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A review by nessmess0104
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
While I think the concept
of having teenagers face real-life implications of their decisions and interactions and exploration of suicide and their social interactions, this book fails the execution. Clay, the protagonist listening to the tapes, is uninteresting and his commentary through listening to the tapes adds little to nothing to the final message. Hannah, the girl who recorded the tapes, is not a compelling character and her ultimate tragedy falls flat to make the reader really care that she did what she did. I think it’s ridiculous to think Hannahputs a girl who doesn’t show interest in a friendship with her in the same tapes as a full on r*pist and lists her apart of the reasons she kills herself . It feels like Asher has little
understanding of a teenage girl perspective and adds little depth to Hannah or explore her emotions outside of strange rage and petty energy. Maybe the best character out of this is Tony, but even then he’s a solid 3/5 star character: the best of the worst. I’d like to see this concept re-explored with a more fleshed-out character and exploration of suicide: a mental illness that warps reality and is not meant to be weaponized to seek revenge against teenagers??
of having teenagers face real-life implications of their decisions and interactions and exploration of suicide and their social interactions, this book fails the execution. Clay, the protagonist listening to the tapes, is uninteresting and his commentary through listening to the tapes adds little to nothing to the final message. Hannah, the girl who recorded the tapes, is not a compelling character and her ultimate tragedy falls flat to make the reader really care that she did what she did. I think it’s ridiculous to think Hannah
understanding of a teenage girl perspective and adds little depth to Hannah or explore her emotions outside of strange rage and petty energy. Maybe the best character out of this is Tony, but even then he’s a solid 3/5 star character: the best of the worst. I’d like to see this concept re-explored with a more fleshed-out character and exploration of suicide: a mental illness that warps reality and is not meant to be weaponized to seek revenge against teenagers??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment