Book Review: Willow

Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban
Publisher: Viking, Penguin
Pages: 336 pages
Release Date: April 2, 2009


Okay this book is one I’ve been lusting for so long. And now that I finally got to read it and needless to say I was enamored by it.

The book begins with Willow, seventeen living in NYC with her older brother David and his young family, seven month after her parents died in a horrible car accident. As if the accident isn’t already enough to make anyone mourn for years what makes it worse is Willow was the one driving. This of course leads her in a state of depression, constantly relieving the terrible events of the accident. Willow unused to such pain, resorts to cutting herself as a antidote for her mental pain of being an orphan and being a burden to David and his family. No one knows about her situation, that is until Guy, who is determined to prevent Willow’s from causing herself pain. The book chronicles Willow’s road to recovery, realization, redemption and first love, with the help of the people who matter the most, the people who loves her.

The book is told in the third person narrative but the readers stay with Willow and everything she feels and experiences is witnessed and yes this does mean the cutting scenes. It was fascinating to find out what drives a her to begin cutting and why she feels it is necessary.

Guy is any girls dream, supportive, protective and yet not so overbearing unlike some male characters (coughEdwardCullencough). I understood his overwhelming need to help Willow because he bluntly states that he does not want her in his conscious if something happens to her. As someone who has that same mentality, I can see why he feels that way. Guy was a prominent character because through his and Willow’s interaction, readers witnessed just how much Willow has developed from the beginning of the novel to the end.

Overall, a great book, exemplifying just how complex humans are. I would definitely recommend this as a must read, for those curious of the inner workings of a “cutter.”



WORDS TO KNOW
diffidently- lacking in self-confidence
dubious- 1) hesitating or doubting (2) not to be relied upon (3) of questionable value
stupendously-extremely impressive
opiate-something that causes a unrealistic sense of contentment
diatribe (n)- a harsh and forceful verbal attack
pallid-pale, especially because of poor health (2) feeble
oblique-not explicit or direct
reprimand (n)-formal expression of disapproval
alchemy(n)- a mysterious or paradoxical process
genuflect(v)- lower one’s body by bending one knee to the ground in worship or sign of respect
cataclysm(n)- a violent upheaval or disaster
frivolous(a)- not having any serious purpose or value (2) carefree and superficial
desultorily-(a) lacking purpose or enthusiasm (2) going from one thing to another erratically
innocuous(a)- not harmful or offensive



Memorial Weekend Read