Girl in Pieces

Ich habe das Buch vor ca. einem Jahr gelesen und ich muss bis heute in regelmäßigen Abständen daran denken. Wie viel kann, ein junger Mensch ertragen bis er bricht? Mich hat diese Geschichte so mitgenommen, mir das Herz gebrochen und es auch irgendwie wieder zusammengeflickt. Es ist ein schweres Buch mit schweren Themen, und man sollte es wirklich nur lesen, wenn man sich mental bereit dazu fühlt.

Trigger Warning: Selfharm, Suicide, Drug Abuse, Sexual Abuse “People should know about us. Girls who write their pain on their bodies.” „Girl in Pieces“ is a heart wrenching story about survival, physically as well as mentally. When 17 year old Charlie is released from the psychiatric hospital she tries to get her life back on track. The author tackles serious issues like selfharm in a sensitive yet relatable way and shows a deep understanding of the battles people with mental illness face everyday. This is the book that made me fall in love with Kathleen Glasgows writing.

Authentic. Believable. Realistic. Important. Fast-paced. This book surprised me. To be fair- I wasn’t expecting much. Or anything, really. For my liking it was too hyped on social media and usually all that does to me is take away all motivation to consume said hyped thing. But I wanted to know if it really is something worth reading. So I gave it a chance. And I liked it. Yes I thought the beginning was a bit plump and maybe a bit too fast (yes that is possible) and on the nose but hey- that way everyone knows what the book is about on the first page and we’re off to continue the story. (I haven’t read any blurbs prior so I started without any clue whatsoever.) The chapters/sections of the book are incredibly short and the language was very easy to read. Especially easy to read VERY FAST which I liked. The story about a very troubled young woman who had many hardships in her life comes off really authentic (which makes sense since it’s based on the author’s own experiences as far as I know) and down to earth. The characters feel like real people and they act and talk like real people would. I felt like I learned things. At least understand some things better. It had very bone chilling passages and moments of great suspense. The romantic relationship is somewhat at the center of the plot but not what the plot is ABOUT. It’s very much a coming-of-age story. A story about drugs, addiction, self-harm, alcohol abuse, homelessness, and various other “difficult” topics and all are handled and portrayed INCREDIBLY WELL. Now I kind of get the hype. Or at least I understand why many read this book. I also agree that amongst the various books about said topics this is the one I would recommend most. Do with that what you will. (The audio book is also excellent - before writing the review I gave it a listen and Julia Whelan reads and performs it masterfully! )

I loved the beginning and ending but to be honest in the middle it's quite boring. Some parts were pretty exciting again but the excitement didn't last long. The book does have some deep meanings and it gives your feelings words, but it just isn't the right one for me.