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A review by chyreads29
See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
5.0
I'm not sure there are words to capture how See You at Harry's has touched me. This is absolutely a story about mourning. I cried multiple times while reading, which is something that doesn't happen often. However, this is simply a result of an author who has crafted raw, vivid characters who leave their heart on the stage. This makes it hard to not feel an emotional attachment to them. Being the older sister, cousin, and aunt to children as young as one myself, this story instantly pulled at my heartstrings. It is beautifully crafted and undoubtedly honest. Though the story may be categorized as middle grade, the voice feels extremely mature and in my opinion, it can grasp anyone.
There are some unresolved issues in the novel that I noticed. For example, in the beginning, Sara taunts Holden with a homophobic slur which initially characterizes her as unaccepting. Then suddenly, she is accepting. That transition or why she even used the slur in the first place didn't really translate well. Also, the audience is set up to like Gray, Holden's friend, throughout the entire novel, and then he is completely thrown away in the last couple of pages. The emotional impact this book has had on me overshadows these issues for the most part. However, I felt they were worth mentioning.
There are some unresolved issues in the novel that I noticed. For example, in the beginning, Sara taunts Holden with a homophobic slur which initially characterizes her as unaccepting. Then suddenly, she is accepting. That transition or why she even used the slur in the first place didn't really translate well. Also, the audience is set up to like Gray, Holden's friend, throughout the entire novel, and then he is completely thrown away in the last couple of pages. The emotional impact this book has had on me overshadows these issues for the most part. However, I felt they were worth mentioning.