Critical Review #1:
Review found here! (quoted below)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a young adult novel cowritten in a series of alternating chapters which narrate a series of events as they intersect with young love, musical theatre, and even Shrodinger’s cat. I’m not familiar with David Levithan, but I do known John Green’s work, and his writing voice is unmistakable here; crisp, witty, and also a bit quirky. There’s a reason the man is adored by legions of nerdfighters. It’s a good story, and it’s pretty well executed, but I would highly recommend it.
One thing about this book got me particularly excited and it’s that which I would like to focus on today. You can read reviews of this book in lots of places, so I’d rather explore a specific facet of the book which I found especially notable: Will Grayson, Will Grayson has a fabulous depiction of disability. This further supports my theory that young adult fiction tends to have better depictions of race, gender, sexuality, and disability than a lot of adult fiction and that some of this is a function of the author’s role not just as storyteller, but also as teacher. I love it when books have embedded commentary and when that commentary forces readers to rethink the way that they view something.
One of the eponymous Will Graysons of the title has depression. I’m not a fan of the typographical cutesyness of having his sections cast in lowercase type (to underscore the ennui, you know), but I do like the way that the character talks about depression. Because he does so in a way which I think makes depression more accessible and understandable to readers. His character isn’t built up as alien and odd; he’s one of the heroes of the story, and he avoids a lot of disability stereotypes. Not just avoids them, but actively deconstructs them and forces readers to do the same if they want to engage with the story.
He’s not tragic and he refuses to allow you to view him as tragic. Actually, the other Will Grayson feels like more of a tragic character to me. This is a nice shift from how these things usually go, where the character with depression is the sad and pitiful one and the story winds up being about how that character ‘overcomes.’ The Will Grayson with depression doesn’t overcome, he just is, and he’s not really interested in your pity or sympathy, as a reader.
Two passages really stand out:
we’re coming dangerously close to the conversations i’d have with maura, when she’d say she knew exactly what i was going through, and i’d have to explain that, no, she didn’t, because her sadness never went as deep as mine. i had no doubt that tiny thought he was depressed, but that was probably because he had nothing to compare it to. still, what could i say? that i didn’t just feel depressed — instead, it was like the depression was the core of me, of every part of me, from my mind to my bones? that if he got blue, i got black?
“” Anna recently discussed this issue in ‘Words, Language, Context,’ talking about the words we use to describe things and how they mean different things for different people depending on one’s frame of reference. Will Grayson has depression; when he talks about being depressed, this is what he means. That intensity of sadness so deep that you feel like you are never going to climb out. And this passage reflects a common frustration which some folks experience, where the words they use to describe their experience are used in ways which aren’t like their experiences, and seem to devalue their own experience as a result; calling a sad day ‘depression’ makes it sound like depression is a sad day which you can get over.
i think the idea of a ‘mental health day’ is something completely invented by people who have no clue what it’s like to have bad mental health. the idea that your mind can be aired out in twenty-four hours is kind of like saying heart disease can be cured if you eat the right breakfast cereal. mental health days only exist for people who have the luxury of saying ‘i don’t want to deal with things today’ and then can take the whole day off, while the rest of us are stuck fighting the fights we always fight, with no one really caring one way or the other…
“” This, too, speaks to me as a reader. It’s a very excellent challenge to the way in which language is used which gets readers to rethink language not by confronting them directly, but by letting the character have his own voice. Although I would note that people without mental illnesses can also benefit from days in which they don’t deal with things for a day and take some time out for themselves, though ‘mental health day’ is not quite the phrase I would use to describe such a day, personally.
Speaking of language, Will Grayson, Will Grayson is not perfect with respect to disability. It is heavily salted with ‘lame’ this and ‘lame’ that, which felt a little bit grating just because it always grates on me now and also because I was so chuffed with how the book handled disability that it felt almost like a betrayal to have ableist language cropping up everywhere.
Beyond that issue, though, this is a book which forces people to think about disability in some different ways, and to actually understand a character with depression, rather than viewing him as some sort of abstract object lesson. It may not have been perfectly executed, but Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a far cry from a lot of other work out there right now. Will Grayson, Will Grayson also has some gay characters who a. differ from stereotypes about gay teens and b. are actually allowed to be sexual, which is also rather delightful.
My Review of the Review:
I really enjoyed reading this review as it made me notice things about Will Grayson,Will Grayson that I had not noticed on my own. I share the belief that one of the best things about this novel is it's ability to depict depression as an illness that is accessible to readers. I spoke of this in my review of the book. I found the depiction to be realistic and also relatable not only to readers who may be dealing with a similiar illness, but for all readers. I also love how this review points out the fact that this novel does not ask readers to PITY or SYMPATHIZE for the depressed character, an issue found in many books pertaining to disabilities or illnesses. This is one of the reasons I especially enjoyed the book to begin with. One part of this review that confused me was their focus on using the term 'lame'. I did not even pick up on this while reader, and while I saw the term used while glancing back through the novel, I think that the reasoning for this was to be culturally relevant to the reader and to speak in terms that they would use in their everyday speech; not as disrespectful to those with disabilities.
Review found here! (quoted below)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green and David Levithan Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a young adult novel cowritten in a series of alternating chapters which narrate a series of events as they intersect with young love, musical theatre, and even Shrodinger’s cat. I’m not familiar with David Levithan, but I do known John Green’s work, and his writing voice is unmistakable here; crisp, witty, and also a bit quirky. There’s a reason the man is adored by legions of nerdfighters. It’s a good story, and it’s pretty well executed, but I would highly recommend it.
One thing about this book got me particularly excited and it’s that which I would like to focus on today. You can read reviews of this book in lots of places, so I’d rather explore a specific facet of the book which I found especially notable: Will Grayson, Will Grayson has a fabulous depiction of disability. This further supports my theory that young adult fiction tends to have better depictions of race, gender, sexuality, and disability than a lot of adult fiction and that some of this is a function of the author’s role not just as storyteller, but also as teacher. I love it when books have embedded commentary and when that commentary forces readers to rethink the way that they view something.
One of the eponymous Will Graysons of the title has depression. I’m not a fan of the typographical cutesyness of having his sections cast in lowercase type (to underscore the ennui, you know), but I do like the way that the character talks about depression. Because he does so in a way which I think makes depression more accessible and understandable to readers. His character isn’t built up as alien and odd; he’s one of the heroes of the story, and he avoids a lot of disability stereotypes. Not just avoids them, but actively deconstructs them and forces readers to do the same if they want to engage with the story.
He’s not tragic and he refuses to allow you to view him as tragic. Actually, the other Will Grayson feels like more of a tragic character to me. This is a nice shift from how these things usually go, where the character with depression is the sad and pitiful one and the story winds up being about how that character ‘overcomes.’ The Will Grayson with depression doesn’t overcome, he just is, and he’s not really interested in your pity or sympathy, as a reader.
Two passages really stand out:
we’re coming dangerously close to the conversations i’d have with maura, when she’d say she knew exactly what i was going through, and i’d have to explain that, no, she didn’t, because her sadness never went as deep as mine. i had no doubt that tiny thought he was depressed, but that was probably because he had nothing to compare it to. still, what could i say? that i didn’t just feel depressed — instead, it was like the depression was the core of me, of every part of me, from my mind to my bones? that if he got blue, i got black?
“” Anna recently discussed this issue in ‘Words, Language, Context,’ talking about the words we use to describe things and how they mean different things for different people depending on one’s frame of reference. Will Grayson has depression; when he talks about being depressed, this is what he means. That intensity of sadness so deep that you feel like you are never going to climb out. And this passage reflects a common frustration which some folks experience, where the words they use to describe their experience are used in ways which aren’t like their experiences, and seem to devalue their own experience as a result; calling a sad day ‘depression’ makes it sound like depression is a sad day which you can get over.
i think the idea of a ‘mental health day’ is something completely invented by people who have no clue what it’s like to have bad mental health. the idea that your mind can be aired out in twenty-four hours is kind of like saying heart disease can be cured if you eat the right breakfast cereal. mental health days only exist for people who have the luxury of saying ‘i don’t want to deal with things today’ and then can take the whole day off, while the rest of us are stuck fighting the fights we always fight, with no one really caring one way or the other…
“” This, too, speaks to me as a reader. It’s a very excellent challenge to the way in which language is used which gets readers to rethink language not by confronting them directly, but by letting the character have his own voice. Although I would note that people without mental illnesses can also benefit from days in which they don’t deal with things for a day and take some time out for themselves, though ‘mental health day’ is not quite the phrase I would use to describe such a day, personally.
Speaking of language, Will Grayson, Will Grayson is not perfect with respect to disability. It is heavily salted with ‘lame’ this and ‘lame’ that, which felt a little bit grating just because it always grates on me now and also because I was so chuffed with how the book handled disability that it felt almost like a betrayal to have ableist language cropping up everywhere.
Beyond that issue, though, this is a book which forces people to think about disability in some different ways, and to actually understand a character with depression, rather than viewing him as some sort of abstract object lesson. It may not have been perfectly executed, but Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a far cry from a lot of other work out there right now. Will Grayson, Will Grayson also has some gay characters who a. differ from stereotypes about gay teens and b. are actually allowed to be sexual, which is also rather delightful.
My Review of the Review:
I really enjoyed reading this review as it made me notice things about Will Grayson,Will Grayson that I had not noticed on my own. I share the belief that one of the best things about this novel is it's ability to depict depression as an illness that is accessible to readers. I spoke of this in my review of the book. I found the depiction to be realistic and also relatable not only to readers who may be dealing with a similiar illness, but for all readers. I also love how this review points out the fact that this novel does not ask readers to PITY or SYMPATHIZE for the depressed character, an issue found in many books pertaining to disabilities or illnesses. This is one of the reasons I especially enjoyed the book to begin with. One part of this review that confused me was their focus on using the term 'lame'. I did not even pick up on this while reader, and while I saw the term used while glancing back through the novel, I think that the reasoning for this was to be culturally relevant to the reader and to speak in terms that they would use in their everyday speech; not as disrespectful to those with disabilities.
Critical Review # 2
TH1RTEEN REASONS WHY: BOOK REVIEW 10 May 2012 by Jonathan Groff
The New York Times best selling novel for 57 weeks, Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, has stirred up some controversy since being published in 2007. The story is a dark one, revolving around Hannah Baker, a high school girl, who committed suicide prior to the opening of the novel. This is not a plot with a happy ending. It is not an attempt to save Hannah from suicide. She is already dead. Instead, the story is about Hannah’s desire to enlighten others about her reasons for suicide.
Coming home from school one day, Clay Jensen discovers 7 cassette tapes waiting for him, discreetly wrapped and mailed anonymously. Hannah has sent the tapes to those she believes to be at least partially responsible for her death. Threatened by public exposure that could lead to embarrassment, being ostracized, or even jail time, those featured on the tapes continue to pass them along to the next on the list, and now Clay finds himself with the tapes in his possession. As Clay listens to Hannah pour out her thoughts and feelings, the reader gets to hear her voice as well. As secrets are revealed, we begin to understand the impact our words and actions can have on others, even if we believe them to be innocuous.
There is no denying that Thirteen Reasons Why is dark in nature. As Meghan Cox Gurdon points out in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal, many contemporary fiction novels for teens are darker than they were a couple decades ago. Books for teens today often contain horrific images and topics. An article by Rob Brunner provides Asher’s response to Gurdon’s negative view of popular teen fiction, and provides an explanation why this darker material is so popular with teens today:
I always have a hard time finding the right word to describe the mood of the book [Thirteen Reasons Why]. It basically deals with this uncomfortable subject matter. It’s hard for anyone to bring up, even outside of fiction. But that’s why it needs to be talked about. I think that’s why teens read a lot of these things: because it isn’t talked about openly. Or if it is, it’s talked about in clichéd ways, like that article [by Gurdon]. You have to talk about these things openly and honestly and not just the clichés and the knee-jerk reaction.
Teens today long for someone to understand them. They are searching for adults who will listen without judgment. They need to know they are not alone in their thoughts and emotions. That is why these books have been popular with teens. Parents, teachers, and other adults who stop to consider this should come to the realization that our children need authors who will write about the topics that so many of us find to be dark and distasteful.
Thirteen Reasons Why is such a powerful text because it is one that everyone can identify with whether they have contemplated committing suicide or not. By writing the novel from both the perspective of Hannah, and Clay, Asher helps every reader connect with both perspectives: that of the victim, and also that of the bully. If we stop for a moment to be honest with ourselves, we can all think of people we may have hurt, purposefully, and likely inadvertently. Thirteen Reasons Why helps us to understand some of the possible consequences our words and actions could have on someone else. And those consequences don’t just include suicide. Prior to committing suicide, Hannah experienced a decline from a joyful life into one of depression. The betrayal, vengeance, lack of thoughtfulness, and other mistreatments suffered by Hannah have a snowball effect that gradually leads her to view suicide as her only escape. Reflecting upon the severity of the aftereffects, it is not enough for us to mitigate our actions and say that the possible consequences are not our fault. We don’t have a right to say that the victim should grow a backbone or toughen up; we can’t say that we didn’t know about their abusive upbringing, or the rough times they are going through. Asher helps us understand that we can never truly know everyone we come into contact with, thus we should always be careful with what we say and how we act.
Conversely, we have all also had experiences where we have been the victim. We have all been hurt by others. In some regards this book can help us understand that sometimes the pain that is caused is unintentional, which may help us move past the incident with forgiveness or at least understanding. But more importantly, Asher helps us know that we are not alone. Others have been hurt before and others will hurt after us. There’s a small comfort to be had in knowing we are not the only ones to face the hardships we currently endure. Asher also presents the reader with some options to deal with the problem of being the victim. While things didn’t improve for Hannah, the reader may realize some solutions they may not otherwise contemplate, such as talking with a councillor, opening up to family, or confiding in friends. Hannah provides us with a look at what could happen if we don’t try hard enough to find a solution that works for us, while Clay allows us to see that suicide is final, and it ends all the possibilities that could have existed to find happiness.
Unfortunately, some readers struggle to fully comprehend the reality of teen suicide. It’s often too simple to blame the victim as weak or flawed. It’s too simple to say that no one should ever feel suicide is a valid option. It’s too simple to accuse Asher of creating an unrealistic plot and characterization. But I urge every single reader to please step back and consider the power of words and actions, especially on a developing teenager. Especially on someone who experiences repeated disappointment. Especially on someone who does not have the benefits of a loving family and network of friends. Teen suicide is real! You might see it as weakness or illness or whatever, but does that justify allowing these hurting, vulnerable children to simply give up on life? I implore you not to deny the believability of this story.
With the movie rights already sold to Universal Studios (on February 8, 2011) and casting finished, the impact of Thirteen Reasons Why is primed to reach a much wider audience. I, for one, look forward to seeing some positive changes in the world as these characters touch the lives of moviegoers and readers alike. But I shudder to think of the potential fallout that is possible from those who refuse to see teen suicide as a problem. What about you? Will you be a believer? Will you stand up for those who can no longer stand up for themselves? Allow this story to touch your life as it has for so many of the readers who have sent letters of thanks to Jay Asher.
TH1RTEEN REASONS WHY: BOOK REVIEW 10 May 2012 by Jonathan Groff
The New York Times best selling novel for 57 weeks, Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, has stirred up some controversy since being published in 2007. The story is a dark one, revolving around Hannah Baker, a high school girl, who committed suicide prior to the opening of the novel. This is not a plot with a happy ending. It is not an attempt to save Hannah from suicide. She is already dead. Instead, the story is about Hannah’s desire to enlighten others about her reasons for suicide.
Coming home from school one day, Clay Jensen discovers 7 cassette tapes waiting for him, discreetly wrapped and mailed anonymously. Hannah has sent the tapes to those she believes to be at least partially responsible for her death. Threatened by public exposure that could lead to embarrassment, being ostracized, or even jail time, those featured on the tapes continue to pass them along to the next on the list, and now Clay finds himself with the tapes in his possession. As Clay listens to Hannah pour out her thoughts and feelings, the reader gets to hear her voice as well. As secrets are revealed, we begin to understand the impact our words and actions can have on others, even if we believe them to be innocuous.
There is no denying that Thirteen Reasons Why is dark in nature. As Meghan Cox Gurdon points out in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal, many contemporary fiction novels for teens are darker than they were a couple decades ago. Books for teens today often contain horrific images and topics. An article by Rob Brunner provides Asher’s response to Gurdon’s negative view of popular teen fiction, and provides an explanation why this darker material is so popular with teens today:
I always have a hard time finding the right word to describe the mood of the book [Thirteen Reasons Why]. It basically deals with this uncomfortable subject matter. It’s hard for anyone to bring up, even outside of fiction. But that’s why it needs to be talked about. I think that’s why teens read a lot of these things: because it isn’t talked about openly. Or if it is, it’s talked about in clichéd ways, like that article [by Gurdon]. You have to talk about these things openly and honestly and not just the clichés and the knee-jerk reaction.
Teens today long for someone to understand them. They are searching for adults who will listen without judgment. They need to know they are not alone in their thoughts and emotions. That is why these books have been popular with teens. Parents, teachers, and other adults who stop to consider this should come to the realization that our children need authors who will write about the topics that so many of us find to be dark and distasteful.
Thirteen Reasons Why is such a powerful text because it is one that everyone can identify with whether they have contemplated committing suicide or not. By writing the novel from both the perspective of Hannah, and Clay, Asher helps every reader connect with both perspectives: that of the victim, and also that of the bully. If we stop for a moment to be honest with ourselves, we can all think of people we may have hurt, purposefully, and likely inadvertently. Thirteen Reasons Why helps us to understand some of the possible consequences our words and actions could have on someone else. And those consequences don’t just include suicide. Prior to committing suicide, Hannah experienced a decline from a joyful life into one of depression. The betrayal, vengeance, lack of thoughtfulness, and other mistreatments suffered by Hannah have a snowball effect that gradually leads her to view suicide as her only escape. Reflecting upon the severity of the aftereffects, it is not enough for us to mitigate our actions and say that the possible consequences are not our fault. We don’t have a right to say that the victim should grow a backbone or toughen up; we can’t say that we didn’t know about their abusive upbringing, or the rough times they are going through. Asher helps us understand that we can never truly know everyone we come into contact with, thus we should always be careful with what we say and how we act.
Conversely, we have all also had experiences where we have been the victim. We have all been hurt by others. In some regards this book can help us understand that sometimes the pain that is caused is unintentional, which may help us move past the incident with forgiveness or at least understanding. But more importantly, Asher helps us know that we are not alone. Others have been hurt before and others will hurt after us. There’s a small comfort to be had in knowing we are not the only ones to face the hardships we currently endure. Asher also presents the reader with some options to deal with the problem of being the victim. While things didn’t improve for Hannah, the reader may realize some solutions they may not otherwise contemplate, such as talking with a councillor, opening up to family, or confiding in friends. Hannah provides us with a look at what could happen if we don’t try hard enough to find a solution that works for us, while Clay allows us to see that suicide is final, and it ends all the possibilities that could have existed to find happiness.
Unfortunately, some readers struggle to fully comprehend the reality of teen suicide. It’s often too simple to blame the victim as weak or flawed. It’s too simple to say that no one should ever feel suicide is a valid option. It’s too simple to accuse Asher of creating an unrealistic plot and characterization. But I urge every single reader to please step back and consider the power of words and actions, especially on a developing teenager. Especially on someone who experiences repeated disappointment. Especially on someone who does not have the benefits of a loving family and network of friends. Teen suicide is real! You might see it as weakness or illness or whatever, but does that justify allowing these hurting, vulnerable children to simply give up on life? I implore you not to deny the believability of this story.
With the movie rights already sold to Universal Studios (on February 8, 2011) and casting finished, the impact of Thirteen Reasons Why is primed to reach a much wider audience. I, for one, look forward to seeing some positive changes in the world as these characters touch the lives of moviegoers and readers alike. But I shudder to think of the potential fallout that is possible from those who refuse to see teen suicide as a problem. What about you? Will you be a believer? Will you stand up for those who can no longer stand up for themselves? Allow this story to touch your life as it has for so many of the readers who have sent letters of thanks to Jay Asher.
My Review of the Review
I agree with some aspects of this review, while I disagree to a great extent with others. I applaud the author of this review for asking that potential readers of this book to not blow off the idea that teen suicide is a growing issue. I obviously agree that it is a problem that deserves attention, which is why I chose to study these pieces of young adult literature. I also agree with the review that teens can relate to this novel and it's characters whether they have experienced depression or suicide. Yet one reason the author gives for this is that the story is told through the eyes of the victim (Hannah) and also the bully (Clay). The issue I have with this is that Clay was never a bully, even unknowingly. It is revealed that the only reason he is included in the tapes is because Hannah wants to apologize to him, not because she faults him for her death in any way. Also, this review states that although things didn't work out for Hannah readers may see solutions to their own problems in Hannah's actions. The example they give is going to a counselor. The point when Hannah sees a counselor in the novel it goes terribly. This is actually the moment that she decides she has no choice but to take her own life. I do not think that moments like this would inspire other teens to seek help or take actions that didn't work out for Hannah. The most problematic aspect of the review is the line that states, Hannah shows us what could happen if we don't try hard enough to find a solution that works for us. Hannah did try and tried to reach out, stating that she shows us what happens if we don't try hard enough seems to imply that she didn't and even more of an issue is the fact that this implies that someone in real life who takes their own life did not try hard enough to find a solution for their own life.
I agree with some aspects of this review, while I disagree to a great extent with others. I applaud the author of this review for asking that potential readers of this book to not blow off the idea that teen suicide is a growing issue. I obviously agree that it is a problem that deserves attention, which is why I chose to study these pieces of young adult literature. I also agree with the review that teens can relate to this novel and it's characters whether they have experienced depression or suicide. Yet one reason the author gives for this is that the story is told through the eyes of the victim (Hannah) and also the bully (Clay). The issue I have with this is that Clay was never a bully, even unknowingly. It is revealed that the only reason he is included in the tapes is because Hannah wants to apologize to him, not because she faults him for her death in any way. Also, this review states that although things didn't work out for Hannah readers may see solutions to their own problems in Hannah's actions. The example they give is going to a counselor. The point when Hannah sees a counselor in the novel it goes terribly. This is actually the moment that she decides she has no choice but to take her own life. I do not think that moments like this would inspire other teens to seek help or take actions that didn't work out for Hannah. The most problematic aspect of the review is the line that states, Hannah shows us what could happen if we don't try hard enough to find a solution that works for us. Hannah did try and tried to reach out, stating that she shows us what happens if we don't try hard enough seems to imply that she didn't and even more of an issue is the fact that this implies that someone in real life who takes their own life did not try hard enough to find a solution for their own life.