed him in a positive way, and provided comfort to Tess at a time she needed it.

It will be some years before everyone moves into a new and comfortable rhythm without Tess in their lives, but their having been present throughout her journey towards death was also an important part of their own development.

readlikeanerd's review against another edition

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4.0

I've not read this in ages. It's one of those rare books that's shockingly truthful from the beginning, and yet, somehow, the ending still manages to surprise you. There's no ambiguity. Tessa is terminally ill and is going to die. And yet there is still hope. It's a hope for the human race in the way we see Tessa continue to exist, to live, to squeeze every last piece of living she has out of herself. Through this, we want to see her succeed with her 'Before I Die' list. The reason I didn't give it five stars is probably just a personal thing. Books about terminal illness really aren't a favourite of mine. Although, the fact that I still gave it four stars regardless, is surely a sign to what a wonderful piece of writing this is.

zeyno4425's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

thaliavs's review against another edition

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2.0

(NL-editie) 2024 youth re-read. It was not for me. I didn’t feel any connection with the main character and the writing style wasn’t for me.

ecdereus's review against another edition

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4.0

Ontroerend boek over de 16-jarige Tessa Scott, die sinds haar 12e aan acute lymfatische leukemie lijdt en nu door de artsen is opgegeven. Zij is behoorlijk recalcitrant, wil in de luttele tijd die haar nog rest nog zo veel mogelijk uit het leven peuren en heeft een lijst gemaakt met 10 punten die ze samen met haar beste vriendin Zoey Walker probeert te verwezenlijken. De eerste drie punten zijn seks, een dag op alles JA zeggen en drugs...
Maar dan ontmoet Tessa haar 18-jarige buurjongen Adam en blijkt Zoey zwanger... Tessa's prioriteiten veranderen: ze wil dat haar (gescheiden levende) ouders weer bij elkaar komen en Adam en zij worden hopeloos verliefd, terwijl Tessa's conditie in rap tempo achteruit gaat...
Aangrijpend zijn de laatste hoofdstukken, wanneer Tessa zichzelf uit het ziekenhuis ontslaat omdat ze thuis wil zijn en Adam de belofte heeft afgedwongen om nog eenmaal met haar te vrijen. Als de steeds frequenter toegediende transfusies met bloedplaatjes al binnen een dag hun effect verliezen, moet daarmee worden gestopt en breekt Tessa's stervensfase aan, waarbij haar vader, haar broertje Cal en vooral Adam haar tot het eind bijstaan.