“It doesn’t have to be a happily ever after or happily always. Just a happily once. A happily sometimes. Hope. That’d make our pain worth it” (Nijkamp 244).
Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is about two best friends, Corey and Kyra, from Lost Creek, Alaska. When Kyra is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Corey is the first and only person in Lost Creek to defend and support her as the rest of the town turns on Kyra. The two are inseparable best friends until one day, Corey and her family move away, leaving Kyra in Lost Creek. When Corey finally comes back, she finds Kyra dead, a victim of suicide. The rest of Lost Creek treat Corey like a stranger. They speak in whispers and tell Corey that Kyra’s death was inevitable, that it was meant to be. Corey refuses to believe the people of Lost Creek. Nothing makes sense; nothing supports their claim. Through Corey’s thoughts and flashbacks, Before I Let Go tells a story of Corey and Kyra’s friendship and how Corey tries to find the reason for Kyra’s death.
Overall, this novel has a captivating story that makes the reader wonder and turn the page to learn more. Nijkamp reveals small pieces of the tale bit by bit, using small yet crucial details in Kyra’s paintings as well as Corey’s flashbacks. The switching between past and present is difficult to adjust to, but with time, it makes the story more interesting to read. The author connects these flashbacks well with the present story, and it steps away from the usual chronological order most books tend to lean towards. In addition, the author fits in letters from Kyra in between chapters, which also give a unique structure to the story. In addition, these letters show the reader the close bond between Kyra and Corey.
Corey and Kyra’s relationship is one aspect of the book that makes it so captivating. Corey and Kyra considered each other best friends. They loved each other, and this is apparent in Corey’s flashbacks to when Kyra was alive. The use of flashbacks shows how close Corey and Kyra were, how they interacted with each other, and how they felt about each other. Not all of Kyra and Corey’s relationship is revealed at the beginning of the book. Instead, it is slowly revealed and described through Corey’s actions and flashbacks. This use of storytelling makes the story more captivating and makes the reader want to know more about Corey and Kyra’s’relationship.
In addition to the well-written relationship, Nijkamp portrays heavy topics well. When Corey hears about Kyra’s death, her first reaction is denial, which is the first stage of grief. She denies that Kyra is dead; she cannot believe it because they had promised each other that they would wait for each other. Eventually, Corey realizes that Kyra is, in fact, dead, and her next reaction is anger. She suddenly gets angry at the people of Lost Creek because of how accepting they are of it. The way they say that Kyra’s death was inevitable angers Corey. Her anger is a driving force for Corey, causing her to persistently find the reason for Kyra’s death. This portrayal of Corey’s grief feels very authentic and realistic, making the reader more empathetic towards Corey.
The effective portrayal of Corey’s grief after Kyra’s death leads to one theme in Before I Let Go, which is that life does not always have to be happy, and it does not always end happily either. Kyra perfectly explains this in one of Corey’s flashbacks. “It doesn’t have to be a happily ever after or happily always. Just a happily once. A happily sometimes. Hope. That’d make our pain worth it” (Nijkamp 244). Life does not need to be happy all the time, and in truth, it is impossible to be happy all the time. One or more happy moments are enough to make the pain worth it. This lesson seems to be hard for Corey to understand and accept throughout the story, and I think this is common among most people. Especially in the modern world and with social media, many people feel the need to be perfect and show that their lives are always amazing, great, and happy. However, this is an unrealistic standard. It is ok to not be happy. If there is one sole reason to read Before I Let Go, it would be this powerful lesson.
Works Cited
Nijkamp, Marieke. Before I Let Go. Overdrive ed., Sourcebooks, 2017.
The quote you used at the top of the post is very striking. Both the story and the format sound captivating, especially with the way it switches between past and present with letters too. Also, the theme that everything doesn't always have to be happy is important and quite relevant.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a very good story, with a great message. I like how the stages of grief are shown in the main character, as well as having the relationship of Corey and Kyra being expanded on with flashbacks throughout the story. All of this makes me want to read Before I Let Go.
ReplyDeleteWow, this seems like such an intriguing story. I agree with you that switching between the past and present makes everything more interesting. The overall theme explained in your last paragraph seems heavy but important to understand! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good! How Corey evolves throughout the story seems like a very realistic and true reaction to her situation, which can make for a more sincere connection between the characters and the readers. Like you mentioned, it is hard to let go of the idea of being happy all the time because I think it puts one in a more vulnerable place, but I’m glad the book incorporates that idea.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really intriguing. I don't often see friendship as the highlighted relationship in books, and I am really glad that this book focuses on the friendship of these characters. It sounds like a sad and powerful book, and I would really like to read it!
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