Review Detail

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Theresa tells James that their party date is a one-time thing. Shes only using him to make her maybe-ex-boyfriend jealous. It works, but Theresa breaks James heart in the process, and he drives his motorcycle of a cliff, dying of suicide. Theresas entire world collapses, and she blames herself for James death. She severs ties with her old life, and tries to reinvent herself, all in an attempt to atone for what she did to James. Slowly though, through meeting a girl very similar to herself, Theresa begins to realize that she cant keep running away forever.

Once again, Catherine Ryan Hyde writes a beautiful story about learning to live with what youve done. The story was incredibly sad, because Theresa kept blaming herself for killing James, even though it wasnt entirely her fault, and even though Theresas only eighteen-years-old, this ages and matures her. Theresas character and journey to self-forgiveness is very realistic, and I was so relieved with the hopeful ending. The Day I Killed James is truly a heartfelt, well-written, and unforgettable story, and one I will not likely forget.

The Day I Killed James is probably my favorite of Catherine Ryan Hydes novels so far, and I most definitely recommend it. The topic of death is never an easy one to write about, and I rank this novel high among others of this topic, including Saving Zoë by Alyson Noël, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com