Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on January 30, 2012 | 4 Comments


Review: If I Stay by Gayle FormanIf I Stay by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #1
Published by Dutton Children's (4.9.2009)
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: Hardcover, 199 pages
Source: Library
Buy on Amazon


4.5 Stars

In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands.

My thoughts

Dying is easy. Living is hard.

This book didn’t waste any time getting to the point. A few pages in I was already glued to the story, hand over my mouth in horror and shock. After the accident, Mia is left with the ultimate question – live with the pain or take the easy way out in death?

I loved Mia’s family and friends. Like me, Mia has an awesome family (okay, so my parents didn’t get married in leather or a white flapper dress with spike boots, but still), a wonderful and supportive boyfriend, her and her BFF used to hate each other, and she’s never really had to deal with a major hardship before. So, I found it easy to put myself in her shoes. Maybe that’s why this book got to me so much. I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to go through something like that. I’m not sure I’d have the strength to make the decision that she did…it’s too painful to even contemplate it.

If I Stay was very emotional and moving and had me near tears at many points, several of which I really did cry. I’m not saying the whole book is depressing, because it’s not. The flashbacks into Mia’s life are wonderful  and happy and I thoroughly enjoyed them. This book was full of love and heartbreak, sadness and joy. Forman made me feel like I was actually in the story.

quotesShe didn’t care that people called her a bitch. “It’s just another word for feminist,” she told me with pride.

assessment
Plot: 4/5
Not necessarily original but definitely gripping.
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
So real! I adored every one of them.
World-building: 5/5
I loved the flashbacks that set the scene.
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 1/5
I like this cover way better:
 
Overall rating: 4.5/5 starfish
If you’re going to read this, keep a tissue box handy!!
Jessi (Geo)

Posted in: Book Reviews | Tags: , , , ,

Subscribe to Novel Heartbeat to get more posts like this!

4 responses to “Review: If I Stay by Gayle Forman

  1. Ooh this has been on my TBR list for so long I HAVE to pick it up soon it sounds AMAZING! I love a book that just starts of strong and keeps you glued to the end. Wonderful review Jessi I’ll be bumping this one up!!

  2. It’s really great :)

    Some friends told me that it’s very hard to get me on tears, but this book totally got me sniffing and sobbing. Get your tissue ready, cause this one is a total tearjerker. And i feel really sorry for Mia

    Great review btw :)

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.