This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just finished this book… Just finished. Normally I wait a bit, let the book feels soak in and then write a review, but I wanted to get these down right away, because I loved this. Wait… I more than loved this, though I’m not sure what word to use for that.
Elsie Dembowski is the outsider. She’s sixteen and starting her sophomore year of high school determined to change the image that everyone seems to have for her. For as long as she can remember she’s been the girl that the kids picked on, made fun of, teased and ridiculed. She’s spent the summer learning everything she can to fit in.
Only that first day doesn’t go quite as planned and she’s left feeling even more alone than she ever has and she’s prepared to take drastic steps to be noticed.
Seven months later, a chance meeting while taking a walk in what seems to be a deserted neighborhood opens up her world to something that changes her life.
First of all, I really loved Elsie’s voice in this book. Music has always been her escape from the harshness and disappointments in her life. She immerses herself in it… and when that first day becomes just one more disappointment, she decides she’s done.
Yes, this book broaches suicide. But the story itself isn’t just about a kid who wants to kill herself. It’s not that simple. Elsie has been hurt over and over by her peers and it was sad to see. It was equally sad to see her come to the realization that she’s had enough.
“Does this sound ridiculous and dramatic, to decide in the middle of a totally average school day that this life has gone on for long enough? Was I overreacting? Well, I’m sorry, but that is what I decided. You can’t tell me my feelings are overwrought or absurd. You don’t know. They are my feelings.”
For me this book wasn’t even specifically about music even though it encompasses a big portion of the story. I felt it was perfectly weaved into each chapter… you know it’s there, and you hear it, but it’s just another character, a part of Elsie’s life and her story. I loved that each chapter started with lyrics from an artist that applied to what was going on.
I really loved the secondary characters of this story. And yes, I liked the relationship with Char (Prince Charming)… I know that probably won’t be a popular opinion, but for me I think it really opened her eyes to the idea that someone could find her attractive and interesting … was it superficial … absolutely. I mean they didn’t even know each other’s names, but I think it was perfect for what she needed in her life then. Just the knowledge that there were people out there that wanted to know her made all the difference.
I thought Sales did an amazing job of fleshing out each and every character. Mel and Vicky… even those bullies from school jumped off the page for me, pulling me into this story. Oh, and her parents! I have said before, it’s rare when you see a parental figures in YA. It’s easier I suppose to not have them be a big part of what’s happening, but it was lovely to see her parents here. The relationship you witness with both her mother and her father was wonderful to see.
The message here was perfectly delivered for me. Unfortunately a lot of times we give people the power to hurt us, but deep down we know who we are even if the people around us have a distorted version. It’s up to us to be true to ourselves and find and do the things that make us happy. Ultimately I felt like this was a story of self-discovery. Learning, that just because people have dumped you into some category doesn’t make their assessment correct. And realizing that there are people who haven’t been exposed to some pre-conceived notion of who other people think you are supposed to be. People who can see you for who you really and truly are.
I definitely recommend this story for anyone looking for a contemporary that tackles some serious social issues in a fresh, fun and genuine voice.
I begged for this review copy at ALA this year! Totally worth it! Thank you Macmillan!!
View all jaime’s reviews
Recent Comments