Book Reviews : Four novels focusing on illness

We see people for who they truly are when faced with their greatest challenge in life. Our health and that of our loved ones is precious and can change drastically at any moment. When young people become seriously ill it is tragic and because of this young adult literature has a long history of romaticising illness. From that large collection I have constructed my most memorable selection of young-adult novels centered on illness. Feel free to read on, there are no spoilers here.

1. Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon.

This novel is simply everything. It was a gift from my dear friend Caitlin and man does she know the kind of books I fall in love with. This novel shows the world of eighteen-year-old Maddy. Maddy's world is her house and she has never left it. Maddy suffers from a Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. Maddy is basically allergic to the outside world and would die if she walked outside where at any moment she could catch an infection. While Maddy has a wonderful nurse and a loving mother she is understandably lonely but then one day a new family moves in next door. Here enters Olly.

Maddy and Olly communicate online, through texting and notes held up to their bedroom windows. Maddy and Olly’s love story is perfect because as individuals they are both fascinating and together their love story is heart wrenching at every turn. Will Maddy choose to be with Olly over her own life?

What sets this novel apart is the visual aids in the form of illustrations, designed by the author’s husband David Yoon, these illustrations aren’t frequent but help readers delve into the life of Maddy. This novel is filled with beautiful quotes, memorable characters and a perfect love story. I finished it on a long plane ride, made loud dramatic gasps throughout, finished it and immediately read it again.

2. Tell the wolves I'm home by Carol Rifta Brunt.

This novel is a debut and man does this author come out swinging with a thought-provoking and gut-wrenching novel.  It follows the life of a young teenager named June who is in love with her uncle. Yes very disturbing but there is nothing inappropriate going on here, this love is that of a niece who idolises her uncle, the most important person in her life. The uncle in question, Finn has an illness no one in his family wants to talk about and he doesn’t have much time left.

When we lose someone close to us we fall apart and have to work slowly to rebuild ourselves in a world without this important person there to walk alongside us. In this novel the two people who loved Finn the most develop an unlikely friendship, a friendship that June’s mother may not approve of if she discovers it. As June wrestles with the many feelings from her uncle’s death and this secret friendship she is keeping from her family this story teaches us all a lesson that we need to accept our loved ones for who they truly are so they can live freely in the small amount of time we all have on this Earth.

Truly an incredible novel that makes us all spot to think how truly important family is. For everyone who like me lost family members this year, remember our complicated feelings are valid and reach out to your family this Christmas.

3. Me and Earl and the dying girl by Jesse Andrews.

This novel follows the life of Greg as he befriends a local girl dying of cancer after a guilt trip from his mother. Earl has a best friend called Earl and they enjoy making films and decide to dedicate a film to the dying Rachel. Earl is by the far the clear winner for best character of this novel. Earl is outrageous at times but has immense depth...unlike Greg. Greg is simply annoying and it is difficult to like him. Greg is the Ted Mosby, the Carrie Bradshaw and the Ross Gellar of this novel. I mean don't get me wrong here, Greg isn't a completely terrible person with no redeeming qualities he just simply isn't great.

Throughout reading this novel all I could think is it would make a much better film, given that Greg and Earl are making a film. I haven’t seen the film yet but I hear from friends that it is indeed wonderful. I just couldn’t bring myself to watch it out of fear I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it because of how insufferable Greg is. Apart of me feels like I simply am not being fair here, maybe I just don't appreciate the unique brilliancy to this novel., after all it is unique like a hipster and a film addict wrote a novel. Characters that are flawed usually are the most interesting and become the most loved of mine, Earl is one of these people, Greg is not. Since this book revolves around Greg it was hard to enjoy. Maybe I need to keep in mind that Greg is simply a person, a person that while mediocre is the perfect example of how some people deal with illness, not well.

4. Side effects may vary by Julie Murphy.

Sixteen-year-old Alice has leukemia and has developed a bucket list. While most bucket lists include things such as swimming with dolphins and skydiving this is no typical bucket list. Alice’s bucket list is controversial and shows exactly who Alice is and what her memory will be when she’s gone. Alice’s friend Harvey is attempting to deal with the impending loss of the love of his life by assisting Alice in this adventure. Alice is the perfect example of how a deeply flawed character can become so beloved by the reader. Alice and Harvey’s relationship is complicated and challenging, which makes the book a roller coaster. Despite Alice going through more of a challenge than any body, let alone a teenager, should face she is at times difficult to sympathies with. This authentic approach to illustrating the story of a dying teenager makes this novel one of my most favourite in this tragic category.

Sending prays to everyone who like me lost a loved one this year to illness.