You're right in that suicide IS the most selfish act there is. And I think that's WHY the book works (I read it several months ago). The way I see it, there's no way that Hannah could have named herself as the 13th reason--the very act of her being willing to go through with suicide versus a cry for help means that she really couldn't have seen herself as that big a part of the problem. I think I would have felt that the book "wimped out" if it had ended that way. It's daring to write a character so screwed up and yet make the reader sympathize with her without agreeing with her
( ... )
The sad thing is, I would've never considered the "hero" angle if I hadn't read it as a review on Amazon, but you're right in that people bring all kinds of baggage and fears to the books they read and, for that matter, the music they listen to or the television/movies they watch.
But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? So far, I've heard of nothing but positive impacts this book has had, and the negativity is from people who've read the book and disagreed with it, not people who knew someone who read the book, thought Hannah was a hero and killed themselves.
But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? Yep, I do. And I think that he did. By not copping out and having Hannah suddenly realize "It was my fault too!", it's more true to life. Unfortunately, I can see where people would disagree with that and want to see that redemption, even if it dilutes the story. Also unfortunately, I can see the worry that people might read it and take away the wrong message.
I think the strength of this book--and the knife edge that it walks--is its willingness to look at something unspeakable and challenge us to get into that mindset and really consider it. I'm glad to know that you've heard about positive impacts from this book. I think it's worthy of that praise.
Well, I know one friend of mine who refuses to read it because of the content, and another who had some HUGE issues (I asked her to send me a link to her review) with it as well, but she had someone very close to her commit suicide, so it'll be interesting to see what her rants are. :)
It's such an easy subject to take personally. I think people who get angry over what Hannah did are missing the point that it SHOULD MAKE YOU ANGRY, you know?
I think people who get angry over what Hannah did are missing the point that it SHOULD MAKE YOU ANGRY, you know? Yep, you're definitely right on that. :)
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But I think the answer to your question is that the author has to be AWARE of it and write the book the best way he can, you know? So far, I've heard of nothing but positive impacts this book has had, and the negativity is from people who've read the book and disagreed with it, not people who knew someone who read the book, thought Hannah was a hero and killed themselves.
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Yep, I do. And I think that he did. By not copping out and having Hannah suddenly realize "It was my fault too!", it's more true to life. Unfortunately, I can see where people would disagree with that and want to see that redemption, even if it dilutes the story. Also unfortunately, I can see the worry that people might read it and take away the wrong message.
I think the strength of this book--and the knife edge that it walks--is its willingness to look at something unspeakable and challenge us to get into that mindset and really consider it. I'm glad to know that you've heard about positive impacts from this book. I think it's worthy of that praise.
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It's such an easy subject to take personally. I think people who get angry over what Hannah did are missing the point that it SHOULD MAKE YOU ANGRY, you know?
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Yep, you're definitely right on that. :)
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