Review : Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 

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.

How many secrets can there be at one school?

Hannah Baker killed herself two weeks ago. By pills. No one knows the truth about her. The reasons. Clay Jensen knows no better than everyone. Until he receives a shoebox-sized package, seven audiotapes inside. No return address.

Exciting, right? Maybe it’s from some secret admirer? So, out of curiosity, Clay press play to the first tape, and the voice comes off:

Hello, boys and girls. Hannah Baker here. Live and in stereo.

No. This must be a joke. A cruel joke.

I hope you're ready, because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to these tapes, you're one of the reasons why.

Before Hannah died, she recorded a bunch of tapes. Why? Is this some kind of twisted suicide note?

The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you. When you're done listening to all thirteen sides--because there are thirteen sides to every story--rewind the tapes, put them back in the box, and pass them on to whoever follows your little tale.

No way. Clay hardly knew Hannah Baker. Well, he wanted to. He wanted to know her more than he had the chance. And he never had.

Clay is everyone’s favorite guy. He’s nice, polite, and never bothering somebody’s issue. The problem is, he likes Hannah Baker. Hannah, the new girl at school whose reputation ahead her presence in town. Hannah is pretty, yes. Too pretty for her own good even. Rumors are her bestfriend, and nobody ever tried to look beyond these rumors. No one ever had. No one ever will.

But with these tapes, people in the list get a chance to see Hannah’s thoughts. To put themselves in her shoes, and learn the dark, shattering secrets of Hannah. The snowball effect which resulted in Hannah’s surrender. Because there are reasons. People who help her make the terrible decision. People who abandon her asking-for-help signs.

I could have helped you, Hannah. But when I tried, you pushed me away.

I can almost hear Hannah's voice speaking my next thought for me. "Then why didn't you try harder?"

See the world differently. Maybe there’s someone suffering near you. They don’t ask for help clearly. But they try. They make signs. And now it’s your job. Will you let them go… or will you offer help?   

I rate this book:

Four maples! Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome! I love the tea flavor! A strong recommendation!

I love this book and cried in some part of it. I read this book in September 2010 and had posted the review on Goodreads. I plan to read The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, I post this review on blog. :)