A review by jelek86
Half a Life by Darin Strauss

4.0

We are using this as our First Year Reading Project book this year, so I wanted to re-read it with my incoming freshmen in mind. The story itself is somewhat interesting, though the actual circumstances hardly seem remarkable. What is remarkable, however, is the way Strauss uses these pages as therapy, thoughtfully and honestly laying out every facet (to steal his metaphor) of the reverberation of this accident for us to admire (read: "gawk at"). There are times when he seems a little wishy-washy in his storytelling, and I found myself wanting him to take a stronger stand and quit apologizing for his feelings and reactions, but that seems to be his nature.

My students will appreciate that the story is "real," and I am hoping they will take advantage of the opportunity to meet Darin, who is as caring and considerate a person and a teacher as I've met.