If you’ve already read this book, you know exactly what we’re getting ready to discuss.
You have Theodore (Finch) and Violet. They are the two main characters of the story…and they are also the two we find at the beginning of the novel…getting ready to jump from the bell tower of their school. The two come from totally different worlds. Violet is rather popular while Finch is considered the freak of the school. In a rare moment of clarity, Finch realizes what would happen to Violet should people realize she’s thinking of jumping, and he pulls her to safety effectively stopping HIS thoughts of jumping…for the time being.
From that moment on, it seems as though Finch has found a new fascination in Violet. He’s around her during school, they find one another on social media, and they even wind up having to do a class project together that will ultimately make them not only study their hometown, but also each other. Still through all of this, and even as the two get closer to one another, Finch continues to research all the different forms of suicides and even goes into statistics over what percentage of each form actually works.
Finch also goes through the book talking about periods of his life that he considers “awake” times and “asleep” times. During the “awake” times, he’s full of life, he can talk normally to his peers, and he interacts with everyone around him. During the “asleep” times, he finds himself unable to communicate, he pretty much locks himself inside of himself, and he finds that when he comes out of these spells, he can’t remember what happened during them.
Violet seems to be the key to everything. He’s never stayed in an “awake” time this long and he knows it has to be because of her. He also finds that they are growing closer to one another but one phrase seems to be getting in the way “Just be careful”. It drives into Finch’s head over and over again, driving him slowly to the brink of insanity.
Violet also has her own set of problems. Namely a specific even that happened in her past that has traumatized and haunted her for quite some time. It’s one of the main reasons she was up on the bell tower to begin with.
That being said, I’m having a really hard time processing this book. I finished it a while ago and I still feel like my heart has been shattered. I knew, going into this, what the book was about and somewhat of how the story would go, but I wasn’t prepared.
From the outside looking in there seemed to be so many signs how the ending would be, but often times those signs may be, and were, ignored.
My heart was broken, not for Finch’s family, friends, or even Violet. My heart broke for Finch himself. For what could have been, for what was going through his head, for all the emptiness and pain he dealt with on a day to day basis.
Everyone should read this book. It’s powerful in ways that will really make you stop and think. Think about how your actions, your words, are perceived by others. Make someone smile…don’t belittle them or call them harsh names. You don’t know what that person may be going through.
And if you ever feel as though there isn’t a choice…know that there is. If you ever suspect someone may be contemplating what Finch was…get them help. There are numbers in the back of this book that can prove helpful to many…use them! We, as a community of book lovers, tend to see things and feel things on a level that most may not. Open your eyes and make a difference in the world.
You may be the smile someone needs today.
You guys are awesome and beautiful, smart, handsome, and kind. Have a truly beautiful day wherever you are and know that you matter always.
And…as always…happy reading.
Suicide Prevention: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org (1-800-273-TALK)
Bullying: www.stompoutbullying.com www.stopbullying.gov
Abuse: National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD)
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