By Ann Napolitano
This book has so many great things going for it, and is a fresh topic in our current flood of historical fiction from World War II and psychological thrillers. There is tragedy from a plane crash, and things keep getting more complicated from there.
Edward is the sole survivor from a plane crash claiming 191 lives, including his brother beside whom he sat, and their parents. From this book, we experience his journey to physically heal, and accompany the road to mental stasis – can one ever truly heal from such a thing? That idea is explored, along with survivor’s guilt, mourning, and also growing out of adolescence in outrageous circumstances.
In Edward’s eventual search for answers, we learn that the truth is never as concrete or simple as one hopes, but it can be very satisfying in its complexity and poignancy if we dare to pursue it.
I also enjoyed the celebration of adolescents who are “different” from the pack, and often find themselves smarter than even the adults in the room with them. Napolitano creates a treasure of relatabilty in the neighbors next door, and the experiences they endure alongside Edward. There is a wonderful “village” that helps Edward move forward, sometimes at a snail’s pace, and other’s faster than lightning. At the same time, she details how in our world we can over relate to people we see in the news, selfishly thinking we have a right to them, their choices, and their future, because we see them so often in the media.
We want Edward to win, but we understand why he struggles. We also understand and sympathize with the family and friends around him and those 191 souls, and their continued effects radiating outward.
Soundtrack
Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk
Numb by Linkin Park
Secrets and I Lived by OneRepublic
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Finally a book that has the main character suffer unspeakable trauma without immediately turning to drugs or other abusive behavior
- So many poignant moments – anything having to do with the character Besa and most vignettes with Shay
- So much illustration of loss, grief, healing, and peace through every relationship in the book
Cons
- Trouble believing any parent would allow a strange boy to sleep in their home in their daughter’s room, ever, let alone a prolonged amount of time
- A bit of a “money solves everything” ending, but didn’t throw me off enough to not like any of it