Book review: If I Stay

If I Stay- Gayle Forman

I'm not really one for young adult fiction. Not that there's anything I particularly dislike about it, but they tend to have life-affirming, schmaltzy morals and I'm a bit too cynical for that. However, while in America, there was a bit of hype surrounding the upcoming film adaptation of If I Stay, and it was being promoted a lot in bookshops so I gave it a whirl. 

If I Stay is the tale of Mia, a 17 year old who is involved in a car accident that kills her family. Although she survives the initial crash, her body enters a coma and she becomes separated from it, able to witness everything that is happening around her while remaining unseen and unheard by anybody. Over time, Mia realises that she needs to decide whether to stay on earth or let go and pass on. 

Let's be honest here: It's pretty obvious how the story will end. This makes it quite difficult to get into it as I knew the whole time what was going to happen. There's no element of suspense or surprise.

There are also a lot of frustrating elements to the character of Mia. It seems as though Forman has tried to create the hippest, coolest, most Tumblr-worthy epitome of teenage aspirations. She is a quiet, studious cellist who enjoys reading and classical music, despite her punk-rock musician parents. Despite her introverted character, her boyfriend is the most popular guy in school and- get this- he's the guitarist in a popular emo band named Shooting Star. It's almost formulaic in Forman's attempt to muster up an unwittingly cool character which just ends up jarring and almost cringeworthy.

However, I think the most difficult element for me to get on board with was how much stock Mia puts in her boyfriend. I know what it's like to be 17 and in love. Believe me, at that age, my boyfriend was my entire world, but is it really a positive message to give young girls? Until Adam touches her comatose body, the bodyless Mia is unable to move and sapped of all energy. She spends her hours just waiting for him, mourning for his voice. She is offered the opportunity to attend a highly prestigious musical college but isn't sure if she can bear to be away from him. I think I'd prefer a more independent protagonist. 

Although Forman has clearly tried to create a moving, emotional account of a young girl realising the possibilities of love and life, but unfortunately it just falls flat.