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A review by kitvaria_sarene
How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Full stars, highly recommended, but make sure you have tissues nearby.
Having previously read another book by Kathleen Glasgow, which struck a deep, poignant chord with its realistic portrayal of drug abuse, I couldn't resist picking up How to Make Friends with the Dark, a story centered around loss and grief.
Books dealing with difficult topics like addiction, self-harm, grief, and anxiety have always been a source of comfort for me. As an autistic kid and teen with social anxiety (without knowing about either until I hit 30), I found solace in these narratives, and even now, as I approach 40, they still resonate with me.
How to Make Friends with the Dark is yet another emotional masterpiece, and Glasgow nails the portrayal of teenagers. Many books in this genre often feel like an adult attempting to write like a teen, but Glasgow captures the nuances of teenage life perfectly. Having worked as a bookseller in the teen section for over 21 years, her work truly stands out.
What makes this book especially impactful is not just the portrayal of one girl’s pain, but the exploration of the struggles faced by many others. Learning about the hardships some of the other characters are going through adds depth to the narrative and highlights an important truth: no one is truly alone in their struggles. While it doesn’t lessen the pain, simply knowing that countless others are experiencing similar challenges can make the weight of it all feel a bit more bearable.
I’m so grateful to have discovered Kathleen Glasgow, and I will continue to recommend her books again and again.
Having previously read another book by Kathleen Glasgow, which struck a deep, poignant chord with its realistic portrayal of drug abuse, I couldn't resist picking up How to Make Friends with the Dark, a story centered around loss and grief.
Books dealing with difficult topics like addiction, self-harm, grief, and anxiety have always been a source of comfort for me. As an autistic kid and teen with social anxiety (without knowing about either until I hit 30), I found solace in these narratives, and even now, as I approach 40, they still resonate with me.
How to Make Friends with the Dark is yet another emotional masterpiece, and Glasgow nails the portrayal of teenagers. Many books in this genre often feel like an adult attempting to write like a teen, but Glasgow captures the nuances of teenage life perfectly. Having worked as a bookseller in the teen section for over 21 years, her work truly stands out.
What makes this book especially impactful is not just the portrayal of one girl’s pain, but the exploration of the struggles faced by many others. Learning about the hardships some of the other characters are going through adds depth to the narrative and highlights an important truth: no one is truly alone in their struggles. While it doesn’t lessen the pain, simply knowing that countless others are experiencing similar challenges can make the weight of it all feel a bit more bearable.
I’m so grateful to have discovered Kathleen Glasgow, and I will continue to recommend her books again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Medical content, Car accident
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Self harm, Abortion