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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
My brain is fried right now, so I’m just gonna say that this book is important and I loved it. Some of the situations/characters introduced in the case of both teens dying didn’t make sense to me, but that’s my only quip.
An extraordinary look at two teens racing towards suicidal situations and the different origins and outcomes of their stories. Bill Konigsberg walks a fine line in a controversial area and does a fantastic job, refusing to sugarcoat, judge or blame. Parents are simultaneously passengers and co-dependents, our two protagonists manage to be victims and perpetrators as we witness four variations on the theme of loss, grief, self-loathing and brutal depression. LGBT youth are up to 5 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than straight kids, and what comes across in Aaron’s story is the isolation and the inability to communicate his inner emotions, despite having a caring, aware father. The common ground simply isn’t there. Tillie is a ball of self-destructive anger and frustration, a danger to herself as she drifts and seeks answers in increasing desperation.
This is not a romanticisation of suicide, nor does it propose easy off-the-peg solutions. It’s a balanced look at the failings in us all that hurt the ones we love, the cracks we can fall into and the possibilities we have to find some measure of redemption, if we dare to reach for them
This is not a romanticisation of suicide, nor does it propose easy off-the-peg solutions. It’s a balanced look at the failings in us all that hurt the ones we love, the cracks we can fall into and the possibilities we have to find some measure of redemption, if we dare to reach for them
Great concept, unfortunately, not very well executed. The plot felt aimless, many scenes felt pointless and it was a little boring in parts. The book was definitely published too soon, it has great potential but it could have done with another few redrafts—probably the "least ready" book for publication I've read.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Konigsberg’s depiction of depression and suicidal thoughts, along everything that accompanies them, is unmatched. He manages to capture the nuances of the thought processes and monologues that so many people go through alone every day. Beautifully written, perfectly paced and makes you really think and ponder.
this book was unbelievably sad, but an amazing read.
cw: suicide, suicidal ideation, homophobia, bullying (more specifically fat-shaming), depression, and mania.
the synopsis reads: Aaron and Tillie don’t know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn’t sure what her problem is — only that she will never be good enough. On the bridge, there are four things that could happen:
Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn’t.
Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn’t.
They both jump.
Neither of them jumps.
Or maybe all four things happen.
The book goes through each instance, showing the outcome and how it would affect each character. The writing was so raw, it dealt with so much trauma that each of the characters went through, showing you their perspective and really making you think about how your actions affect other people. showing all of these four situations meant the plot was at a consistent pace and never sped or slowed to a noticeable level, and kept the story moving. i felt genuinely connected to all of the characters, and seeing everything they went through was kind of misery-inducing but i’m assuming that says something good about the author’s ability to write characters. please don’t read this book if you aren’t in a somewhat stable mental state, or reading about someone committing suicide triggers you. though, reading the author’s note, it is important to read books about topics such as suicide and depression (only if you’re comfortable with it) to demystify the topic, and to learn more about how to help someone dealing with it.
the author included a list of websites, charities and helplines at the back of the book, which i found to be a thoughtful thing to include and was good to see.
i would recommend this book, but be aware of the trigger warnings.
cw: suicide, suicidal ideation, homophobia, bullying (more specifically fat-shaming), depression, and mania.
the synopsis reads: Aaron and Tillie don’t know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn’t sure what her problem is — only that she will never be good enough. On the bridge, there are four things that could happen:
Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn’t.
Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn’t.
They both jump.
Neither of them jumps.
Or maybe all four things happen.
The book goes through each instance, showing the outcome and how it would affect each character. The writing was so raw, it dealt with so much trauma that each of the characters went through, showing you their perspective and really making you think about how your actions affect other people. showing all of these four situations meant the plot was at a consistent pace and never sped or slowed to a noticeable level, and kept the story moving. i felt genuinely connected to all of the characters, and seeing everything they went through was kind of misery-inducing but i’m assuming that says something good about the author’s ability to write characters. please don’t read this book if you aren’t in a somewhat stable mental state, or reading about someone committing suicide triggers you. though, reading the author’s note, it is important to read books about topics such as suicide and depression (only if you’re comfortable with it) to demystify the topic, and to learn more about how to help someone dealing with it.
the author included a list of websites, charities and helplines at the back of the book, which i found to be a thoughtful thing to include and was good to see.
i would recommend this book, but be aware of the trigger warnings.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
My students and I love Konigsberg, but this one was too pedantic for my taste. It bludgeons the readers with explanations instead of allowing us to put two and two together. A major pet peeve for me.
Konigsberg is such a powerful voice in YA! You know whenever you pick up one of his books, the characters (both teen and adult) will be complex and the story will suck you in, and The Bridge was no exception.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so necessary and well done. Four different outcomes of one event, so basically four different stories within one book, but with the same characters. I liked both Aaron and Tillie as main characters and felt for them from the first pages. The writing brings you in super close to their emotions so the book is really hard to read at times. The story shows how much our actions affect others, how valuable we are by just being ourselves, how hard life can be at times, how we touch people's lives when we don't even know we do, and more.
I really liked that the third section (the section where they both jumped) was the shortest and moved through the years quickly showing how their deaths affected their family, but also people they otherwise would have known and spent time with. I think it made it even more sad that that part was shorter because their lives were shortened.
I also appreciated that the parts that were repeated were told in a new/fresh way in the fourth part (where they both didn't jump), since we saw parts of what would have happened to each of them in the sections where the other jumped.
A difficult read for sure, but I am constantly reminded that it is much harder for people to deal with depression than it is for me to read about it, so I'm thankful I'm only experiencing it this way. I think this book will help so many readers empathize with the struggles people go through when depressed, and how our words and actions can really affect the people around us.
I really liked that the third section (the section where they both jumped) was the shortest and moved through the years quickly showing how their deaths affected their family, but also people they otherwise would have known and spent time with. I think it made it even more sad that that part was shorter because their lives were shortened.
I also appreciated that the parts that were repeated were told in a new/fresh way in the fourth part (where they both didn't jump), since we saw parts of what would have happened to each of them in the sections where the other jumped.
A difficult read for sure, but I am constantly reminded that it is much harder for people to deal with depression than it is for me to read about it, so I'm thankful I'm only experiencing it this way. I think this book will help so many readers empathize with the struggles people go through when depressed, and how our words and actions can really affect the people around us.