I found the plot to be interesting not only because it was a sort of mystery, but also because of the way it was told. I liked how the author wrote what was on the tapes, and then inserted Clay's dialogue and memories between the lines. The author also held my attention by not making the answers obvious, but rather, waiting until the very final chapter to tie all of the characters and stories together.
Although getting voted "nicest ass in the freshman class" may not seen very significant, the author did a good job of making simple events pile up, and eventually show the gradual hatred Hannah began to feel. Furthermore, although Asher used simple language in the novel, no eloquent vocabulary was necessary to capture the emotions portrayed in the novel.
Thirteen Reasons Why ~ Jay Asher
ReplyDeleteWhen brainstorming books to read with my group for the Independent Reading Project we started out with "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief", but that was deemed to easy of a read for us. We then moved to "Kite Runner", and didn't think we were in the mood for such a heavy and sad read. In the end our group split up and two decided to read "Glass Castles" while the other two, including myself joined onto another group to begin reading Jay Asher's "Thirteen Reason Why."
Beginning this book I was not fully aware of what I was getting myself into, the people I had talked to who read the book said they finished it in one day and it was amazing, so I kept my fingers cross that I would be just as enthusiastic about it. Even after reading just 35 pages of the novel, I can get an incredible glimpse into the wonderful story that will unfold. Not only have I, the reader, formed a personal connection to the main character's but I feel as though I have formed a connection with all the characters. One of the main characters, Hannah Baker, is a teenager who had recently committed suicide. Immediately before she commits the tragic act she sends out boxes of cassette tapes recording stories of the people who influenced her to end her life.
The set of tapes that are first listened to, are taken in by Clay Jenson, who arrived home from school only to find a shoebox with the cassettes inside of it. When he innocently popped in the first tape "Cassette 1: Side A" he begins a 24 hour adventure around his town to discover Hannah life before losing it. When Clay first puts in the tape he hears "Hello, boys and girls. Hannah Baker here. Live and in Stereo... I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why." Those are the first lines Hannah Baker drops on her classmates, and just like that I was hooked.
I didn't understand how someone could tell her prior friends that, I didn't understand the mindset of someone who would commit suicide, I didn't understand Hannah Baker, at all. And so I began reading, I read to uncover the secrets of a suicidal teenager and the whole time it made me think about people at my school. I thought of how in the even the smallest remarks or actions build up until the burst, and push someone to their breaking point.
I thank the author for the first 35 pages of this book. Jay Asher got into the mindset of a teenage girl and wrote a novel that I consider to be unclassifiable. It could generally be put under the genre of ‘young-adult fiction’ but through the diction and plot of the story, I would so far consider it to be a ‘young-adult suspense mystery romance psychology short story fiction’ novel. Just in the first 35 pages of the book I have been curious to find out what new entanglement Hannah Baker has gotten herself into, to see if Jay Asher could continue to depict high school and teenagers so spot-on, or keep making the different stories somehow intertwine, but most importantly I have been curious to just keep reading.
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ReplyDeleteI’d heard about the novel, each review being positive and jazzed about how wonderful the book was to them. I was thrilled, absolutely excited to begin such a well loved story. Even the cover, although they say to not judge a book by its own, welcomed me in, slyly wrapping its arms around me until I was stuck in the novel and could not put it down. The novel I am currently reading is Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher.
ReplyDeleteI do admit, when I began the first page I was a bit apprehensive. I was not sure whether I liked the idea of the novel slipping back and forth from different characters thoughts, especially because some were living and one was dead; it was slightly confusing. I soon found that this way of writing really went well with the tone and mood of the novel and enhanced it greatly. I have learned to love the book. The story so far has turned out to be more than I had expected, in fact it is slowly blowing my mind. It holds a kind of mystery that draws the reader in, and then it keeps them involved in the novel because the characters are average kids dealing with issues that every teen has been fascinated by. Yet, what adds to the captivation is that the problems described--suicide, love, abandonment, acceptance, and discovering ones true self, are told through unique scenarios that do not typically occur in an average persons life but are not impossible to imagine. It is interesting because the reader does not feel too emotionally wrapped up in the story so that it would deeply affect their own life, but one still does feel as if they are walking along side the characters. Silently, the reader observes the life of a dead girl, Hannah Baker, and the living boy, Clay Jenson, who is listening to Hannah explain her life to him through cassette tapes recorded before her suicide.
Overall, I am thoroughly enjoying the story and cannot wait to finish it! Not for the satisfying feeling of completing a book, but for the sole reason of wrapping up a well told story.
Thirteen reasons why is the fastest page turner I have ever read! The story takes place all in one night, after Clay Jensen receives a package of 13 tapes from his former classmate Hannah Baker recorded as to why she committed suicide. Each chapter follows Clay listening to a different tape, and using a map that accompanied the tape, makes his way around the entire town.
ReplyDeleteThe way that the book is written is very captivating and makes you want to read more. Adding to that the plot supplies the intriguing substance for how it is written. Jay Asher set the book up so each chapter consists of one tape and following Clay around where ever the map leads him for that tape. This does make the chapters inconsistent in length, but does make it easy to stop at the end of a chapter. The plot is very appealing, easy to follow and really puts you in the shoes of Clay. The idea of leaving tapes behind as to why you committed suicide is not something I have ever heard of, and though it makes for a good plot, I'm not sure it is believable.
hough I was told it wasn't, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher definitley was chick lit. There's no denying it. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing! It is not cliche chick lit. It's a riveting plot line that combines mystery, romance, and tragedy. Before she kills herself, Hannah Baker makes 13 tapes, and sends the set to the 13 people who caused her to take her own life. The story is narrated by Clay Jensen after he receives the tapes. The whole story takes place in one night, switching between Clay's thoughts and actions and Hannah's voice on the tapes. Through the course of the night, Clay visits all the places Hannah talks about in the tapes using a map she left and follows her life through her final weeks. Underneath the fluffy romance and -dovey aspects of a chick-lit, there was substantial and captivating content & ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis story was so captivating because it was so open about a topic that is generally considered taboo and not often discussed. That topic is suicide. In society suicide is a very delicate subject that is definitley not an everyday topic of discussion. Some people even consider suicide disgraceful and something that should bring shame upon one's family. But Jay Asher writes the book so that suicide is the main focus and nurtures the idea that it is something that should be talked about. He makes the characters seem incredibly guilty, making it seem that it could have been prevented if someone had just reached out to her. The book discusses Hannah's feelings leading up to the tragedy, and Asher does a great job of making those feelings relatable. The story is made even more tragic by the fact Hannah was obviously displaying signs of depression but no one reached out to help her.
I would recommend this book to other students in our class. Whoever reads this book should be able to handle mature themes, because Jay Asher was so open about the topic of suicide that it might disturb some younger or less mature students. But if you can handle it, pick this book up! Especially if you love non-cliche chick lit.
Agreeing with what was said above, the bottom line is that the captivating plot makes the book. I have never read any other book like it and its unique-ness makes me want to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteThe time and place of when the book starts is one of the main components. If the book had started a month or so earlier, the storyline would be completely different. We would be reading just another book about a pretty girl living out her high school career. It being told from two different points of view adds to the mystery and makes the book what it is. Having Hannah's voice narrating the past and her thoughts at the time is very emotional. At times it seems wrong for me to be hearing the thoughts of a girl who is going to commit suicide in the near future, but adds the element of suspense. I know reading along, what is going to happen but have yet to receive the puzzle pieces of where, when, why and other elements that lead up to the ending of a girl's life. I am constantly searching to find the last pieces as I breeze through the pages of the mystery. Though, I do like the fact that it is not just a mystery, but a mystery hidden along the lines of a normal high school. That also scares me because it seems like something that could be happening right in my own school.
With the unique aspects and captivating page-turning, this book is "money". Its plot is backed up and realistic and the characters are easy to follow along and learn more about. I will keep putting together the puzzle as I finish out the last one-hundred and fourteen pages of this appealing novel!
13 Reasons Why is, just how Katie described it, a unique and captivating book. Throughout the pages of this novel Jay Asher continues to surprise the reader with constant additions to the every-thickening plot. It seems as though each of the characters that have been chosen, have some sort of connection to all the other people in the story and each of the relationships become tangled to create an intricate and riveting real life novel.
ReplyDeleteTo think of all the ways in which we, as students and people, have connections to those around us is an incredibly complex concept. Jay Asher has so far shown his ability to first create characters that portray some of the stereotypical teenage students as to connect with all people who indulge in his book. After he has cast his lines with the readers, he begins to reel them in by taking their relatable character and intertwining his or her relationships with all the other characters. The real life take on this depressing novel makes the events all the more influential and allows me to feel more interested in learning how even ordinary relationships could lead to someone’s suicide.
It is also interesting how the author takes the small details of Hannah Baker’s life and shows that everything in life affects you, but it is under our control to choose how much and how. Hannah Baker chose consistently to either allow situations to affect her negatively or use them to her advantage, leading to devastation. Such as the time in which Hannah decides to spy on one of her friends to see if he has stolen her ‘positive comment notes,’ after she finds that he has, she allows it to add to her reasons for committing suicide. Often times, the events that affected Hannah, would be something that could easily roll off someone’s shoulder, and I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about psychology and my ability to ultimately choose the outcome of my life and self. I will not, and cannot begin to imagine not having any more pages of the story to read after becoming so attached to the characters and not yet having a sense of resolution. In the end I hope that all of the tangled relationships will become much clearer, but based on Asher’s mysterious style of writing I feel as though I will never know the concrete truth. And maybe that is how it should be.
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ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Katie. I think death and suicide are concepts that are difficult to imagine, yet simultaneously it is so easy to. I’m sure there is a point in everybody’s life when they think, “Ug! I want to kill myself!” but I do not believe that every time a person has that thought that he/she is really considering the idea. This is a dark topic, a topic that people don’t typically discuss. That is what make’s it a mystery, and that is what draws the reader in.
ReplyDeleteI am in LOVE with this style writing, switching from perspectives of a living boy and a girl who has passed. Yet, then again, at times I absolutely hate it for the confusion it brings. I remember when I first began the story, I was constantly finding myself re-reading full pages because I had gotten so mixed up as to who was speaking. Now, I find myself deep into the novel and am being thrilled by it constantly.
Cassette 3: Side B, page 120. That is the section I would like to discuss. Cassette 3: Side B begins with the topic of Valentine’s Day. What a perfect topic! To some, it’s a drag, a nightmare, and a horrific day of icky, gooey love. To others, it’s wonderful and magical and adorably romantic. And then there are the people right in-between. Hannah, the narrator, is in-between. Hannah describes, relaxed, “And yes, I did fill out my survey. I’ve been a sucker for surveys my whole life. If you ever caught me reading one of those teen magazines, I swear, it wasn’t for the makeup tips. It was for the surveys,”(Asher 120). Her passive attitude just cracks me up! These kids, each one that listens to the tape they receive, must be walking around freaking out and she just calmly explains how she loves surveys. Although I do appreciate the amount of voice and the “chill” attitude that shines through this cassette at this particular moment, there is a more technical reason as to why I picked this quote to share. I found her using the words “my whole life” interesting. This is a common phrase one hears, but coming from her lips it sounds odd because she is the one who will soon be taking her own life. So I wonder, is Hannah speaking this phrase as if she is reminiscing her past and her “whole life” will be ending the next day, as if she is practically dead already and speaking an autobiography? Or, are her words being spoken, using this casual tone, with the idea of an open-ended future and a lack of worry over the fact that her life will be coming to a close the next day. Is there even any reason behind Hannah’s words?
I found this book, more than anything, to be very moving. Hannah Baker wanted ONE person to reach out to her...to make her feel wanted. It made me realize that there are people similar to Hannah walking in the crowded hallways of schools everyday. After reading this novel, I now have a better understanding of how ones actions can deeply effect those around him/her. In a way, I see the selfishness and arrogance of everyone, as they believe they are subject to certain ways, and therefore talking to an outsider would be considered abnormal. But what if saying hello to someone you normally didn't talk to, saved their life? What if complimenting someone to their face, changed their perspective on life? What if, telling someone you care about them, made their day?
ReplyDeleteJay Asher's biggest strength was showing us {the readers} that one act of kindness, as simple as it may seem, can mean the world to someone else. You don't have to write them a love letter, you just have to say hello. Unknowingly, you may have saved someones life.
Some of the events in the book may seem unrealistic, or it may seem as though Hannah Overreacted. But really, can I say she over reacted? No, I cannot. I cannot sit here and critique Hannah's choices, for I am not Hannah Baker. She was living in misery, misery that came from loss of hope, loss of interest, loss of privacy and love. As she so clearly stated in one of her tapes...one person could have changed her mind.
More than anything else in the book, the fact that Hannah showed such clear signs of being suicidal, and still, no one reached out to her really stood out to me. We learn in school the signs that one may show, and as we sit in class thinking "With such clear signs, I would defiantly know if someone was suicidal and find help for them" this may not be the case. As expressed in the novel, the signs can be SO CLEAR, though sometimes it is hard to recognize the difference between innocent change in one's appearance, and dark thoughts behind one's new look.
ReplyDeleteReading "13 Reasons Why" has forced me to think deeper about society today...and what I would do if one of my peers were expressing similar behaviors as Hannah's. Would I recognize them as suicidal thoughts? Or would I simply think they changed their appearance for fun? I feel that even if a person recognizes certain signs, they would be hesitant to reach out in fear that their assumption is incorrect. You cannot simply walk up to someone and say, "your behavior suggests that you may have thoughts of suicide, may I help you?". Therefore, for kids our age, we may be too embarrassed or scared to approach someone in the proper way, or we may not know how to reach out to someone correctly.
For this reason, young children should not only be taught the signs one may express, but what to do after they have come to the conclusion that someone may be suicidal.
I do not blame the characters in Hannah's book for her death, they probably did not recognize the signs. But in our world today, it is our job as friends and peers to look out for one another and report ANY behavior that seems unusual. Our assumptions may be wrong, but what if we're right? We could have just saved someone's life.
As I have already admitted, I really enjoyed this book! Though part of me wishes it could have gone on longer, or that more emphasis was put on the importance of the main character. In the end, everyone's stories intertwine perfectly, but I cant help but wish their was something more dramatic within the relationship between Hannah and Clay. There was so much intensity leading up to the final chapters, and Jay Asher had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know how innocent Clay fit into her story...and although I liked it, the ending could have been more dramatic.
ReplyDeleteAsher's plot is truly original, and with no real complaints, I closed the book perfectly satisfied. Though as I sit, think back and critique...I realize certain parts that could have been made clearer or more detailed. As a reader, I would have gladly read another hundred pages if each situation Hannah endured was longer and more concise.
This would have been difficult, for Hannah was simply recalling events, though minor details such as what her parents thought would have been nice. Furthermore, although the ending was strong, it would have been interesting if for a moment, Hannah took a step back and talked about the things she would miss out on. Well, maybe she didnt think she would miss anything. But even a list of things such as not graduating, not getting married,not having kids, missing her parents ect would have made the ending even more dramatic and realistic.
To future classmates looking for an independent reading novel, I would certainly recommend the book "13 Reasons Why". The novel has a plot unlike any other, and one that is very interesting. Not only is the plot interesting, but the way the book is written is also unique. The passages in the book switch off between the narrator and the tapes..keeping the reader hanging onto every word. Character development could have been stronger for some, though as each page is turned, you begin to get to know each character and how they act..for they are heard of again in later pages.
ReplyDelete"13 Reasons Why" by Jay Asher is a very, very good book. I read it in one day, for the story takes place within 24 hours. The book and story are not very long, so it makes for a quick read...though one finishes the book as satisfied as if they had just finished a 3000 page novel. The book may be quick, but the seriousness of the book should not be taken lightly. The book deals with a girl who committed suicide, and left tapes for those who she believed caused her to end her life. I do not recommend this novel to anyone who is too immature to handle the seriousness of suicide, or one who cannot handle books dealing with emotional topics. The story is not written in a gross, gut-wrenching way...though behind each word that Hannah Baker speaks, there is much intensity.
I loved the novel, and I would definitely recommend it to future readers looking for something unique and original! You will not be disappointed!
Agreeing with Morgan (2 posts above), I think it is so sad when not one person can recognize that a peer is going to commit suicide. But wouldn’t you also be able to recognize if you had influenced the death?
ReplyDeleteThe thirteen people who influenced Hannah's decision to take her life, were unable to notice what was happening until after she was gone. Everything they were doing was influencing her and not one of them noticed. These people played the worst role of the game, the "Monday Morning Quarterback". They were unable to realize, until after the fact, what the reactions of their actions were. But doesn't that happen to all of us sometimes? Yes, but not after one of our peers has committed suicide. Then all we can do is sit there an reminisce on what we have done or said, thinking “I wish I didn’t say that” or “I wish I didn’t do that”. In this situation, it seems that it was at such a higher level. As the reader, it is unknown if any of the 13 peers even recognized what they had done or how they influenced Hannah’s death until they received the tapes.
After reading much of the book, one of the most important lessons is learned: Think about what you say before you say it, think about what you do before you do it, and don’t be the Monday morning quarterback. In the context that they are learned in, these 3 lessons go hand in hand. I thought they were pretty cliché, but when you realize what could happen when they are not done; these actions are not taken lightly. When these are taken into consideration, and who they could have affected is also taken into consideration, a life could be saved.
My recommendation goes in strongly to this captivating, emotional and page turning novel. It merges realistic young adult fiction with a mystery, which keeps you on your toes but in a real setting. It is told from two different points of view which makes you slow down a little during the reading but shows two perspectives of the same idea throughout the book. The first half is not as intense as the second half, and it does get more somber towards the end. As you follow Clay Jensen in his struggle to find out where he fits in, you end up all around the town for a night following a set of 13 tapes and a map, left behind by his late classmate, Hannah Baker.
ReplyDeleteThough it seems like a fun, pass-the-time book, "Thirteen Reasons Why" has a very emotional side. It takes you on a roller coaster, through: shock, sadness, sympathy and confusion. It also deals with a tough subject: suicide. It is certainly not too mature of a subject for a teenager but does bring new realities that are not thought of or known about how a teen can go through suicide. It displays the effects on the victim’s peers and what can happen when no one is kind enough to turn a head. At the end of reading, it gives you a new perspective on suicide, life and the people around you. This book deserves a 8.9 because it keeps you wanting more from every page and teaches you how to take a good look at your own life.
Hmmm, you are all very convincing. Does anyone have a copy I can borrow?
ReplyDeleteI love how this story is written. It's an interesting perspective, switching between Clay's experiences and some of Hannah Baker's final words, coming to life through the tapes and haunting the 13 people they were given to. At times it was confusing though. And it was also hard to follow where Clay was at certain points in the night. Another thing that confused me was how interwoven the 13 stories were. I found it difficult to follow it all and make the necessary connections. Though its horrible what happened to her, I think it’s incredibly interesting that Hannah left behind the tapes. I still can’t fathom why she left them though. Didn’t she know she would basically be destroying the recipient’s lives? Didn’t she realize the people who heard these tapes would never be able to sleep without thinking about what they did? That they would forever hear Hannah’s voice telling them how they caused her to kill herself? If I had received those tapes, I wouldn’t be able to eat or talk or sleep or think or function in any way. And it would be impossible for me to pass them on, even if I knew there was a second copy that would be sent to them anyways, subjecting the next person to that horrible pain that will be with them forever.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with Morgan (7 posts above, the one discussing how Hannah showed obvious signs of suicidal thoughts). It made me so sad when Hannah left the note in the discussion box that said, “I’m thinking of committing suicide”. Nothing screams HELP! more than that does. And if I recall correctly, her classmate even knew it was her who had left the note. AND STILL NO ONE REACHED OUT TO HER! They complained that it was selfish of the note-leaver not to give more details, like their name. It seemed they thought it wasn’t very serious, which deeply saddens me. Suicide should never ever be taken jokingly. She left other obvious signs, like not being herself and drastically changing her physical appearance. Her classmates knew these were signs of a suicidal person. They should have spoken up or notified someone that something was up when she chopped off all of her hair. I know people say “I just want to die right now” or “im going to kill myself” as a joke when something troublesome or difficult has happened to them, especially when they have a lot of homework or stuff to do. I think that’s so wrong. Depression and suicide are not things to joke about. If one suspects suicidal thoughts, proper actions should be taken to prevent tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThe comments made by Anna, Katie, and Morgan, are all incredibly valid and true. This book, like it did Morgan, made me think about the true influence a small act of kindness can be. It also proved to me that it is not always the big events in one's life that could turn into another large event. Sometimes all of the small exchanges, actions, and expressions can turn into an event so catastrophic and out of control. Jay Asher did an incredible job tying everyone's stories together, it made the poets and the jocks and the jerks and the nice guys seem to mesh together under one umbrella. It made me want so bad to go to Hannah Baker's High School and help her continue living, but also how bad I wanted to simply stay put and live my life. Which after reading this novel seemed like a quintessencial life I am leading, until I realize not every school and every life is perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs I read the final pages of this intriguing novel I did not feel fully satisfied in the end. Even though the stories fit like puzzle pieces to each other, I still have so many questions that branch beyond the pages of this book, although if there were a novel I would not exactly want all of my questions addressed. What makes this book so great is the element of mystery and possibilities.
For any person looking for any type of book, 13 Reasons Why is absolutely perfect. There is no one genre to this story, so it fits the personalities of anyone who dares (and should!) to read it. The pages capture the living and the dead in both triumphs and failures. It thrives on surprises and answers, on true despair and prospective happiness; it even flourishes on truth hidden beneath the tangled web of human relationships. This confusing but clear tangle of people makes the novel so gripping and universal, as every message delivered throughout the pages can be taken and applied to the lives of the readers. Written by one of my new favorite authors, Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why has inspired me to always be nice as in the end it is the little things that add up.
ReplyDeleteJust do yourself a favor and go buy 13 reasons why by Jay Asher. It’s, just quite simply, a great book. It’s a wee bit chick-lit-y but even if I were a guy I would find it interesting. The plot is just so interesting. And Hannah Baker’s suicide is edgy and dark. And the 13 tapes! So genius! Captivating! I couldn’t stop thinking about what I would do if I had received a tape. It also got me thinking about how much of an impact I have on people. In the story, seemingly pointless and petty things drove Hannah to take her own life. Nowadays, I’m much more cautious about what I say to people or how I act. Once you make sense of the switching back forth of viewpoints, you begin to see the tragic tangle of lives that ended a young girls. It seems dark, but a spark of romance keeps it from venturing to deep into despair and hopelessness. Definitely a 9 out of 10.
ReplyDeleteIt’s funny to think Thirteen Reason’s Why has finally come to an end. The idea of creating a good ending for a book that takes place in twenty-four hours seemed difficult to me. How is one supposed to smoothly exit out of such a forward, involving story? The first few idea’s that popped into my head were jumping to a future Clay, maybe having the main character discover some huge revelation, or simply sliding out by finishing the day of tapes off and not moving on. Jay Asher chose none of these predictable endings, instead he described Clay’s next day with absolute simplicity. Doing so, Asher did not focus the reader on the ending, rather he directed the reader back to the story and it’s main message of being aware of one’s effects on others. The last line in which Clay speaks, “Skye,” offers the idea of hope. The concept that possibly after Clay’s extremely emotional, terrifying night he learned something. Perhaps this something would cause Clay to do his best to prevent suicide cases from occurring again.
ReplyDeleteIf you are looking for A) mystery, B) something moving, C) a captivating novel, D) a story that makes you think about life, yourself, and the people around you then Thirteen Reasons Why, written by Jay Asher is your book soul mate. The novel makes you contemplate how you affect the people around you. Reading it you’ll find yourself lost in thought, seeing the story play out in your mind as well as relating it to your own life. The book feels simple, yet stunningly complicated simultaneously. Although the book is not one of my favorites, I found it beautiful, heartbreaking, and contemplative. I undoubtedly recommend one read this book; there is something in it for everybody. If you are looking for a creatively written reality, this novel is yours.
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