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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
"Sometimes I honestly can’t even explain what it is. It’s just this thing. This feeling in the pit of my stomach. It’s disappointment with myself. That I’m not better. That I’m not someone people like more, or someone who’s more talented, or better loved, or worthy of the attention I seem to need just to survive..."
Never cried this much in a book for a long time until this one. The Bridge is an honest book about teenage depression and I kind of wished that it was written when I was in the darkest and lowest period of my life. But as someone in his mid-20s that thinks that he don't matter and still has suicidal ideation at times, this book wrapped me in tight warm hug.
Openly Straight was the first book that I read written by Bill Konigsberg and I loved him since. I like that his books are different from each one and it gives me different emotions and feelings every time.
The Bridge in particular is unique in a way that it not only shows one aftermath of suicide, or just the idea of it. It shows four possibilities that are so vivid that you know it was written by someone who understands. Not too long ago, I was on Aaron's shoes. I was standing on the ledge of my own bridge. Thinking about jumping. I really had been there. I still am. I don't think I ever left. The feeling is so surreal that I have so much more to say but no words can encapsulate how enraptured I was by this story.
For anyone who suffers through depression, this book is highly recommended. And you matter. We all do.
I love you, Tillie and Aaron. Thank you for your gift, Bill Konigsberg.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
As a person who has dealt with similar thoughts, I think this book was extremely well-written. I read it all in a day (even though I have exams coming up)! The characters have a such real, relatable relationships with the people around them, and I found it really interesting that the book didn't have a particular romantic subplot. It is truly inspiring and hope-giving.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Pure caruccio, ma ad un certo punto è sopraggiunta la noia e devo essere sincera, non ho provato empatia né simpatia per nessuno dei due personaggi (forse per Aron nella prima parte).
Magistrale al solito la narrazione di [a:Marin Ireland|5804408|Marin Ireland|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], che forse forse sta diventando la mia narratrice preferita
Magistrale al solito la narrazione di [a:Marin Ireland|5804408|Marin Ireland|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], che forse forse sta diventando la mia narratrice preferita
dark
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I just finished a YA ARC. “The Bridge”. I would give my thanks but I don't remember how I received this ARC. This is the first time ever that I wrote a thank you note to the author. The book is about two teens who get to the George Washington Bridge in NYC at the same time. They both want to jump. There are four versions of the story we witness. Version one girl jumps. Version two boy jumps. Version three both. Final version neither jump. It also has a transition chapter after they both jump and before neither jump. This takes you from 3 years to 35 years later. The effects. Not only what happened but what was missing. The void they left in strangers' lives. It is the first time I have read about the complexities of suicide such as the why, the what if , and the only if without the whining. Well, a little whining. It provides insight, and answers some tough questions.It also points out that sometimes the jumper needs to stop and realize that it (meaning life) is like a tree with interwoven branches. Survival depends on more than the life of one branch. (Spoiler - there is a tree in the last part of the book.) In each version there is a realization that life has work involved. None of the vignettes has a perfect ending but a new beginning. It is such a great read. I would love to see it on school reading lists and in every school psychologist office. There is the underlying issues of sexuality including homosexuality and first sexual love; however, this does not go into graphic detail and does not distract from the book. The book also goes into viral and in-person bullying. I would recommend this book for high school kids (who are ready to investigate this topic) and older. It is a great discussion book opening up doors for many who may need help or may be called upon in some manner to be the helper.
DNF @ 50%. I’m so disappointed. I loved all of Bills other books, but I just couldn’t get through this one. It was just so utterly boring to me.
Pretty well done - I greatly appreciated the authors note at the end and the fact that he himself is a suicide attempt survivor. It’s important that these stories come from people with lived experience.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt