Shoud I stay or should I go? (If I Stay - Gayle Forman)

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	If I Stay - Gayle Forman
Date:	25/05/09 (164 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Powerful book with an unusual narrative

Disadvantages: None

I had never heard of Gayle Forman prior to reading this book. She is a journalist whose first book was a travelogue about travelling the world. As a journalist, one of her first jobs was writing for a magazine for teenagers, so by writing teen fiction she states she feels she has came full circle.

Already on track for a film adaptation, this teen drama captures one day in the life of 17 year old talented cellist Mia, in the aftermath of a car crash which kills both her parents and her younger brother.

What makes this book unusual is that it is narrated by Mia from an out-of-body perspective. She watches as her relations come to visit her in the hospital and waits impatiently for her rock musician boyfriend Adam, to visit.

Laced throughout the narrative are flashbacks which explain her unconventional relationship with Adam, her parents and brother Teddy, and her love of classical music.
As Mia watches herself being taken in and out of intensive care for life-saving operations, she considers whether life is worth living without her family, and ultimately, she has to choose whether she wants to live or die, and go through to the next life to be with her parents and brother.

There are also powerful portraits from Mia's friend Kim, and boyfriend Adam as he speaks to Mia whilst she lies in a coma in her hospital bed : "Just listen," Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel. I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen. "Stay," he says.

I really like the way this powerful and emotional story is told, and although it is quite sad it also has some funny parts too as Mia reflects on her life prior to the accident. It made me both laugh and cry whilst reading it. The story really comes alive as Mia watches her grandparents, boyfriend and friend at her bedside and recounts their histories whilst watching their reactions.
The characters are well-developed and I found myself warming to them, especially Mia's parents.

Although it is aimed at teenagers of age 14 and upwards, I was actually given this book to read by another adult and thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently there are just as many adults reading it as there are teenagers!

It is also not a long story at just over 200 pages, but still grips you and is quite different to any book I have read in a long time. I do usually prefer to read a longer book than this and thought the length of it may put me off, but I have to say it did not spoil anything at all, and after reading it I felt it was the right length and a thought-provoking read. Although it is about death it is not at all depressing, it is quite uplifting and beautifully written.

If I Stay is a beautifully written, heart- breaking look at love and loss, and the difficult decisions we have to make. I would recommend this to adults as well as teens.

The book is available to buy from Amazon at £6.23 new (hardback) and used from £3.74
Publisher - Doubleday
ISBN -10 0385616201

Summary: A book that appeals to both teens and adults