If I stay

Having recently been released in cinemas, I decided to read the book 'If I stay' by Gayle Forman, which I enjoyed reading. Despite the serious themes within this short novel, it is an easy accessible read. Written through the point of view of seventeen year old Mia in the aftermath of a traumatic car accident that leaves her family dead and her in a coma,  she is conveying what is happening through an out of body experience.

Mia had been living a good and happy life, with her love and talent for the cello leading her to an opportunity at a prestigious music college, having loving parents and family and a wonderful boyfriend... until one icy day that changes everything. She now has a decision to make: whether to stay or go; to wake up from her coma or join her parents in whatever comes next. The story switches backwards and forwards between the present and flashbacks of the past, which allows for the reader to learn about Mia's sense of belonging in her world. I enjoyed this technique, as the past events seem to link well with the reflections that Mia is making when she is at the hospital, also as it provided for more character development.

The present tense of the novel is only set in the space of twenty-four hours- the text itself isn't divided into chapters, but rather into the passing of time spent in her coma at the hospital. During these moments in the hospital, the reader witnesses alongside Mia, the different people in her life, most of them willing her to stay. Some of these moments are incredibly touching, for example, a particular scene was when her grandfather speaks to her saying it is alright if she chooses to let go. I got teary at that, because it is written with so much understanding and compassion, that you really admire Forman's writing style. I was also incredibly moved towards the very end of the book, when her boyfriend Adam returns. I'm not going to say too much, because I don't want to spoil the story for anyone who is planning to read it.

I wish I have seen the movie to compare the two, but I haven't. But it will be interesting to see how the directer turned the book structure into something cinematic.

7/10