Scan barcode
belle_fiction's review
4.0
If you're looking for an uplifting read, this really isn't it! Having said that though, it is a wonderfully written novel about the life of Jonathon Bender (b.1967-d.1999).
Dear Everybody consists of all the letters Jonathon wrote in the lead up to his suicide. He writes to all of his ex-girlfriends, his ex-wife, his parents, brother, neighbours, school teachers, the tooth fairy and Santa Claus to name a few.
Jonathon is a compelling and complex character - through his letters we learn that he is a paranoid/anxious/depressive child who is very sensitive to his environment. He fears bath time because he believes he might be cooked!
It is obvious very early on that Jonathon thinks and perceives differently to those around him, and Kimball has managed to capture a strong narrative voice throughout his letters. The story possesses an intensity to it because of the chosen format.
I actually felt pretty sorry for Jonathon - I can understand why he behaves the way he does: he is physically abused by his father, has a mother who is too afraid of her husband to really help her son and a brother (Robert) who clearly doesn't care. I kind of expected his father to be a bastard (that is usually a common set-up in books of this nature) but the real eye-opener for me was Robert. He denies that his father ever hurt him (Jonathon disagrees), and having read Jonathon's psychological report fails to believe his brother's symptoms. At times, this had me guessing as to whether or not Jonathon is a reliable narrator. The brothers live in the same house and share the same space but they have very different memories of their childhood upbringing. I also found Robert pretty annoying since he portrayed Jonathon as someone who always made things up and wanted attention. (Now this may be true but somehow I cannot fully believe this). He also made excuses for his father's physical abuse towards his brother, which, to me, is inexcusable.
Whilst there were a few light-hearted moments in Dear Everybody, the novel focuses mainly on mental illness and suicide. It is a tough subject to read about and, unfortunately, not one filled with hope. Nevertheless, Kimball's prose isn't heavy and encourages you to read on. (I found myself tearing through these letters on my train journeys).
What Dear Everybody does is present the life of a character who is emotionally disturbed, a guy who wanted to find happiness and be loved, and in some ways, he does. I believe the saddest thing about Jonathon is that he was always a highly sensitive/uptight/anxious/depressed child whose unfortunate childhood (an abusive father, scared mother and indifferent brother) only further encouraged his illness to grow, an illness which plagued him throughout his short life, and which ultimately, claimed it.
An incredibly poignant and thought-provoking read which will move you to tears.
valhogbooks's review
3.0
I really liked the structure of this book. The story and characters were effectively revealed and the writer credited the reader with the intelligence to make connections. Unfortunately I did not get the sense of angst that surrounds mental illness. The protagonist sometimes seemed childlike rather than afflicted with depression.
liamgreyson's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
superdilettante's review
4.0
A fast read, and a sad one. I liked the letter device. The one weird thing is that the book is so very sad and the cover is downright cheery. I know I was definitely expecting something other than what I got.
jjv84's review
4.0
A simple and easy book to read. The author lets you use your imagination as this book is filled with letters, diary entries and articles and follows a mans life. This begins in his childhood all the way up until death.
achadamaia's review
5.0
This was one of the most unusual books I've read in a long time! The main character of the book has committed suicide. His brother goes back over his belonging and finds these letters written by his brother before he died.
He decides to piece together what happened by compiling the letters, comparing them to entries in his Mother's journal, notes from teachers, and conversations with his Father.
It doesn't really read like a novel. I found that I felt like I had known this guy is some way and that I was being allowed to read these missives to find out why he had committed suicide. It was like I was in that inner circle. I felt pulled in immediately. This book is really well done.
He decides to piece together what happened by compiling the letters, comparing them to entries in his Mother's journal, notes from teachers, and conversations with his Father.
It doesn't really read like a novel. I found that I felt like I had known this guy is some way and that I was being allowed to read these missives to find out why he had committed suicide. It was like I was in that inner circle. I felt pulled in immediately. This book is really well done.
jon_doyle's review
An interesting epistolary novel that serves as an extended suicide note. The stuff about the father is sometimes a little blunt for my liking (it would have been sadder/better if something was revealed near the end that cast his father in a light that wasn't completely horrible/evil), but who am I to say how someone should write a father?
maribrooksg's review
4.0
I love the way this book was made up of letters, newspaper clippings, diary excerpts, and pieces of interviews. The style was amazing. The characters were believable, but they made me a little sad. The whole novel is a series of these letters and excerpts left behind after a man commits suicide. His brother puts them together for us, to help him (and us) understand.