The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley

Andrew Brawley lives in a hospital. Ever since his family died in a car crash a few months ago, he’s told himself that he will never leave the hospital, just like they never did. He’s adamant that he’ll wait for death. The authorities are looking for him but he’s good at hiding. He has friends and a job, he’s fine.Then another boy comes in, Rusty, who’s suffered a great trauma, and things change for him. Now there’s a new person in Andrew’s life who he’s pulled toward. Andrew wants to help Rusty. And in the process, he finds himself opening up about things that he’s kept locked up ever since his life turned upside down. They feel a kinship, these two kids who are both afraid of the outside world. Andrew because of his guilt and his belief that he doesn’t deserve to live. And Rusty because of the pain the outside world holds.This is a sad book. Andrew is shoving down so many things. And, in his mind, he’s made up reasons for why he’s doing what he’s doing. At first, you’re confused at what’s going on with him. Then, as you get to know him and what happened to him, you understand his feelings and his methods of coping.And while Rusty seems like a very important part of the novel, and he is, he’s not the only important part. Rusty is going through his own problems and he matters to Drew. But we also have Drew’s two friends who live in the pediatric ward. We have Drew’s boss in the cafeteria and three ER nurses who he’s befriended. They all play an important part in Drew’s life and they’re all developed well. Usually, with quite a few character, you find yourself mixing them up but here, it didn’t happen even once. And I liked all of them too. I cared about them and what they meant to Andrew.The story pulls you in through its characters. I do think that, at one point, the book became too sad. Like, you’re supposed to build up to the big, bad moments. But when it’s one after the other without much ceremony, it’s not as effective. And I feel like the author started slacking a little toward the end. The emotional punches stopped landing. Also, I’m just not sure how I feel about the ending.I liked this novel. I thought it was well-written, easy to get through and with really good characters. But toward the end, things went a little wrong. Maybe it was rushed… I think it might have been. But overall, a good book.

This is an inventive take on the typical LGBT YA tale, and certainly an emotional one that deals with important issues: life and death, love and loss, grief and guilt. The comic strip accompanying it is a great touch as well, especially its final pages. But the basic set-up of the story often requires you to suspend your disbelief; you simply have to accept that what is happening on the page could actually occur in real life without any discovery or intervention. It doesn't undermine the message, but I did find at times that it pulled me out of the story. Otherwise, the novel was an enjoyable read.

Very nice coming of age story. Loved the writing style and insight into the characters. Suited to young adult.

Really good. Definitely worth a read.

Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. Very touching

Probably the best book I’ve ever read, a beautiful rollercoaster, that touches your heart and breaks it all at the same time. I highly recommend reading!