By Gayle Forman
Wow! This is on the top of the list for my favorite reads ever. This romantic and drama filled story leaves you felling like you have lost a best friend when you turn that last page. The second I finished this book, I ran to Barns and Noble to get the next book in the series, Where She Went. If you have any interest in love stories or a dramatic story... You have to read this book!
The main character Mia, at age seventeen has become a wonderful cello player. She has quite the musical talent. She has the perfect rock star boyfriend that cares for her and wants the best for her. Her family could not be better. Her parents are the kind that teenagers dream for. They let her have her space but are always there as her mentors when she needs someone to talk to. Mia has the perfect life. She can go anywhere for college but she prefers Julliard and she has a loving boyfriend and family. Nothing could go wrong for her. Until one winter day in Oregon, when it goes to the impossible. Her parents, brother and herself are packed into the car listening to music and just having fun when all of a sudden they get into a car wreck with a semi-truck. Mia blacks out and doesn't wake up until she sees that she has been thrown out of the car into the street. Mia gets up feeling normal until she sees herself all bruised and asleep on the ash fault. She walks around the scene to see that her brother and parents have all died, leaving her. This a story of an out of the body experience as we see Mia's boyfriend fight for her life. And Mia is left with a decision: To go or to stay...
This book was the most Si-Fi I can take in a story. Mia seeing life outside her own body was a cool idea and added a lot to the overall story line. Generally, the thought of this would be a no for me to read but after learning that the story also had a romantic twist I just had to read it! Forman really makes the readers experience the life or death situation. When Mia has to answer if she wants to die or stay alive with no family left, the readers go through all the emotions that Mia’s visitors portray as they see her in the coma. Mia gets to listen to what people really think of her. She seems like she is in a deep coma but Mia stands in her room the whole time listening to what people have to say.
Forman captures what every teen wants in their own lifetime, to see how many people truly show up when you are so close to your own death. We all wonder how many people will show up to our funeral if we die tomorrow. Or how many people would send “Get Well” cards and flowers to our hospital room. And who the very few people would be that came to your room and talked with you whether or not you were awake to hear and see them. We all wonder who in the end will truly care for us.
This book has to be read by someone mature. The violence and sexual behavior is not appropriate throughout the novel for young readers under the age of 13. For any girl, looking for an adventure with love, tragic events and a Si-Fi fiction story… MUST read this novel. So get off the computer and read the best book ever written, If I Stay by Gayle Forman.
