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A review by stuedb
No Sad Songs by Frank Morelli
3.0
I must admit I really enjoyed this novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect from it but I was very entertained and read it in just five days (which is very fast for me).
The circumstances that befall 18 yr old Gabe I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and I think Morelli’s telling of Gabe’s emotional state is very well done. Obviously I disagree with Gabe hiding his Grandfather’s involvement in a hit and run however having never been in that position I wouldn’t know how I’d react (I’d like to think I would tell the truth from the start). I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride his friendship with John went through as they argued and fell out with each other throughout the ordeal but I found it unrealistic that Gabe got the girl (not Sofia the other one) as I don’t think that would ever happen (however short lived it was). But I was happy that he formed a relationship with Sofia who I felt was the novel’s most interesting character (I would have liked more Sofia in the novel).
Dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia is very difficult and I think this novel does a brilliant job of bringing the enormity of the task of looking after someone with the disease to a YA audience.
The circumstances that befall 18 yr old Gabe I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and I think Morelli’s telling of Gabe’s emotional state is very well done. Obviously I disagree with Gabe hiding his Grandfather’s involvement in a hit and run however having never been in that position I wouldn’t know how I’d react (I’d like to think I would tell the truth from the start). I enjoyed the rollercoaster ride his friendship with John went through as they argued and fell out with each other throughout the ordeal but I found it unrealistic that Gabe got the girl (not Sofia the other one) as I don’t think that would ever happen (however short lived it was). But I was happy that he formed a relationship with Sofia who I felt was the novel’s most interesting character (I would have liked more Sofia in the novel).
Dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia is very difficult and I think this novel does a brilliant job of bringing the enormity of the task of looking after someone with the disease to a YA audience.