For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.
Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over?
My Review
I have been a Laurie Halse Anderson fan for years – ever since I used Speak in my 4th year Children’s Literature course at SFU. But it has been a number of years now since I’ve picked up one of her books, so I was curious to see if she has maintained her exceptional standards. I was not disappointed.
As per usual, Halse Anderson wove a tale that is brutally honest and real but that’s real strength lies in the character development. Hayley Kincaid is a girl who is dealing with issues that no teenager should have to deal with (but that far too many do). Her struggles to balance her life, her studies and her father’s well being are beautiful written.
Too often I put down a realistic novel like this one with a feeling of disappointment and depression but that wasn’t the case this time. Instead I felt closure and a sense of hope when finishing the novel. Halse Anderson doesn’t sugarcoat the story and doesn’t ruin the reality of her novel with a fairytale ending and yet she manages to close on a hopeful note.
Great read! You should check it out!
