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diptyque 's review for:
The Ghosts We Keep
by Mason Deaver
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't sure what to expect getting into this book, but freshly after reading it with tears still running down my face (with nearly every damn Mason Deaver book I read too...), I have a lot on my mind.
This is not a happy book in the sense of every direction, except towards the end where there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I'd say that this whole story is akin to being a fictional version of grief and mourning, as close to a non-fiction memoir in the emotional way, or that Quarterback episode of Glee (I don't even watch Glee--).
The friendships, the familial storylines, not having anywhere to go, and floating by basically in a world but feeling alone, it's so relatable, to some who have lost loved ones close to them, or distant relatives, friends. It's nondescript, it's personal, subjective, and you don't even know how to feel or respond. That's what Liam goes through.
I'm way past my teen years in age, but I could relate to so much. Being abandoned by friends, those who go into relationships, those who seem to pair off better as friends than I do, it's a thing that's happened to me so much in life that when I felt Liam going through it, that dread coursed through me too. Being left behind all the time... The self-harm - I've felt that in my head before too. The dread of wanting to self-harm but the fear of doing it and not really wanting to do it anyway- these thoughts were so rampant when I was younger. I just saw so much myself in Liam. Their outbursts? I did that too, I regretted it too, I had my privileges taken away from me- however, I wish my parents were more like theirs, if you could believe it or not. Ones that acknowledged I was going through a difficult time. So Liam Cooper, find yourself blessed there, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
Regarding Marcus,maybe it was obvious to some others, but it only clicked for me as I got closer to halfway and near the end that they were likely dating each other, and man the way my stomach plummetted to the ground, I felt so awful for Marcus, and Liam, and everyone involved. Losing a loved one in that way can never be easy for a mom, dad, romantic partner, sibling, ever. And grieving with it individually, it's so unique.... And more challenging when you were hidden to begin with. So I am thankful in a way that Marcus and Liam sort of have someone to talk to about what they're going through, even if they're quite volatile around one another, under all these pressures. What would you do in this situation?
The book was difficult to read, but Mason's writing is always easy to read. I appreciated it for what it is, despite the topics. Not all books are meant to be happy, but still have their place in our bookshelves and hearts.
This is not a happy book in the sense of every direction, except towards the end where there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I'd say that this whole story is akin to being a fictional version of grief and mourning, as close to a non-fiction memoir in the emotional way, or that Quarterback episode of Glee (I don't even watch Glee--).
The friendships, the familial storylines, not having anywhere to go, and floating by basically in a world but feeling alone, it's so relatable, to some who have lost loved ones close to them, or distant relatives, friends. It's nondescript, it's personal, subjective, and you don't even know how to feel or respond. That's what Liam goes through.
I'm way past my teen years in age, but I could relate to so much. Being abandoned by friends, those who go into relationships, those who seem to pair off better as friends than I do, it's a thing that's happened to me so much in life that when I felt Liam going through it, that dread coursed through me too. Being left behind all the time... The self-harm - I've felt that in my head before too. The dread of wanting to self-harm but the fear of doing it and not really wanting to do it anyway- these thoughts were so rampant when I was younger. I just saw so much myself in Liam. Their outbursts? I did that too, I regretted it too, I had my privileges taken away from me- however, I wish my parents were more like theirs, if you could believe it or not. Ones that acknowledged I was going through a difficult time. So Liam Cooper, find yourself blessed there, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
Regarding Marcus,
The book was difficult to read, but Mason's writing is always easy to read. I appreciated it for what it is, despite the topics. Not all books are meant to be happy, but still have their place in our bookshelves and hearts.
Content Warnings
Minor: Self harm