If I Stay - By Gayle Forman.

How to describe this book in a sentence? I myself don’t even know. I feel as if I’ll just continue writing this review, but not actually tell you what my thoughts actually are, or maybe I will, all I know is I feel very confused at this current moment.

If I stay is most definitely an interesting novel – one of the pluses to reading is that we as readers can get so easily engrossed, however when it comes to the books of this specific genre, I find it difficult to state my opinion as I know people maybe sceptical about the value of it.

In this story, Gayle Forman discusses dying, death and tragedy and for me, I can only take it with my years of experience, so whilst others maybe completely sad whilst reading this novel, I only feel a little remorse and then determination to continue.

With this book, it allows your personal perspective to almost evolve; in this story, we have Mia (the protagonist) whom is involved in a car crash with her family, yet some how she is offered the chance to have an outer body experience where she is capable of watching the scene after having it occur.

The story is initially told from Mia’s point of view and throughout the novel, we go along with her thoughts, experience her emotions and follow her decisions. The ultimate question is: Will Mia live or die?

I feel it is more of a documentation then a story, as throughout the chapters we are shown the ups and downs of Mia’s life, to which makes her uncertain about her return, then to make the aspect just a little more difficult, Forman shows the responses from the family members, as well as her closest friends.

I feel as if I wrote down my opinion, I don’t think any one would generally desire or have any curiosity in knowing it because with this story, I feel it’s more of a personal procedure to go through.

What I can mention is that, before this novel I found myself to be quite thankful for being allowed the opportunities I do, despite the misfortune I have suffered, however reading this book, I’m reminded that some are not given the chance to restart again so it is vital that we take the chances we do have, whilst we still remain.

It is written beautifully and I found myself to be captivated, not to mention the images are painted easily in my mind. I can say with conviction that although this novel doesn’t make my favourites list, it will most definitely not be forgotten.