A review by lisawreading
Half a Life by Darin Strauss

5.0

"Half A Life" by Darin Strauss is an excruciatingly honest examination of loss, guilt, and what it means to continue living after a tragedy. Darin Strauss, at age 18, killed a schoolmate when her bicycle swerved into his car. "Half A Life" walks the reader through the horror of the aftermath, as he struggled both not to blame himself and to never forgive himself. This book is short, yet each page radiates truth and pain. How do you face people who know what you've done? How do you not tell new people? Yet how can you ever expect others to know you if you keep the most pivotal event of your life hidden from them? Beautifully, hauntingly written, "Half A Life" resonates with honesty. Strauss's talent as a writer was evident in his novel, "Chang and Eng" which I read years ago. I'm amazed by his examination of his past, his reflections on sorrow, and his spare descriptions of managing to go on, step by step, year by year.

Updated to add: This review is of a free copy which I received as part of a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. Thank you, Goodreads!