Thirteen Reasons Why By: Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: October 18, 2007
Publisher: Razor Hill
Hardcover; 288 pages
Literary Awards:
-South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award(2010)
-Florida Teens Read(2008)
-Georgia Peach Honor Book Award(2009)
-Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice
-California Book Award Winner

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.


Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

To start off, i would have to say that this book was difficult to review! I've had to contemplate and figure out a way to put my thoughts into words.  The book itself was okay, but recommending it? Hmm.. Let's review shall we? 


Hannah Baker took her life by overdosing on pills. She recorded 7 tapes with 13 sides. Each side had revealed a reason of why she commited suicide. Those thirteen reasons basically represented thirteen people, which is meant to be passed around within them. This was her way of leaving her message behind and make her message clear. One of the recipients was Clay Jensen. He is the protagonist, the narrator, it's his story, his experience listening through these tapes along with his thoughts. A package arrived at his front porch, a shoe box containing tapes and a map. Once he hit that play button, his life will never be the same. 


I was very excited when i got this book. Let me emphasize that.. I ordered a bunch of books, and out of all of them, i chose to read this one first! When i was done with the book, i was somewhat disappointed-Not my style. To be honest, i don't know why this book gotten so popular. 




The plot was a little unreal. I find that some stories of the people on the list to be unbelieveable. They we're kind of ridiculous and childish because the fact that it was overly-dramatic. In reality, it's what teenagers face in high school every day, so it was too dramatic. There we're malicious reasons in the mixture as well! I had difficulty to sympathize and put myself in the situation of Hannah Baker's character. 


As for the characters, i felt that the characters we're strong and a lot more realistic than Hannah Baker's character. What kept this book in reality was truely the characters.  I love love Clay. He's emotions, his thoughts, and everything about him. He was the most human of them all.  I got so furious when Hannah Baker commited suicide when he didn't get that real chance with her! In the back of my head i'm thinking, you should have gave him a chance! In a way, i wanted to keep reading because of the protagonist ;) 


When it comes to narration, i don't really give a lot of thought about it. But for Jay Asher, he knows the best. I love the narration in this book, it makes it feel real and live. It fits with the story real well. However, i kind of got confused to Hannah Baker's tape with Clay's thoughts together. I literally had to re-read to realize why i misunderstood. But, Jay Asher does know how to create suspense and keep the fire going! I think that the creativity of the narration and suspense was the ONLY reasons why this book kept me going. Very well written!


Although this book had more cons than pros, i still would recommend this book. Suicide is a very serious issue, that can be prevented! I don't think that suicide is ever the right answer, so this book helps keep you in mind to watch how you treat people. Overall, the message of the book saved it all, and what makes this a good read!


My Rating: 4/5