I read this book because my daughters school sent home a note cautioning about it. I dont usually like YA anyway as they tend to over simplify issues. I didn’t like it for just this reason. Plus trying to make a book about suicide more interesting by adding a treasure hunt just seems wrong to me. I would let my daughter read if she wanted but there would definitely need to be a discussion afterwards.
A friend’s 13 yr old daughter hung herself in May after watching. Devastating family. 2 other young girls in Calif. did likewise. Those parents are suing. All these girls were cautioned NOT to read or watch ?
I only watched the show, but the book is on my TBR. I thought it was an important work, but it’s not something I would recommend to just anyone because it was incredibly hard hitting.
I think it’s an important book and I thought the writing style in “tapes” was interesting. I didn’t find it as intense as the show but still think the topic is an important one to read about
I have nothing good, and lots bad, to say about the show. Nobody has given me a logical reason to read the book. Everyone I’ve heard from says they both have essentially the same fatalistic encouragement towards suicide.
I was warned to avoid it entirely… I wasn’t going to bother with it until one of my Nephlings started raving about it. So I went against my better judgement and watched the show, since the book wasn’t readily available at the time. Since then I have heard from two middle/highschool teachers about the negative impacts they’re seeing and hearing from their students… and a 17 year old girl I know who is already at risk told me (after watching the show) she thinks suicide is noble and brave… “Noble and brave”… That’s a direct quote as a result of that show. Let that sink in…. Unless the book presents some kind of alternative concept (which I KNOW sometimes happens in the transition from book to movie), I have no need to read it, and you won’t ever hear me praise something that condones suicide so wholly.
I enjoyed the book and hated the show. After reading the book, I didn’t view it as a finger pointing thing, I took it more as an accountability thing. Hannah made the choice to suicide and she chose to leave messages to let people know how their actions affected her. Some of the wording made her seem catty…then I remembered her age and it fit. After everything, my understanding was they were all guilty…Clay included (he even admits this) because even if they didn’t all do something intentionally or unintentionally to her, they all witnessed things and chose to feed into it instead of speaking out against it. The show annoyed me because it was very forced, extra, and melodramatic (even more than the book). I get that a lot of people like it but…It was a no from me.
Actually, let me speak more on that piss poor excuse for a show. I am a believe of diversity… not forced inclusion, which is what happened on that show. The show also came across as a way to get back at those who “caused her” to suicide. -Rolls my eyes- There was so much contrived in this show for the sake of drama and “promoting a message” it annoyed my entire spirit. I literally couldn’t make it through the whole thing because it was that frustrating (no, I don’t need to watch the entire season to have an opinion because the foolishness did not disappear as the episodes continued). I don’t know about it glamorizing suicide, because I don’t see an actual way to do so. I look at it more as a failed scare tactic for bullying with an oversight on the main issue “suicide and the healing process”. This show focused more on the bullying and revenge aspect, which was dumb. While bullying is a prominent topic, and has been for decades now, they turned this into a soap opera of bullying that yields to more bullying even after they attempted to tie Hannah’s story in a neat little bow where all the ones who she felt hurt her got what they deserved. in reality, when someone kills themselves, there isnt always justice and people still have to find a way to cope with the death as well as with the fact that they may or may not have been able to help. This show was supposed to show that, and instead they showed melodramatics and after school special theatrics.
I have not seen the show, nor do I have any plans to. I have read and hated the book. Suicide and mental illness and even bullying are all complex issues that were way oversimplified and dumbed down for the text. There is no character development for Hannah (yes, I know she’s already dead but she’s telling half of the story—her story and she left out a lot) and Clay was generic and forgettable. I understand the idea behind it is to open up discussions about these issues but I felt it could have been done so much better. It’s a book, Asher could have taken more time to develop the characters and layer in that each of the people on those tapes, no matter how despicable their actions, were also dealing with a lot of the same stuff Hannah was (in some cases, worse things) but maybe they had better coping mechanisms than she did or maybe they weren’t suffering from a mental illness (I don’t know if Hannah was because it was never addressed). Also, as a co-narrator why was Clay chosen? I would have been way more interested in Jessica’s perspective, as she had not only been friends with Hannah, but she was also blamed for things that she both did and did not have control of.
I’ve only seen the show and I have the book on my TBR list. The show was ok but it is easy to misunderstand the message and the characters. I get the controversy caused by the show. Suicide, bullying, guilt and different social aspects are always a difficult subject. You have to be able to get out of your own comfort zone to be able to see and discuss them. I liked the way these issues were approached from more then one point of view. I can’t wait to read the book and I can only congratulate the author to write about such sensitive subjects.
I read the book and have watched the series too! Initially the narrative was chaotic, but got intriguing and engaging till the end.. Well, this is my view.
I found the plot/concept is really intriqued but the writing style is boring, the characters are not too impressive. Tbh I think it’s overrated probably a bit.
Definitely a very controversal book. And it seems most people either loved it or hated it. Unfortunately suicide is a real thing – If someone wants to kill or hurt thereself, there are issues in their life – depression being a very strong link, and some are very surprised when it happens or others see there were warning signs, but it’s so hard to see those warning signs when your close to the person. You think, they’ll get over it. I think the most important thing to get out of this book, is to be aware of the signs, know how much social media is affecting your children. When I was a teenager – there was no facebook, instagram etc. These days bullying is taken to a whole level. Any life taken through suicide is heartbreaking and usually they are the only ones who know why. With that said I enjoyed the book – I thought it was more realistic that the show, and it shows what kids think and do at that age. My biggest take away, be very involved with my child and aware of what she’s doing, even though I know that can be difficult when it comes to teenager.
the book was good and the show was also good
I loved tv series not read the book tho x
I read this book because my daughters school sent home a note cautioning about it. I dont usually like YA anyway as they tend to over simplify issues. I didn’t like it for just this reason. Plus trying to make a book about suicide more interesting by adding a treasure hunt just seems wrong to me. I would let my daughter read if she wanted but there would definitely need to be a discussion afterwards.
The book I love series haven’t watched
The series was like a bonus for the book lovers… Moved by the book… Loved the series….
Book was very eh for me. Nothing special. I actually mostly disliked it.
A friend’s 13 yr old daughter hung herself in May after watching. Devastating family. 2 other young girls in Calif. did likewise. Those parents are suing. All these girls were cautioned NOT to read or watch ?
I only watched the show, but the book is on my TBR. I thought it was an important work, but it’s not something I would recommend to just anyone because it was incredibly hard hitting.
I think it’s an important book and I thought the writing style in “tapes” was interesting. I didn’t find it as intense as the show but still think the topic is an important one to read about
I have nothing good, and lots bad, to say about the show. Nobody has given me a logical reason to read the book. Everyone I’ve heard from says they both have essentially the same fatalistic encouragement towards suicide.
I was warned to avoid it entirely… I wasn’t going to bother with it until one of my Nephlings started raving about it. So I went against my better judgement and watched the show, since the book wasn’t readily available at the time. Since then I have heard from two middle/highschool teachers about the negative impacts they’re seeing and hearing from their students… and a 17 year old girl I know who is already at risk told me (after watching the show) she thinks suicide is noble and brave… “Noble and brave”… That’s a direct quote as a result of that show. Let that sink in…. Unless the book presents some kind of alternative concept (which I KNOW sometimes happens in the transition from book to movie), I have no need to read it, and you won’t ever hear me praise something that condones suicide so wholly.
I enjoyed the book and hated the show. After reading the book, I didn’t view it as a finger pointing thing, I took it more as an accountability thing. Hannah made the choice to suicide and she chose to leave messages to let people know how their actions affected her. Some of the wording made her seem catty…then I remembered her age and it fit. After everything, my understanding was they were all guilty…Clay included (he even admits this) because even if they didn’t all do something intentionally or unintentionally to her, they all witnessed things and chose to feed into it instead of speaking out against it. The show annoyed me because it was very forced, extra, and melodramatic (even more than the book). I get that a lot of people like it but…It was a no from me.
Actually, let me speak more on that piss poor excuse for a show. I am a believe of diversity… not forced inclusion, which is what happened on that show. The show also came across as a way to get back at those who “caused her” to suicide. -Rolls my eyes- There was so much contrived in this show for the sake of drama and “promoting a message” it annoyed my entire spirit. I literally couldn’t make it through the whole thing because it was that frustrating (no, I don’t need to watch the entire season to have an opinion because the foolishness did not disappear as the episodes continued). I don’t know about it glamorizing suicide, because I don’t see an actual way to do so. I look at it more as a failed scare tactic for bullying with an oversight on the main issue “suicide and the healing process”. This show focused more on the bullying and revenge aspect, which was dumb. While bullying is a prominent topic, and has been for decades now, they turned this into a soap opera of bullying that yields to more bullying even after they attempted to tie Hannah’s story in a neat little bow where all the ones who she felt hurt her got what they deserved. in reality, when someone kills themselves, there isnt always justice and people still have to find a way to cope with the death as well as with the fact that they may or may not have been able to help. This show was supposed to show that, and instead they showed melodramatics and after school special theatrics.
mkay im done
The book bored me to tears so I didn’t go anywhere near the tv series.
I have not seen the show, nor do I have any plans to. I have read and hated the book. Suicide and mental illness and even bullying are all complex issues that were way oversimplified and dumbed down for the text. There is no character development for Hannah (yes, I know she’s already dead but she’s telling half of the story—her story and she left out a lot) and Clay was generic and forgettable. I understand the idea behind it is to open up discussions about these issues but I felt it could have been done so much better. It’s a book, Asher could have taken more time to develop the characters and layer in that each of the people on those tapes, no matter how despicable their actions, were also dealing with a lot of the same stuff Hannah was (in some cases, worse things) but maybe they had better coping mechanisms than she did or maybe they weren’t suffering from a mental illness (I don’t know if Hannah was because it was never addressed). Also, as a co-narrator why was Clay chosen? I would have been way more interested in Jessica’s perspective, as she had not only been friends with Hannah, but she was also blamed for things that she both did and did not have control of.
This book glorifies suicide as a means for achieving things.so dumb concept. I hate it
Hannah did read like that, yes.
I’ve only seen the show and I have the book on my TBR list. The show was ok but it is easy to misunderstand the message and the characters. I get the controversy caused by the show. Suicide, bullying, guilt and different social aspects are always a difficult subject. You have to be able to get out of your own comfort zone to be able to see and discuss them. I liked the way these issues were approached from more then one point of view. I can’t wait to read the book and I can only congratulate the author to write about such sensitive subjects.
Most shittiest book and the shittiest TV series. I dislike it with all my heart.personally I don’t hate any author, but I hate Jay.
I loved the Series but the Book was very disappointing ?
I read the book and have watched the series too! Initially the narrative was chaotic, but got intriguing and engaging till the end.. Well, this is my view.
I found the plot/concept is really intriqued but the writing style is boring, the characters are not too impressive. Tbh I think it’s overrated probably a bit.
Definitely a very controversal book. And it seems most people either loved it or hated it. Unfortunately suicide is a real thing – If someone wants to kill or hurt thereself, there are issues in their life – depression being a very strong link, and some are very surprised when it happens or others see there were warning signs, but it’s so hard to see those warning signs when your close to the person. You think, they’ll get over it. I think the most important thing to get out of this book, is to be aware of the signs, know how much social media is affecting your children. When I was a teenager – there was no facebook, instagram etc. These days bullying is taken to a whole level. Any life taken through suicide is heartbreaking and usually they are the only ones who know why. With that said I enjoyed the book – I thought it was more realistic that the show, and it shows what kids think and do at that age. My biggest take away, be very involved with my child and aware of what she’s doing, even though I know that can be difficult when it comes to teenager.
Absolutely loved it!!! It was like someone took my past and set it to paper – Haven’t watched the TV series yet though