My most recent read was Cynthia Hand's novel titled The Last Time We Say Goodbye. This emotionally charged family drama was just the book I was looking for, coming into my life at the perfect time to help pull me out of the literary slump I've been in and reinvigorate my passion for books.
The Last Time We Say Goodbye introduces the character Lex, a teenage girl living in small-town Nebraska who is dealing with her younger brother Ty's recent suicide. Having cut herself off from her friends and with her family life unraveling in the wake of her parents' divorce, Lex's therapist suggests that she write in a journal every day. Through doing so, Lex begins the slow and delicate process of healing, forgiving, and letting go of the events surrounding the death of her brother.
Hand tackles the sensitivity surrounding the topic of teen suicide with a deft hand, mastering a perfect balance between Lex's multitude of emotions. The main character Lex was very well developed, with her mathematical prowess and headstrong attitude. In fact, all of the characters in the pages of this book were deep and complex, drawing the reader into each of their own personalities. I also loved how The Last Time We Say Goodbye was interjected by Lex's journal entries, allowing the reader a look back on the events leading up to Ty's suicide.
The only area where this novel fell just slightly short of its potential is regarding the storyline. Although well written I didn't get overly engrossed in the events occuring in The Last Time We Say Goodbye. That is, I felt for the characters and what they were going through but their struggles never struck me on a deep emotional level. I also thought that many of the issues that Lex was going through were all of a sudden fixed at the end of the book, something that is very hard to believe. It was as if a magic wand was waved and all of her troubles were taken care of in the last few chapters.
Aside from these minor issues, I feel that The Last Time We Say Goodbye is not only a well-written novel that will no doubt strike a chord with most readers, but gives a touching and realistic glimpse into the life of someone going through a tragic event in their life. Overall I would definitely give this book a high recommendation.
Author: Cynthia Hand
Genre: Drama/YA
The Last Time We Say Goodbye introduces the character Lex, a teenage girl living in small-town Nebraska who is dealing with her younger brother Ty's recent suicide. Having cut herself off from her friends and with her family life unraveling in the wake of her parents' divorce, Lex's therapist suggests that she write in a journal every day. Through doing so, Lex begins the slow and delicate process of healing, forgiving, and letting go of the events surrounding the death of her brother.
Hand tackles the sensitivity surrounding the topic of teen suicide with a deft hand, mastering a perfect balance between Lex's multitude of emotions. The main character Lex was very well developed, with her mathematical prowess and headstrong attitude. In fact, all of the characters in the pages of this book were deep and complex, drawing the reader into each of their own personalities. I also loved how The Last Time We Say Goodbye was interjected by Lex's journal entries, allowing the reader a look back on the events leading up to Ty's suicide.
The only area where this novel fell just slightly short of its potential is regarding the storyline. Although well written I didn't get overly engrossed in the events occuring in The Last Time We Say Goodbye. That is, I felt for the characters and what they were going through but their struggles never struck me on a deep emotional level. I also thought that many of the issues that Lex was going through were all of a sudden fixed at the end of the book, something that is very hard to believe. It was as if a magic wand was waved and all of her troubles were taken care of in the last few chapters.
Aside from these minor issues, I feel that The Last Time We Say Goodbye is not only a well-written novel that will no doubt strike a chord with most readers, but gives a touching and realistic glimpse into the life of someone going through a tragic event in their life. Overall I would definitely give this book a high recommendation.
Author: Cynthia Hand
Genre: Drama/YA
Pages: 390
Year Published: 2015
My Rating: ★★★★☆
