A review by jakegreyxx
Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp
4.0
I think this is one of those books that I know I had feelings about, but they’re not feelings that can really be explained. It was dark, devastating, and ominous. It was blunt. Nothing was held back or brushed over.
It left me with mixed feelings and questions, while also feeling satisfying and complete.
And I can’t explain it.
I do think it’s important to acknowledge what this book does though, because this is a book following two best friends. One of them is dead in the present day, but there are flashback chapters and letters that show us more of her.
I think the way Kyra’s bipolar is shown and the way those around her react to it is important because it shows both extremes. It shows how people around her treated her differently when she was first diagnosed, how they were cautious and distant, to how they suddenly loved her when they decided she was useful. The two extremes of rejection and support, and how they can both be toxic and harmful.
It also shows how she felt about it, how it affected her and the ways it affected her life. Throughout the book, we get to see what her episodes were like, and what she was like during them.
All of this is shown through a combination of present-day chapters, flashback chapters, and letters Kyra wrote to Corey.
It left me with mixed feelings and questions, while also feeling satisfying and complete.
And I can’t explain it.
I do think it’s important to acknowledge what this book does though, because this is a book following two best friends. One of them is dead in the present day, but there are flashback chapters and letters that show us more of her.
I think the way Kyra’s bipolar is shown and the way those around her react to it is important because it shows both extremes. It shows how people around her treated her differently when she was first diagnosed, how they were cautious and distant, to how they suddenly loved her when they decided she was useful. The two extremes of rejection and support, and how they can both be toxic and harmful.
It also shows how she felt about it, how it affected her and the ways it affected her life. Throughout the book, we get to see what her episodes were like, and what she was like during them.
All of this is shown through a combination of present-day chapters, flashback chapters, and letters Kyra wrote to Corey.