rachelelsya's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Finally read this book after a very loooong time in my TBR! You need to look up for TW thoo
3 stars but doesn't mean it's bad. It's just–this book is talking about losing someone important and how you try to survive the grief after that. It's a really heavy book for me. Books can impact my real life feeling so I feel hurt and sad when reading Lex's story.
This book attacked my emotions although the writing was simple, not poetic or anything but the way it talks from Lex's pov is good (bc it hit me to the core).
I almost cried, I could really cry but mostly I read it in a public area soooo— however, I seemly to intrigued by the romance aspect from this story. Such a classic high school romance but it was nice to see Lex not just feeling grieving. The friendship topic is good too.
Also, the way it builds to how we discovered how Ty went away was the one keeps me interested (a touch of mystery but yeah)
3 stars but doesn't mean it's bad. It's just–this book is talking about losing someone important and how you try to survive the grief after that. It's a really heavy book for me. Books can impact my real life feeling so I feel hurt and sad when reading Lex's story.
This book attacked my emotions although the writing was simple, not poetic or anything but the way it talks from Lex's pov is good (bc it hit me to the core).
I almost cried, I could really cry but mostly I read it in a public area soooo— however, I seemly to intrigued by the romance aspect from this story. Such a classic high school romance but it was nice to see Lex not just feeling grieving. The friendship topic is good too.
Also, the way it builds to how we discovered how Ty went away was the one keeps me interested (a touch of mystery but yeah)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
Cheating, Divorced, Therapy,littleemc's review against another edition
4.0
**in advance if anyone sees my review please refrain from making any comments, I thought about not posting it but I made a goal to write down my thoughts on everything I read this year. Cheers
This book is definitely for the survivors - the families of those who chose to end their lives that is.
Trigger Warning: For anyone wanting to read this who suffers from suicidal tendencies, please make sure you're in a safe state of mind before you digest this book. It took me a few days longer than normal because I found myself disassociating and feeling the weight of the grief.
This was a very personal book. I knew pages into reading that Hand must have had personal experiences with this type of trauma in one way or another. This type of grief is grueling - for both families and those who are suicidal.
The care Hand took to give respect to the disease that is depression - that is wanting to be gone in the moment - was just... beautiful.
I think Cynthia wrote perfectly.
My only critiques were the romance - honestly this add nothing for me. In fact it took away from the story in my opinion. Trauma bonding is a real thing and in no way does my adult self with trauma training and a history of mental illness look at this romance as healthy in the long run. Having our main character reconnect with her family and friends was stunning, but reconnecting to a love left traumatized was... distasteful. Perhaps thats just my experience though. Ofc not everyone is the same.
I also found the christian talk distracting. I don't know enough about Hand herself, I picked this book based off the content alone. But I wish that had been left out as well.
Was the religion talk relevant? Of course. This was a white middle class american story - most people in that group fall into Christianity in one way or another. But since this story is about loss and love and moving onwards after death, it would have made the story more relatable and... whats the word... well more palatable for others. The comment her mother made at the end particularly bothered me.
Of course, I am an athiest with trauma relative to Christian development so, I will also say I'm biased here. I'm sure most people weren't bothered. And I'm sure people who "do jesus" would feel... an understanding or comfort from that moment.
Other than that I thought the book was utterly flawless. I look forward to trying more of the books shes written.
This book is definitely for the survivors - the families of those who chose to end their lives that is.
Trigger Warning: For anyone wanting to read this who suffers from suicidal tendencies, please make sure you're in a safe state of mind before you digest this book. It took me a few days longer than normal because I found myself disassociating and feeling the weight of the grief.
This was a very personal book. I knew pages into reading that Hand must have had personal experiences with this type of trauma in one way or another. This type of grief is grueling - for both families and those who are suicidal.
The care Hand took to give respect to the disease that is depression - that is wanting to be gone in the moment - was just... beautiful.
I think Cynthia wrote perfectly.
My only critiques were the romance - honestly this add nothing for me. In fact it took away from the story in my opinion. Trauma bonding is a real thing and in no way does my adult self with trauma training and a history of mental illness look at this romance as healthy in the long run. Having our main character reconnect with her family and friends was stunning, but reconnecting to a love left traumatized was... distasteful. Perhaps thats just my experience though. Ofc not everyone is the same.
I also found the christian talk distracting. I don't know enough about Hand herself, I picked this book based off the content alone. But I wish that had been left out as well.
Was the religion talk relevant? Of course. This was a white middle class american story - most people in that group fall into Christianity in one way or another. But since this story is about loss and love and moving onwards after death, it would have made the story more relatable and... whats the word... well more palatable for others. The comment her mother made at the end particularly bothered me.
Of course, I am an athiest with trauma relative to Christian development so, I will also say I'm biased here. I'm sure most people weren't bothered. And I'm sure people who "do jesus" would feel... an understanding or comfort from that moment.
Other than that I thought the book was utterly flawless. I look forward to trying more of the books shes written.
sierrakevans's review against another edition
4.0
This book touched on so many important topics of grief. People deal with grief in their own ways and this book really showed that. I’m truly grateful this book exists and that I got to read it. It was a hard book to get through but in a good way. Nothing felt glazed over and fantasized like other books of this nature tend to do. If you’re looking for a book that will start the water works this is it.
kristyna1646's review against another edition
4.0
Už dlouho jsem si v knize nepodtrhla tolik věcí. Sice byl začátek trochu pomalejší, ale jak děj plynul, všechno začalo být víc a víc zajímavé. Rozhodně to byla asi nejlepší YA kniha, kterou jsem tento rok přečetla. Téma (sebevražda sourozence) je velice těžké a autorka (bohužel) ví, o čem mluví, ale to knize dodává ještě více na autentičnosti. Bylo těžké uvěřit, že jsou všechny postavy smyšlené, protože působily velice reálně. Autorka dokázala vložit do svých slov city, alespoň tak to na mě působilo. Určitě si tuto knihu někdy přečtu znova.
beeblozis's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
misshappyreading's review against another edition
4.0
Mein Fazit:
Ein emotionaler Roman über Trauerbewältigung. Wird mir noch eine Weile im Gedächtnis bleiben.
***
Inhalt:
Es war der zwanzigste Dezember. Hinter mir lagen genau sechs Monate mit Steven. 183 Tage voller Küsse, bevor die Gleichung sich änderte. Unwiderruflich. Das letzte Mal, dass Lexie glücklich war, war davor. Als sie einen wunderbaren Freund hatte, den Traum, Mathematik zu studieren, und einen Bruder. Tyler. Nun ist sie für die anderen nicht mehr das Zahlengenie, sondern nur noch das Mädchen, dessen Bruder sich umgebracht hat. Um mit der Trauer fertigzuwerden, beginnt Lexie, ihre Gefühle aufzuschreiben. Doch leider ist das Leben keine Gleichung, sonst könnte sie die quälende Ungewissheit auflösen: Tyler hat ihr vor seinem Tod eine SMS geschickt, die sie nicht beachtet hat. Hätte sie alles ändern können? Der Gedanke verfolgt Lexie wie ein Schatten. Bis sie erfährt, was es braucht, um ihr Glück wahrscheinlicher zu machen ... (Klappentext)
Meine Meinung:
Lex hat kein einfaches Leben. Relativ gefühlskalt klärt sie den Leser über ihr Leben auf. Ihr Bruder hat sich umgebracht. Sie geht zu einem Therapeuten (dem sie nicht alles erzählt). Sie hält ihre Freunde auf Abstand. Sie kann nicht richtig trauern.
Trotz Lexies gefühlskälte berühren einen bereits die ersten Seiten des Buches. Ein tolle Gradwanderung zwischen tiefen Gefühlen und einem Charakter der Probleme hat Gefühle zu zeigen.
Das Buch handelt von Lexies Weg zurück in die reale Welt. Es ist interessant ihren Weg zu verfolgen. Besonders ihre Eingeständnise haben mich berührt. Sie gibt nicht nur sich die Schuld an Ty's Tod, sondern auch anderen. Auch wenn sie weiß dass es möglicherweise nicht rational oder berechtigt ist. Obwohl sie ihre Gefühle nicht rauslassen kann spürt man ihren Schmerz, ihre Schuld aber auch das Körnchen Hoffnung dass sich wieder bildet.
Lexie selbst ist ein starker Charakter, intelligent, freundlich, gebildet. Sie ist das Zentrum der Geschichte. Die weiteren Personen, wie ihre Eltern oder Freunde bleiben relativ im Hintergrund. Das macht auch Sinn, denn Lexie kann zu Beginn des Buches mit niemandem richtig etwas anfangen. Doch trotz der wenigen Auftritte sind viele der Protagonisten sehr präsent in ihrer Bescheibung, vor allem Ty.
Das Buch liest sich wundervoll flüssig. Emotional und distanziert. Sehr toll (aus der Ich Perspektive) geschrieben.
Die letzten Seiten des Buches haben mich nochmal richtig hinein gezogen. Das Ende ist nicht übertrieben, nicht aufgesetzt, es ist für diese Geschichte perfekt.
Ein emotionaler Roman über Trauerbewältigung. Wird mir noch eine Weile im Gedächtnis bleiben.
***
Inhalt:
Es war der zwanzigste Dezember. Hinter mir lagen genau sechs Monate mit Steven. 183 Tage voller Küsse, bevor die Gleichung sich änderte. Unwiderruflich. Das letzte Mal, dass Lexie glücklich war, war davor. Als sie einen wunderbaren Freund hatte, den Traum, Mathematik zu studieren, und einen Bruder. Tyler. Nun ist sie für die anderen nicht mehr das Zahlengenie, sondern nur noch das Mädchen, dessen Bruder sich umgebracht hat. Um mit der Trauer fertigzuwerden, beginnt Lexie, ihre Gefühle aufzuschreiben. Doch leider ist das Leben keine Gleichung, sonst könnte sie die quälende Ungewissheit auflösen: Tyler hat ihr vor seinem Tod eine SMS geschickt, die sie nicht beachtet hat. Hätte sie alles ändern können? Der Gedanke verfolgt Lexie wie ein Schatten. Bis sie erfährt, was es braucht, um ihr Glück wahrscheinlicher zu machen ... (Klappentext)
Meine Meinung:
Lex hat kein einfaches Leben. Relativ gefühlskalt klärt sie den Leser über ihr Leben auf. Ihr Bruder hat sich umgebracht. Sie geht zu einem Therapeuten (dem sie nicht alles erzählt). Sie hält ihre Freunde auf Abstand. Sie kann nicht richtig trauern.
Trotz Lexies gefühlskälte berühren einen bereits die ersten Seiten des Buches. Ein tolle Gradwanderung zwischen tiefen Gefühlen und einem Charakter der Probleme hat Gefühle zu zeigen.
Das Buch handelt von Lexies Weg zurück in die reale Welt. Es ist interessant ihren Weg zu verfolgen. Besonders ihre Eingeständnise haben mich berührt. Sie gibt nicht nur sich die Schuld an Ty's Tod, sondern auch anderen. Auch wenn sie weiß dass es möglicherweise nicht rational oder berechtigt ist. Obwohl sie ihre Gefühle nicht rauslassen kann spürt man ihren Schmerz, ihre Schuld aber auch das Körnchen Hoffnung dass sich wieder bildet.
Lexie selbst ist ein starker Charakter, intelligent, freundlich, gebildet. Sie ist das Zentrum der Geschichte. Die weiteren Personen, wie ihre Eltern oder Freunde bleiben relativ im Hintergrund. Das macht auch Sinn, denn Lexie kann zu Beginn des Buches mit niemandem richtig etwas anfangen. Doch trotz der wenigen Auftritte sind viele der Protagonisten sehr präsent in ihrer Bescheibung, vor allem Ty.
Das Buch liest sich wundervoll flüssig. Emotional und distanziert. Sehr toll (aus der Ich Perspektive) geschrieben.
Die letzten Seiten des Buches haben mich nochmal richtig hinein gezogen. Das Ende ist nicht übertrieben, nicht aufgesetzt, es ist für diese Geschichte perfekt.
cassie_06's review against another edition
5.0
I've never cried this much reading a book.
I loved it. 💛
I loved it. 💛
alexblackreads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fantastic. I teared up a bit at a few different points, especially toward the end. Lex and her grief felt so visceral the whole time and parts of this book made my chest hurt. It felt so real. There were only two real things that kept it from being a five star read. First, at times it seemed a little preachy. Listing risk factors, listing statistics, all things I'd seen a million times before in health class. It felt like I was being talked down to a little. The second was that the book was a little generic. I felt like I'd read this story before. It was a good story, it just didn't feel new- like it was following the same blueprint as a dozen other stories I'd read. But it followed that blueprint better than most of them, so I would still thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking for a story about grief. (Heavy trigger warning for graphic suicide description)
emjrasmussen's review against another edition
When I read Cynthia Hand's Unearthly trilogy in late 2012 and early 2013, I adored nearly every aspect of the story: the plot; the voice of the protagonist, Clara; and even the love triangle, which felt surprisingly believable. But now, three years after finishing Boundless, I most vividly remember Clara's relationships with her family members. Her bond with her mother put a smile on my face, and her love for her brother had me wishing for more strong sibling relationships in YA.
I mention the Unearthly trilogy because, as you may have guessed, Clara's relationship with her brother mirrors Lex's relationship with hers—but with one crucial difference. In The Last Time We Say Goodbye, the younger brother dies.
The result is a story that, with near certainty, will make you cry. I shed tears over books maybe once per year—and The Last Time We Say Goodbye sneaked in as my tear-worthy title for 2015. I have seen a few reviews bemoan this book as a mere duplicate of other stories about death and grief (although the majority of reviewers I have encountered share my thoughts), but I could not disagree more. I knew from the first chapter that Hand's book would stand out against other books about similar topics, and the rest of the novel proved me right.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye achieves its uniqueness through a plot that absolutely electrifies with its emotion. Not only does Hand show each character's feelings in a way that defies description and cannot be taught, but she also evokes sorrow by contrasting memories of Ty with his current absence. This novel brims with stories of Ty's life—from amusing childhood comments to teenage sibling conversations—which makes the pain of his survivors more stark and striking.
Additionally, the story does not merely focus on Ty's death; Hand also depicts Lex's response to resulting actions—her mother's drinking and despondency, the heartbreaking reactions of others in the community, and more. Each small sadness and major tragedy adds another layer to Lex's grief, building until any chance of recovery seems hopeless. Of course, such deep despair not only evokes emotions of heartbreak, but also makes the protagonist's healing process empowering and inspiring. Lex's path to recovery creates plenty of bittersweet moments and scenes that, in my opinion, are the most tear-inducing of all.
In addition to following this brilliantly-woven storyline of healing, I also loved meeting Lex herself. While she does show dashes of the cynicism I have grown to expect from characters dealing with grief, she also blends in a bit of optimism. Instead of disregarding the words of her therapist, she tries out his tips and listens to his advice—and best of all, she cares for her mother, trying to convince the 44-year-old woman that her life did not end after her son's suicide. Lex is also a math nerd who dreams of attending MIT and developing her own theorem, and her love for the constancy of numbers becomes a comfort as she grows to accept life without her brother. I love reading about intelligent characters—especially ones who pursue STEM subjects, a rarer interest in YA books, and especially ones whose favorite areas of study blend so well into their character growth—and Lex's fascination with calculus had me almost as invested as her complex recovery process.
Between its overwhelming emotions and phenomenal protagonist, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is one of the best novels about overcoming tragedy that I have ever read. I would put it on the same level as Second Chance Summer, my previous favorite (but now tied-for-favorite) story centering around the death of a family member. If you are a fan of emotional contemporaries, please do not pass this one up because the blurb sounds too similar to that of another book. Hand's most recent novel is the best of its kind.
This review originally appeared at www.foreverliterary.com.
I mention the Unearthly trilogy because, as you may have guessed, Clara's relationship with her brother mirrors Lex's relationship with hers—but with one crucial difference. In The Last Time We Say Goodbye, the younger brother dies.
The result is a story that, with near certainty, will make you cry. I shed tears over books maybe once per year—and The Last Time We Say Goodbye sneaked in as my tear-worthy title for 2015. I have seen a few reviews bemoan this book as a mere duplicate of other stories about death and grief (although the majority of reviewers I have encountered share my thoughts), but I could not disagree more. I knew from the first chapter that Hand's book would stand out against other books about similar topics, and the rest of the novel proved me right.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye achieves its uniqueness through a plot that absolutely electrifies with its emotion. Not only does Hand show each character's feelings in a way that defies description and cannot be taught, but she also evokes sorrow by contrasting memories of Ty with his current absence. This novel brims with stories of Ty's life—from amusing childhood comments to teenage sibling conversations—which makes the pain of his survivors more stark and striking.
Additionally, the story does not merely focus on Ty's death; Hand also depicts Lex's response to resulting actions—her mother's drinking and despondency, the heartbreaking reactions of others in the community, and more. Each small sadness and major tragedy adds another layer to Lex's grief, building until any chance of recovery seems hopeless. Of course, such deep despair not only evokes emotions of heartbreak, but also makes the protagonist's healing process empowering and inspiring. Lex's path to recovery creates plenty of bittersweet moments and scenes that, in my opinion, are the most tear-inducing of all.
In addition to following this brilliantly-woven storyline of healing, I also loved meeting Lex herself. While she does show dashes of the cynicism I have grown to expect from characters dealing with grief, she also blends in a bit of optimism. Instead of disregarding the words of her therapist, she tries out his tips and listens to his advice—and best of all, she cares for her mother, trying to convince the 44-year-old woman that her life did not end after her son's suicide. Lex is also a math nerd who dreams of attending MIT and developing her own theorem, and her love for the constancy of numbers becomes a comfort as she grows to accept life without her brother. I love reading about intelligent characters—especially ones who pursue STEM subjects, a rarer interest in YA books, and especially ones whose favorite areas of study blend so well into their character growth—and Lex's fascination with calculus had me almost as invested as her complex recovery process.
Between its overwhelming emotions and phenomenal protagonist, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is one of the best novels about overcoming tragedy that I have ever read. I would put it on the same level as Second Chance Summer, my previous favorite (but now tied-for-favorite) story centering around the death of a family member. If you are a fan of emotional contemporaries, please do not pass this one up because the blurb sounds too similar to that of another book. Hand's most recent novel is the best of its kind.
This review originally appeared at www.foreverliterary.com.