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nikkireadsstuff's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book! The idea of being young and in high school, where everything is so dramatic, is very refreshing. However, sorry to say, I got bored. It took me a long time to finish this book, and while the ending was beautiful and existential and exactly what I was hoping it would be...it was predictable.
safcsue13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
herm333s's review against another edition
3.0
***3.5!
This is one strange story. I felt so many emotions at the same time it became a little overwhelming. Most of the time I thought I was going to love something it went the other way.
Overall it is a very unique story. The characters are pretty special and loving; and I do feel the author's emotions through the narrative and the atmosphere. The ending was both perfect and not so much, don't ask me to explain though.
This is one strange story. I felt so many emotions at the same time it became a little overwhelming. Most of the time I thought I was going to love something it went the other way.
Overall it is a very unique story. The characters are pretty special and loving; and I do feel the author's emotions through the narrative and the atmosphere. The ending was both perfect and not so much, don't ask me to explain though.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
Not a romance in romantic love sense, more a story about love between friends that at times crosses the boundary between friendship and sexual love. Biracial Mira is starting 10th grade at a new school after being hospitalized for a suicide attempt earlier in the year. Shy white Jeremy, a gay boy with two gay male parents, is returning to 10th grade at the same school after having spent much of the previous spring recovering from a bullying/hate crime. Outgoing Sebby, Mira's gay (presumably white?) friend from the psych ward, doesn't go to their school, but spends much of his time there anyways; it's a lot better than his life at his foster home, where no one really cares much about what he does, or why he tried to take his own life.
With a push from his friendly teacher, Peter, Jeremy starts an after school art club, which Mira and Sebby (who rarely attends his own school) join. Thus begins their triangulated friendship, each trying to help the others stay emotionally afloat even as their own problems threaten to capsize them.
Beautifully written and deeply felt, Scelsa has crafted a compelling depiction of depression and adolescent emotional pain, one that does not wallow in trauma but rather depicts those struggling with its aftermath with compassion and empathy.
With a push from his friendly teacher, Peter, Jeremy starts an after school art club, which Mira and Sebby (who rarely attends his own school) join. Thus begins their triangulated friendship, each trying to help the others stay emotionally afloat even as their own problems threaten to capsize them.
Beautifully written and deeply felt, Scelsa has crafted a compelling depiction of depression and adolescent emotional pain, one that does not wallow in trauma but rather depicts those struggling with its aftermath with compassion and empathy.
therewasanattempt's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lirael83's review against another edition
5.0
Great addition to the YA canon, interesting characters and unfolding stories, whilst not suffering from that oft found YA pitfall of making the characters so quirky they become utterly unrealistic. Picked it up on a whim from the library. Great whim!
l_salhus's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of the Impossible Life is a beautifully raw and poignant novel that tells the story of three friends; Mira, Sebby and Jeremy. Mira is starting a new year at Saint Francis Prep School after suffering from a debilitating bout of depression, from which she is still recovering. While she may want to spend most of her time in bed, she feels the best about herself when she is with her gay best friend, Sebby. Sebby and Mira met in the hospital when they both attempted suicide (on separate occasions). On the surface Sebby seems to be a sunny and witty teenager. Yet deep down he is fighting his own battles with being a foster child. Then there is Jeremy, the quiet, shy artist and son of two fathers who is suffering from a traumatizing incident that happened the semester before. Jeremy meets Mira and Sebby at his art club and is captivated by their spontaneous world of rituals including fairy wings and whiskey.
Scelsa treats the themes of sexuality and mental illness with a very realistic approach. The relationship between Jeremy and his new friends is tentative and shy. Yet Sebby, being a very sex-positive character in the book, helps Jeremy experiment with his (bi)sexuality. The novel also shows the consequences of homophobia and bullying that the characters face throughout their high school years. Mental illness is portrayed with realist techniques. Mira and Sebby don’t have a strong support system like Jeremy, forcing them to lean on each other even when the situation appears light hearted on the surface.
The book is written from three different points of view. Meaning Mira’s story is told in third person, Jeremy’s is told in first person and Sebby’s story is told from a second person point of view. I found this to be an interesting and effective choice. It made each character that much more unique. Yet I can see how it can make the book that much harder to follow. If I were to teach this book in a classroom I would be sure to discuss the effects of Scelsa’s choice.
With its LGBTQ theme, this book definitely deserves a spot on the diversity shelf. As for racial diversity, the book is culturally neutral. On the cover we see a depiction of a brown-skinned teenager. While reading the book we can guess that this character is Mira, whose mother is indirectly described as a person of color. I believe Scelsa chose Mira’s skin color to be a relatively neutral detail in order to make the book a clear window and mirror into the themes of mental illness and sexuality.
Overall I really did enjoy this book. I believe the comparison to the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower is accurate. Jeremy is a shy kid who is entranced by the world of Mira and Jeremy, much like Charlie with Sam and Patrick. The books share similar themes of sexuality and mental illness, both with very realistic approaches. I believe that fans of Chobsky’s book will also become fans of this book as well.
Scelsa treats the themes of sexuality and mental illness with a very realistic approach. The relationship between Jeremy and his new friends is tentative and shy. Yet Sebby, being a very sex-positive character in the book, helps Jeremy experiment with his (bi)sexuality. The novel also shows the consequences of homophobia and bullying that the characters face throughout their high school years. Mental illness is portrayed with realist techniques. Mira and Sebby don’t have a strong support system like Jeremy, forcing them to lean on each other even when the situation appears light hearted on the surface.
The book is written from three different points of view. Meaning Mira’s story is told in third person, Jeremy’s is told in first person and Sebby’s story is told from a second person point of view. I found this to be an interesting and effective choice. It made each character that much more unique. Yet I can see how it can make the book that much harder to follow. If I were to teach this book in a classroom I would be sure to discuss the effects of Scelsa’s choice.
With its LGBTQ theme, this book definitely deserves a spot on the diversity shelf. As for racial diversity, the book is culturally neutral. On the cover we see a depiction of a brown-skinned teenager. While reading the book we can guess that this character is Mira, whose mother is indirectly described as a person of color. I believe Scelsa chose Mira’s skin color to be a relatively neutral detail in order to make the book a clear window and mirror into the themes of mental illness and sexuality.
Overall I really did enjoy this book. I believe the comparison to the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower is accurate. Jeremy is a shy kid who is entranced by the world of Mira and Jeremy, much like Charlie with Sam and Patrick. The books share similar themes of sexuality and mental illness, both with very realistic approaches. I believe that fans of Chobsky’s book will also become fans of this book as well.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I will add a quote after publication.
Like many people who listen to radio, I have my favorite stations. I know there are other possibilities out there, but I know what I like. For a long time, I listened to Vin Scelsa on The Loft, which is a satellite radio station. He retired recently and I felt like a good friend had moved away. He knows so much about music and popular culture that I felt like I learned something every time I listened.
One of the things he talked about at the end of his time was his daughter’s debut, young adult novel. I really wanted to read it. Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss, I got the opportunity to do so a bit early. I am grateful.
Kate Scelsa’s story is about three misfits who find each other, have adventures, do some growing up and also learn about life. This is not a new tale, especially for young adults, but Scelsa puts her own twists in her account. Jeremy, Sebby and Mira are well worth getting to know. They are individuals whose stories had an impact on me.
This novel brought me hope. I don’t mean that the story was all lightness and happy times, but this book could not have been written when I was in high school. We were not as open about depression, bullying and gay teenagers. I am so grateful that a little light gets in through the cracks at this time. Life is not perfect and we have a long way to go. However, Scelsa is a good writer who knows how to tell a wonderful story. She makes me feel better about the world.
I knew nothing about Scelsa or her life before reading this novel. I don’t know how much of what I read was based on her own life. I would imagine that she may have experienced some of the issues that these characters do given that one of her acknowledgements is to her wife. I also don’t know how old Scelsa is, but like Maggie Stiefvater, she seems able to write about high school honestly and in a way that I could relate to that part of life. I hope that people closer to that age will also be able to see themselves in this novel.
I recommend this novel to all teens, especially to any that are feeling different than their peers. I also think that adult readers will find a good story, one that they did not experience when they were teens.
Like many people who listen to radio, I have my favorite stations. I know there are other possibilities out there, but I know what I like. For a long time, I listened to Vin Scelsa on The Loft, which is a satellite radio station. He retired recently and I felt like a good friend had moved away. He knows so much about music and popular culture that I felt like I learned something every time I listened.
One of the things he talked about at the end of his time was his daughter’s debut, young adult novel. I really wanted to read it. Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss, I got the opportunity to do so a bit early. I am grateful.
Kate Scelsa’s story is about three misfits who find each other, have adventures, do some growing up and also learn about life. This is not a new tale, especially for young adults, but Scelsa puts her own twists in her account. Jeremy, Sebby and Mira are well worth getting to know. They are individuals whose stories had an impact on me.
This novel brought me hope. I don’t mean that the story was all lightness and happy times, but this book could not have been written when I was in high school. We were not as open about depression, bullying and gay teenagers. I am so grateful that a little light gets in through the cracks at this time. Life is not perfect and we have a long way to go. However, Scelsa is a good writer who knows how to tell a wonderful story. She makes me feel better about the world.
I knew nothing about Scelsa or her life before reading this novel. I don’t know how much of what I read was based on her own life. I would imagine that she may have experienced some of the issues that these characters do given that one of her acknowledgements is to her wife. I also don’t know how old Scelsa is, but like Maggie Stiefvater, she seems able to write about high school honestly and in a way that I could relate to that part of life. I hope that people closer to that age will also be able to see themselves in this novel.
I recommend this novel to all teens, especially to any that are feeling different than their peers. I also think that adult readers will find a good story, one that they did not experience when they were teens.