Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Book of the Week: 1 November 2015
This week’s book has been chosen by Dominic who is a Student Library Assistant. Here is his enthusiastic review:
“This phenomenal piece of genius captures the reader throughout its duration, leaving you wishing the deeply complex characters were real, rather than a bunch of cleverly arranged letters.
The highly descriptive style of writing tells the story of Tessa Scott, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia four years before the book is set. Constantly experiencing their daughter’s sudden mood swings, Tessa’s father, obsessed with finding a cure, and her mother, divorced from Tessa’s father, are driven insane by Tessa’s unpredictable disposition. Tessa’s only haven is her next door neighbour, Adam, whose mother is stricken by depression after the death of her husband and needs looking after, and Zoey, Tessa’s best friend, a wild and free girl. But she also has a list.
Whilst Tessa’s priorities are focused on completing her list of things to do, this book makes you realise that you don’t need to complete a list to have lived and also makes you feel privileged to be alive.
A few of my favourite quotes include, “A handful of withered apples turn to rust” and “trying to feel its bruised slate colour through my fingers”, for their contradictory descriptions.
I would recommend that this book is read with a roomful of tissues to hand.
In summary, I cannot express this book’s pure ingenuity in words. It is undoubtedly the best book ever written.
Also, if you wish to watch a film version, one has been made under the name of ‘Now is Good’.”
Librarian’s note: Suitable for older readers due to mature themes of illness and loss.
