If I Stay is a young-adult novel written by Gayle Forman. It was published by Speak, a subsidiary of Penguin Publishers in April of 2010. The U.S. paperback has 272 pages divided over the course of 24-hours. It does not have chapters.
Synopsis: In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeenyear-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.
I gave this novel a 5/5 stars.
I have to say that this is one of the most honest and touching novels that I have ever read. The story centers around Mia, a teen-aged cellist who is the only member of her family to survive a horrific car accident. It follows her in the 24-hours following the crash as she decides whether to fight and live or to die and be with her family. The novel was well-thought-out and beautifully crafted. It has such a true tone and the dialogue is golden. Usually when I read dialogue in teen novels, I find that the author is not being true to the age. But not with If I Stay. Forman truly has a way with words. As a result, the characters, right down to the minor nurses, were really well-developed. The action wasn't rushed but it still moved foward. I think the flow is the appropriate word to describe it. The novel focused and was influenced greatly by music; it defines a lot of the book and the characters. I really like how Forman uses allusion to music in her descriptions. Her ability to balance between present while adding depth to Mia through flashbacks is good but her ability to do so using musical allusions is great. It adds a coherecy and unity that really makes the novel. This book will break your heart and fill you with life at the same time.
I just starts the Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld. I'll review those each individually.
Happy reading, ya'll!
xoxo Theresa
Book Nook Reviews
Today, two people wanted this book. I never really knew what it was about, but we sell so many copies. I might have to read this now. It sounds really good!
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