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Friday, March 13, 2009

Book Review: Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

I'm not crazy. I don't see what the big deal is about what happened. But apparently someone does think it's a big deal because here I am. I bet it was my mother. She always overreacts.


Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year's Day to find himself in the hospital. Make that the psychiatric ward. With the nutjobs. Clearly, this is all a huge mistake. Forget about the bandages on his wrists and the notes on his chart. Forget about his problems with his best friend, Allie, and her boyfriend, Burke. Jeff's perfectly fine, perfectly normal, not like the other kids in the hospital with him. Now they've got problems. But a funny thing happens as his forty-five-day sentence drags on—the crazies start to seem less crazy.


Review:


First of all, this book was absolutely hilarious--which you can probably see from the little blurb in this past tuesday's Tautological Tuesday post. Each and every word was DRIPPING with sarcasm, and all of the characters can be formed pretty clearly in your mind, especiallly the Crazies.


I really loved how Ford gave you time to cross-examine and really get to know the characters, and get the chance to try and figure them out before he reveals everything. Each of the characters are extremely well developed, and all have dominant personalities, but also seem to have a sign that clearly states STAY AWAY: CRAZIES--a sign that Jeff really doesnt want to ignore--and one that is a bright neon.


First there's Sadie. Sadie tried to drown herself, which is really the building block of her personality. Her way of dealing is trying to make jokes.


Then there's Juliet, who's parents think is posessed by some sort of demonic spirit, and are going to preform some sort of religious exorsism on her when she leaves the Psych Ward. She has got it bad for Bone.


Bone is just well . . . Bone. Sort of creepy, sort of funny, sort of odd--plus he has tattoos of the Alice in Wonderland characters, which i just loved.


Next there's Alice. Alice's mother's boyfriend supposedly did things to her (Alice) when the mother is not there and she (Alice) got extremely mad--and, well, sort of tried to light him (the boyfriend) on fire, landing a place in the local NutHouse--if you catch my flow.


Martha's just . . . odd. Extremely odd. You'll find out more if you READ IT!


Jeff i will not go into, but he is extremely complex. Plus he relies heavily on sarcasm--which, lets face it, ALL teens do. Jeff's irreverent sarcasm drew me in from the beginning and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I was also intrigued by Jeff's suicide attempt - what caused him to try to take his own life? He was obviously hiding something and I wanted to know what.


This story is completely captivating and, although there are many, has one specific theme that is extremely prominent: Everyone is a Crazy. Ha-ha. I know that that may not sound so . . . fantastic, but its true. We all are a bit odd, and thats what makes us . . . unique. Special. One-of-a-kind. Jeff really helps you try and remove, or at least closely examine, the fuzzy line that defines whether or not you are 'normal'.


I really liked this book. From the inside cover of the book, I instantly knew I would like it. It touches on mature subjects, such as sexuality, suicide, and drugs, but it makes it very relatable to teens. The topics discussed in this book are all met with humor, with a hint of a serious tone. But when it comes down to it, the book quickly becomes honest and full of truth--some truths you may not even want to find out.


Dark, witty, and unbelievably hilarious, Ford examines topics many would much rather not think about--and makes you wonder: will I ever get my invisible jet?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds really interesting. Great review!!

Mitzy said...

ooo this looks amazing! Adding it to my wishlist!

Unknown said...

That book sounds so good! Adding it to my list now...

LisaMay said...

Kind of Girl, Interrupted like? Sounds good.

simply nerdy book reviews said...

It was hilarious, but totally crude. Brings back memories of The Step Brothers--you gotta love Will Ferral

Leah:)

Sadako said...

This seems like a really cool book. Morbid but fun. And I love the cover.

Jen said...

I wants to read it <3

simply nerdy book reviews said...

haha thanks for all of the comments, guys!

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