Review: heartbreaking and beautifully told x
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 4, 2013
This book left me reeling, so much so that when my response to the story fully registered I had to wake my husband up to talk to him about it!The way A Million Little Snowflakes honestly and openly delves into Oliver's emotions surrounding his depression it should have a cult following, like The Catcher in The Rye. Oliver is an unlikely hero, but one whose life Logan Byrne compels us to read about nonetheless; he feels he disappoints his parents by not being the 'perfect' son, at home, school and church; he compares himself to his younger sister who he feels is loved more; he admits his feelings of depression to his mother but she says he is 'possessed'. When Oliver says out loud, "I want to kill myself" it is clear to see that this is just an outlet of emotion and anger, but still Oliver does not understand that even the thought of this is a dangerous sign of depression.Although I was initially interested in reading this book because of its plot, I think it is Logan Byrne's characters which make the story so original, strong and moving. The author ensures that all of the individuals he creates, whether they have a minor or major role in the story, all have meaningful and relevant input. The best examples of this are Esther, Charles and Tucker. Esther and Charles are two adult patients who Lacey, Oliver and Marcus meet whilst eating in the dining room. Esther and Charles see further into Lacey and Oliver's relationship than either of them have admitted,"Like I told you, youngin', life is too short to mess around, and if you don't live for now you might be blown away by the hands of time," Esther said with a smile before her and Charles got up and left the table, leaving us the weird yet insightful wisdom."The romance between Lacey and Oliver is touching and gentle, each of them opening up to the other about their depression and anxiety. Oliver and Lacey support each other, not only by talking, but by being there with a look or gesture during in group time.There is a strong message in this book; Logan  enters the Psych ward judging his fellow patients on sight but soon learns that like the snowflakes in Lacey's book everyone suffers in a different way and we are all unique.A Million Little Snowflakes is a story I wanted to climb inside so I could hug the characters and at that moment I knew things had changed, yell 'STOP!" Logan Byrne is an author now firmly on my favourites list and this book has a special place in my heart forever.