starbo

This was a realistic story overall, and a good portrayal of a dysfunctional family. Katie's family is falling apart, especially her older brother. Her dad is a psychiatrist who works all the time, and her mother is an alcoholic. Her brother is diagnosed as schizophrenic, and as the story continues, his mental illness grows. Her parents send her to boarding school as a result, where she begins as a sophomore. In order to fit in, she tells everyone at the school "an untruth," and they conclude that her brother is dead. She doesn't correct them, and no one knows her secret except for her roommate Mazzie - not her boyfriend, Drew, or any of the girls in her close circle of friends. Katie is a talented swimmer, and she feels like the only place she can be herself and truly is breathe is when she is in the water. When she is a senior, things begin to fall apart and she has to deal with the consequences of her actions. I enjoyed the book, but it felt a little long in places. I'm glad the author tried to demonstrate the results of teen actions and family dysfunction, without it feeling preachy, and I think the family connection throughout all the illness was well done. My favorite character was Mazzie, by far.

2022-11-14 14:05