Book Review: If I Stay

 If i Stay by Gayle Forman

Forman, G. (2018). If I stay. Speak.

Plot Summary:

This book follows the talented cello player, Mia, after she has been in a serious car accident and is now in a coma. In the coma, she can hear and decipher what is going on around her. She finds out that her entire family has died in the car accident that put her in a coma. The story follows her as she is agonizing over the decision to stay with her boyfriend earthside or drift away and be with her family.

Critical Analysis:

This story is something that no one imagines could ever happen to them, but in reality would be such a difficult and heartbreaking situation. The character development sets the story up for a dramatic series of events. You can feel the heartbreak exuding from Mia. Being such a successful young person to then laying in bed in a coma without answers keeps you reading. This book is somewhat of a cautionary tale. You are intrigued to read as it is something so dramatic, you have to see what happens.

Awards/Accolades:

This book was made into a movie in 2014.

2009 NAIBA Book of the Year Award

Indie Choice Award Winner 2010

Connections:

This story could be compared to other stories of mortality like The Fault in our Stars.

This book could be used to illustrate themes of life and death.

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson.