I decided to read 13 Reasons Why because I read about its movie adaptation starring Selena Gomez. I am a fan. I love her. Anyway, my brother-in-law bought me the book (because I think it isn't released in the Philippines). I searched about in on the Wikipedia *http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_Reasons_Why and got curious about suicide. Not because I'm planning to end my life or anything but the plot really caught me.
So why do you think a young lady would end her own life? In this book, I found out why.
When Clay Jensen finds a package for him in the front door of their house, he gets excited. [Who wouldn't be, right?] he opens it and finds it a little weird. The shoebox contains seven tapes numbered on each side. He goes to their garage and plays the first tape on his dad's stereo. He shockingly hears a voice he isn't expecting. a voice of an already dead girl...Hannah Baker.
He trembles when he hears Hannah's voice. Who wouldn't? That's the voice of a girl who 2 weeks ago killed her own life. He doesn't know how to feel. Will he feel happy because he's hearing her voice again, or will he feel afraid?
He starts listening and finds out that the tape numbered 1 is all about Justin Foley. Justin is Hannah's first kiss. Well that first kiss turns out to be more than a kiss! That's a RUMOR by the way. It's only exaggerated by Justin. That gives Hannah a bad reputation at school.
1st tape, side B, all about Alex Standall. Alex makes the Who's Hot/Who's Not list. Alex makes Hannah the Hottest Ass for Freshmen Class.
2nd tape, side A, Jessica Davis. Jessica is Hannah's first ever friend in town. While Hannah was put on the hot list by Alex, Jessica was put on the not. She abandons Hannah because of the rumors about Justin Foley.
Tyler Down on the first side of the 3rd tape. Tyler is a PEEPING TOM! He stalks Hannah! He takes pictures outside Hannah's window to find out what she does.
First on the third tape, Courtney Crimsen. Courtney is the nicest person in school. She finds Hannah's stalker amusing and so she agrees to sleep at Hannah's house to find who the stalker is. At a party, when Courtney needs a ride she asks Hannah to come and to pick her up. At that party, Hannah finds out that Courtney's spreading a rumor about her owning a liberated toy.
Side B of the same tape is all about Marcus Cooley. Marcus asks Hannah a date on Valentine's Day and keeps her waiting. When he arrives, Hannah's drink is already empty and he touches Hannah's thighs and tries to touch her private part.
Zach Dempsey stars on the first side of the fourth tape. He witnesses Marcus touching Hannah
and when Marcus leaves, Zach tries to comfort Hannah. Hannah hears his friends afterwards about not getting her or more like about not getting to hit on her. He then steals Hannah's compliment letters as a revenge.
On the forth's side B, Ryan Shaver. The school's news paper editor. Hannah and him join the a free course entitled To Love Life. Hannah and Ryan become good friends but Ryan steals one of Hannah's private poems and published it as his.
**Soul Alone by Hannah Baker. The stolen poem.
I meet your eyes
you don't even see me
You hardly respond
when I whisper
hello
Could be my soul mate
two kindred spirits
Maybe we're not
I guess we'll never
know
My own mother
you carried me in you
Now you see nothing
but what I wear
People asked you
how I am doing
You smile and nod
don't let it end
there
Put me
underneath God's sky and
know me
don't just see me with your eyes
Take away
this mask of flesh and bone and
see me
for my soul
alone
I personally think it stresses neglect and most especially the need for understanding. Understanding beyond what others see.
**One of Hannah's poem. The first poem in her notebook where she compiles her poems.
If my love were an ocean,
there would be no more land.
If my love were a dessert,
you would see only sand.
If my love were a star--
late at night, only light.
And if my love could grow wings,
I'd be soaring in flight.
Hannah thinks it isn't good but I think it's simply lovely.
5th tape, Side A, CLAY JENSEN. Unlike others, Clay isn't supposed to be in the list. He doesn't do anything wrong. But Hannah wanted to say sorry. Sorry for not knowing him more. Clay regrets that as well. -----This made me cry :(
Side B of the same tape, Justin Foley...AGAIN! Clay and Hannah have their first kiss on a party at that same party are Justin and Jessica. When Jessica, passes out, Justin brings her into the room where Hannah and Clay kissed. Hannah's still there but Justin doesn't notice. Justin left Jessica and Bryce comes in... and rapes Jessica. Hannah is there hiding on the cabinet. Hannah doesn't do anything to stop Bryce and neither does Justin.
Side A, 6th tape, Jenny Kurtz. Jenny Kurtz is the cheerleader. Jenny Kurtz asks Hannah if she needs a ride home. Hannah comes home with her but she's too drunk to drive and hit a STOP sign. The sign falls but Jenny doesn't want to report. She leaves it there and causes an accident later on.
Side B of the same tape, Bryce Walker. There's a party near where Hannah is house-sitting. Hannah goes out near the party when Courtney and Bryce see her while they are down the hot tub. Hannah joins them and he lets Bryce abuse her sexually.
Last tape, side A, Mr. Porter, the school guidance counselor. Hannah asks him about suicide. Hannah does this to try to change her mind but it only makes her finally decide and set to kill herself.
Side B, "Thank You."
I find this book cool because it made me realize that even the small things I do might affect other people. The things I say might hurt other people. The simple moves I do, might have big impact on other people.
I'm so excited for the movie adaptation of this book. AWESOME :))
Say what you want to say on the comment box. :)) Thank you!
