book review

13 Reasons Why is a controversial novel by Jay Asher which portrays issues faced by some young adults in society today. The novel provides readers with an insight of the character Hannah Baker's struggles and pain. She starts off as a carefree teenager and descends into a young woman suffering from despair due to the betrayal and constant bullying she endured from peers and teachers at school, culminating with her suicide. Prior to her death, Hannah created an elaborate plan to to expose the people who tormented her to the point of her death. She recorded audio tapes explicitly explaining how each of the 13 people tormented her which led to her suicide.

The controversy in this novel is who is to blame. Some people will argue that it is no one else’s fault but Hannah’s as it was her choice. Yet she blames’ and puts guilt on others for what she did in the end. However others solidly blame the contributors as she would have never thought about self harm if it wasn’t for the actions imposed on her by her tormentors.

We must take into consideration that many cannot express their feelings, these labels do not define who these people are and does not give us a right to treat them like sh*t. Hannah had been labeled and a false reputation was created based on rumours and lies. Hannah states “Not once did I give in to the reputation you'd all set out for me. Not once. Even though sometimes it was hard. Even though, sometimes, I found myself attracted to someone who only wanted to get with me because of what they'd heard. (Page 264/265, Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher)” and when she started to believe that it defined her, it destroyed her. By committing suicide she did not just give in to pain but also the labels.

This book misplaced the image of teachers in the minds of young readers as the teacher Mr Porter, failed to help Hannah when she went to him for guidance. “I need to get on with things, Mr Porter. If nothings going to change, then I'd better get on with it, right?” (Page 279, Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher). A lot of readers who have read this book and whom have been in a similar situation in which Hannah's been in, knows that if you ask someone for help and they do not give you the help you need or want, you see yourself as done; over. That is exactly how Hannah felt when Mr. Porter did no help her in the way that she needed to be helped. Instead of sitting there and talking with her