Girl in Pieces

5/5 ★

This book was detrimentally heavy but I enjoyed it all the same. The book was not at all what I expected; it was better. I thought this would be an average book about a traumatized girl or centered around a vicious murder. And in a sense it was. But I love the way the book was written, from the short journal entry like chapters to the characterization of each and every character no matter how small. While reading the book I felt that it was important enough and made you think about bigger concepts in smaller terms that it should be a book students read in high school. Because genuinely although it was an easy read literally, metaphorically there were several heavy topics that I had to wade through and understand in my own time. I feel like this book shares a story that not only teaches us about what that kind of life is like, but also gives us room to interpret it in our own ways and feel the pain and grief that those people go through daily. It wouldn't suffice for me to say that the book shows a glimpse of the author (and other cutters') lives because it takes us through Kathleen Glasgow's journey through her eyes and we also get to see her heal. Specifically I think the book is so successful in portraying the story and delivering the intended understandings because we are in a way transported into the author's mind. We read her emotions and panics and debates about doing the right thing or doing what feels good in the moment. At several times I cried because the emotions were very overwhelming for me and the writing itself was so good that it hit home. This is one of my top favorites and I finally see why everyone recommends that you read it at least once. It feels like an important hurdle to cross and a necessary pain that needs to be felt.

Recommendation

Although I loved this book and will always think people need to read this to fully comprehend another perspective, I do realize that it's a bit of a heavy book and should only be read by high schoolers and up. Even then if you are sensitive be forewarned. There is nothing terribly toxic in the book that is inappropriate it's just the trauma dump can be a lot at times. That being said, it will always hold a special place in my heart and I have a feeling that if you read it you will say the same.

Girl in Pieces