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estherfilbrun's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first got into this book. Mom read it, and asked me if I could read it at some stage—she couldn’t decide whether she liked it enough to keep on the shelf or not. I was quite intrigued when I got into the book—this isn’t the kind of story you get just every day!
The story switches between two girls’ points of view—Jill, who is still trying to work through the devastating loss of her father, and Mandy, who just wants to be part of a family. Both characters are well-drawn, and, unexpectedly, I found myself rooting for both of them—and sympathizing with the situations they found themselves in. I didn’t agree with all the choices they made, but as the story went on and I learned more about what was driving the girls, I was able to understand why they acted the way they did.
This is a powerful story. It doesn’t depict a picture-perfect world, and to be honest, there were a few places that made me uncomfortable (as a rule, I don’t read intimate scenes, but I felt like the way they were done here was as vague as possible, since one, especially, was necessary to the plot). By the time I got to the end of the book, I realized that I had fallen in love with the characters. This is an unusual story in many ways, but I believe just about anyone would be able to find themselves in the story. If you enjoy books that are easy to read, but give you something to mull over long after you put the book down, I’d recommend you check it out. It’s a good one!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
The story switches between two girls’ points of view—Jill, who is still trying to work through the devastating loss of her father, and Mandy, who just wants to be part of a family. Both characters are well-drawn, and, unexpectedly, I found myself rooting for both of them—and sympathizing with the situations they found themselves in. I didn’t agree with all the choices they made, but as the story went on and I learned more about what was driving the girls, I was able to understand why they acted the way they did.
This is a powerful story. It doesn’t depict a picture-perfect world, and to be honest, there were a few places that made me uncomfortable (as a rule, I don’t read intimate scenes, but I felt like the way they were done here was as vague as possible, since one, especially, was necessary to the plot). By the time I got to the end of the book, I realized that I had fallen in love with the characters. This is an unusual story in many ways, but I believe just about anyone would be able to find themselves in the story. If you enjoy books that are easy to read, but give you something to mull over long after you put the book down, I’d recommend you check it out. It’s a good one!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
lorilaws's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I have ever read my Sara Zarr.I definitely see the error of my ways now, because this book was incredible. I didn't really know what to expect at first, but I fell in love with it quickly. The premise was something extraordinarily original. The book also revolves mostly around family dynamics, which is almost unheard of in YA.
I loved Mandy and Jill, although it took me a little while to get used to Mandy. At first she seemed a little...strange and her actions even made me cringe a few times. As the story progresses Mandy really developed. She was very easy to relate to even though I've never been in any kind of similar situation. Her feelings of confusion and her fear were totally understandable. Her innocence and almost naive voice was haunting. I really felt a lot of affection for her by the end of the book. I wanted to hug her and tell her everything would be okay.
Jill was very rough around the edges. She was still grieving heavily for her father and she took it out on loved ones. As a reader you couldn't hold that tough exterior against her, because you know what's going on in her head. She's very lost without her father and a little self destructive. All of this sounds like it would make her unlikable, but she isn't. Not at all.
The characters are what made the book for me. It's been awhile since I read something that had me so invested in the outcome. I cared about it so much that I think I gave myself a tension headache during the last 100 pages or so, because I was so worried something bad was going to happen to them.
This book was sad, but not heartbreaking. It was much more heartwarming for me. How to Save a Life is about healing and finding happiness in unsuspecting places. I loved it.
I loved Mandy and Jill, although it took me a little while to get used to Mandy. At first she seemed a little...strange and her actions even made me cringe a few times. As the story progresses Mandy really developed. She was very easy to relate to even though I've never been in any kind of similar situation. Her feelings of confusion and her fear were totally understandable. Her innocence and almost naive voice was haunting. I really felt a lot of affection for her by the end of the book. I wanted to hug her and tell her everything would be okay.
Jill was very rough around the edges. She was still grieving heavily for her father and she took it out on loved ones. As a reader you couldn't hold that tough exterior against her, because you know what's going on in her head. She's very lost without her father and a little self destructive. All of this sounds like it would make her unlikable, but she isn't. Not at all.
The characters are what made the book for me. It's been awhile since I read something that had me so invested in the outcome. I cared about it so much that I think I gave myself a tension headache during the last 100 pages or so, because I was so worried something bad was going to happen to them.
This book was sad, but not heartbreaking. It was much more heartwarming for me. How to Save a Life is about healing and finding happiness in unsuspecting places. I loved it.
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
I am really glad I finished with the book. I didn't really like the characters (they mostly annoyed me) and the story was quite boring. I had hoped for more improvement as the story went on, but sadly, nope. :(
parklandmom's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Intriguing story, but some things just didn’t sit right with me. Again, I felt like some things were unanswered at the end as with the last book I read by the same author.
darlingqod's review against another edition
DNF at page 140
I'd love to finish this, but the characters are too annoying for me I find it difficult to read.
I'd love to finish this, but the characters are too annoying for me I find it difficult to read.
cgreaderbee's review against another edition
4.0
"And in the rock-paper-scissors of life, love is rock."
Ah. My usual kerfuffle with contemporary. I go into it expecting to be mildly underwhelmed, and come out the other side with something akin to warm fuzzies and satisfaction.
Alright. Where to begin?
- Jill. I just really liked her character. I liked the roughness around her edges. I liked her imperfections, acting out against the people around her, wounded and struggling to understand herself and how she fit into the world. I liked her reflections, for haven't we all been there? That instant plummet of regret straight into the gut when we do or say something harshly, lash out, when that's not even what we meant or wanted in the first place. That stubborn denial to admit defeat, to be vulnerable and exposed.
“I can be human to strangers and coworkers, just not to the people who actually care about me.”
- Mandy. While a very different and at times frustrating character, her simpleness and naivety gave an even greater quality to her insight. Having been through some seriously tough shit, her memories and reflections and growth through the book became just as important to me as Jill's, even if I didn't technically like her as much.
- This book delved into and delivered A LOT. Death, grief, motherhood, family, love, friendship, growth, abuse, privilege ... But none of that was ever strictly shoved into the reader's face; rather, it was woven into the characters and story and lingered in the periphery, ever more the powerful.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Mom and I, different as we are, are twin planets orbiting the same universe of grief but never quite making contact."
I listened to this as an Audiobook, and I know there were more quotes I would have wanted to add. But alas, I can't find them now, despite some vigorous Google searching. Argh.
Ah. My usual kerfuffle with contemporary. I go into it expecting to be mildly underwhelmed, and come out the other side with something akin to warm fuzzies and satisfaction.
Alright. Where to begin?
- Jill. I just really liked her character. I liked the roughness around her edges. I liked her imperfections, acting out against the people around her, wounded and struggling to understand herself and how she fit into the world. I liked her reflections, for haven't we all been there? That instant plummet of regret straight into the gut when we do or say something harshly, lash out, when that's not even what we meant or wanted in the first place. That stubborn denial to admit defeat, to be vulnerable and exposed.
“I can be human to strangers and coworkers, just not to the people who actually care about me.”
- Mandy. While a very different and at times frustrating character, her simpleness and naivety gave an even greater quality to her insight. Having been through some seriously tough shit, her memories and reflections and growth through the book became just as important to me as Jill's, even if I didn't technically like her as much.
- This book delved into and delivered A LOT. Death, grief, motherhood, family, love, friendship, growth, abuse, privilege ... But none of that was ever strictly shoved into the reader's face; rather, it was woven into the characters and story and lingered in the periphery, ever more the powerful.
Spoiler
- A love triangle ... done right? I liked that the book both contained the history and slowly fading away of Jill & Dylan AND the beginning and blossoming of Jill & Ravi. Though I am Team Ravi, I could relate to the bittersweet ending with Dylan as they knew they both cared for one another, but that the romantic relationship between them was no longer on the same wavelength. It was counter-balanced by the adorable, meaningful, and at times frustrating interactions between Jill and Ravi. But neither took away from the other, in some strange way. It was balanced just the right amount.One of my favorite quotes:
"Mom and I, different as we are, are twin planets orbiting the same universe of grief but never quite making contact."
I listened to this as an Audiobook, and I know there were more quotes I would have wanted to add. But alas, I can't find them now, despite some vigorous Google searching. Argh.
emleemay's review against another edition
5.0
My thoughts on [b:How to Save a Life|10757806|How to Save a Life|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327885018s/10757806.jpg|14982110] remind me a lot of the way I felt about [b:Please Ignore Vera Dietz|6665671|Please Ignore Vera Dietz|A.S. King|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320541615s/6665671.jpg|6860540]. In fact, there's one thing I can pretty much quote directly from the review I wrote, about how there are two subjects in young adult books that would normally make me run a mile:
a) teen pregnancy, and
b) coping with the death of a loved one
Both of them are just so overdone, annoying and melodramatic that I find it quite amazing that this novel can march onto the literary scene with its two perspectives, one by a girl who is pregnant, and the other by a girl who's trying to deal with the loss of her father, and be absolutely, wonderfully moving, heartbreaking and unforgettable. I can't say I'm shocked that it was good, the other reviews made me sure I would love this story, but I still find it surprising that this subject matter has been turned into something fresh and new.
I was slightly apprehensive, I do admit, because the only other novel I have read by [a:Sara Zarr|19093|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1302718823p2/19093.jpg] is [b:Story of a Girl|33906|Story of a Girl|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168471691s/33906.jpg|2420507] and I wasn't that impressed. No, perhaps it's not that, but rather I felt like myself and the author were on completely different wavelengths regarding a lot of issues that I find important, and I was a little concerned that some of these things might resurface in [b:How to Save a Life|10757806|How to Save a Life|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327885018s/10757806.jpg|14982110]. I need not have worried.
I felt that everything about this book was just a lot more polished than [b:Story of a Girl|33906|Story of a Girl|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168471691s/33906.jpg|2420507], and it was wholly more satisfying for it. I loved the writing - beautiful but without being burdened by prose that is too flowery - and I thought every single character had something to offer the story, no one introduced was wasted. And though this was also a sad book, I was glad the ending was happier and had a greater sense of closure than [b:Story of a Girl|33906|Story of a Girl|Sara Zarr|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168471691s/33906.jpg|2420507] did.
ccchat8's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. I related to the characters well, the plot is amazing, and the tiny hint of romance made it great. The ending was amazing!
helloemma's review against another edition
3.0
Aw, this book was nice - a lovely absorbing read that took me in completely. It was well written with believable, loveable characters, but the reason it's not getting more than 3 stars is because when I got to the end I couldn't help but feel that I wanted something more from it. The book hinted at and threatened to twist and turn with more than what actually happened but it didn't pan out and I felt like it was over way before I was ready for it to be over.
cornmaven's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful book about grief, becoming lost and then becoming found, about finding your path in the world, and about how unexpected hiccups lead you to a better place. The chapters are either narrated by Jill or Mandy, and it took me awhile to decide if I liked Mandy, and then another while to decide why I should feel sorry for Jill because she became very unlikeable. All of which goes to show that humans are complex and first impressions are not necessarily the truth.
I liked that Zarr showed you that a person sometimes does crazy things in the midst of grief, and that those things are not the sum total of that person. I think my favorite character was Dylan - he was wise beyond his years and it was refreshing to see a very mature teen boy in this story.
The resolution of their situation was beautiful, the words even more so. I knocked it down a star because the notion that Jill's mother could have actually adopted Mandy's baby without any sort of paperwork is ludicrous. It wouldn't have been a legal adoption and this woman was far too smart to not realize that the child would have no legal protection or benefits, including mom's ability to do her income taxes correctly.
I liked that Zarr showed you that a person sometimes does crazy things in the midst of grief, and that those things are not the sum total of that person. I think my favorite character was Dylan - he was wise beyond his years and it was refreshing to see a very mature teen boy in this story.
The resolution of their situation was beautiful, the words even more so. I knocked it down a star because the notion that Jill's mother could have actually adopted Mandy's baby without any sort of paperwork is ludicrous. It wouldn't have been a legal adoption and this woman was far too smart to not realize that the child would have no legal protection or benefits, including mom's ability to do her income taxes correctly.