Willow by Julia Hoban | Online Book Review

Willow by Julia Hoban is the story of Willow; a seventeen year old girl who tries to cope with the tragedy of a terrible accident which took the lives of her parents by secretly cutting herself.

My book review rating: 5 stars – couldn’t put it down

I was beginning to think I’d lost my reading mojo this year; after the vast number of books I got through in 2008 I’ve gotten off to a very slow start. But when I opened the package containing Willow by Julia Hoban, I took one look at the cover and knew this book would reignite the spark!

I had to take a four hour train journey today so I settled down in my seat for some uninterrupted reading time. I have to say that this book had me riveted from the first paragraph – I was actually disappointed that I had to take a break in the middle of reading it to attend the conference I was travelling to!

In this Young Adult novel, Hoban takes the very sensitive subject of self-harm and delivers a powerful story. Of how people cope with loss, of our perceptions of the world around us, and how sometimes we see things differently to everyone else, almost to the point of paranoia.

The characters are believable, from Willow herself, a girl wracked with guilt over the death of her parents, who believes the only way to stay strong is to cut her skin with razor blades. Guy – the boy she meets who is the one person she can really be herself with; his sensitivity and understand him make him the kind of person anyone would be very lucky to know. And David, her elder brother who one stormy night finds himself moved to a whole other role, of parent and guardian, and is struggling in his own way to cope with the tragedy that has engulfed them both.

In Willow, Hoban forces us to look more deeply into what causes people to resort to self-harm, the effects it has on them and on the people around them. I would highly recommend it to anyone, whether you are a young adult or not, and am looking forward to reading anything else Hoban has to offer.

Want to know more about WILLOW? Read my interview with Julia Hoban.

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Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy —one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down. Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

• ISBN13: 9780803733565
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Very worthy...

Review Date: April 30, 2009

Reviewer: Lemonlight, Colorado Springs, CO

Let me preface by saying both that I have read a LOT of books and that usually I do not care for teen angst. Where Teen suicide, drinking, drug use, or disorder is the theme, I tend to steer clear. The temptation for adult authors writing about teen disorder, is to make their character (and the character's disorder) too... syrupy, too convenient, too rational, too accessible/acceptable to today's teens. I don't like that. Having said that, I do not know why I picked "Willow" up and scanned the first page. But I did. I don't know why the voice of the main character was so compelling. But she was. I read the whole book in a little under four hours. Willow is an extraordinary character. Absolutely real, utterly believable, surprising, refreshing, and strong despite what she does to herself, and despite what has happened to her. That's the amazing thing. Willow is still strong. I would say that you should read the book if only to get to know this character, but there are so many other reasons as well!! There was humor, there were parts where I had to close the book and cry, and there were parts that were so subtly triumphant that I cheered. All types can appreciate this book, which should become a classic of teen literature. Move over, Speak! Cut, your time is over

The Story Siren Reviews:

Review Date: April 2, 2009

Reviewer: The Story Siren, Indiana

I'm not even sure where to start this review. I've honestly written this review almost five times and haven't been happy with what I've spit out. I'm not sure I can do this book justice. To say that it was spectacular would be an understatement. To say that I had a hard time putting it down, widely understated! Yet, why? Because in all seriousness, reading a story about a `cutter' didn't really appeal to me. I mean sure it sounded interesting, and I've read books about eating disorders, drugs, so why not try cutting. So I did. I totally agree with Hoban's choice to write this novel in third person. Had it not been written from Willow's POV, I know I wouldn't have found it as impressive as I did. I needed that insight, I needed to know why someone would do that to their self. And I hate to admit it but I understood, I empathized, I accepted it. Hoban doesn't dance around the fact, there are some shockingly graphic scenes, but instead of grotesque they are honest and revealing. And it's not only the characterization of Willow that's impressive. It's the disheartening portrayal of Willow's brother David, and her warped sense of his withdrawal. It's the eccentric relationship between Willow and Guy. It's the secondary characters that have some of the smallest parts but remain prominent in your mind. For me I, couldn't stop thinking about the girl at the restaurant. Willow is about so much more than cutting. It's about love. Not only first love, but the power of redemption that only love can posses. Still haven't done the book justice, but I'll leave you with this. Yes, cutting is a painful subject to read about. But Willow was skillfully and uniquely told. Essentially the message is uplifting, even the worst of situations can improve. Glad I did.

Insightful and emotional

Review Date: April 2, 2009

Reviewer: The Compulsive Reader, Big Rapids, MI, USA

Willow has been living in a fog for seven months. She performs basic functions--eating communicating, and going to school, but inside she's struggling to deal with a torrent of guilt and pain brought on by the events of a rainy night seven months previously when her parents died in the car she was driving after Willow had lost control of the vehicle. Isolated and lonely, Willow has turned to her only outlet for her grief--cutting. She manages to keep her growing obsession with the razor blade a secret from everyone--until one day easygoing and hardworking Guy discovers her secret. Rather than look the other way, he becomes determined to help Willow, even though her attitude to him is far from warm. But as time goes by, Willow finds the perhaps a friend is what she needs, and slowly Guy draws her out of her shell. But is Willow strong enough to let go of her only release for her pain, and discover new ways of living? Willow is a striking and mesmerizing read. What stands out the most is the fact that Hoban focuses just as much on the developing emotions of her characters rather than making the act of cutting the only forefront issue, which gives the book a very sincere and captivating quality. Willow is an intelligent and sensitive character who, though some people may not be able to empathize with on some levels, is a very natural and dynamic character that readers can identify with. The issue of cutting is handled very smoothly and is looked at from both sides, which will placate a diverse group of readers. Another element of the novel that stands out is the vivid imagery Hoban employs to set the scene of the book without being overly elaborate, creating a tangible universe for her story. The plot flows at a smooth and steady pace that is easy to follow and completely realistic. Willow is a beautifully written story, wrought with grief, pain, hope, and love that is tender without being cheesy, and optimistic without being cliché or improbable. At the close of the novel, Hoban continues in her practice of keeping it real with a step towards healing that isn't highly dramatic, but hopeful and plausible, leaving readers wishing and hoping for the very best, and unwilling to say goodbye to Willow.