Review: Handles teen suicide with sensitivity and understanding
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 2, 2013
The subject of teenage suicide is difficult to address. Adults feel uncomfortable talking about it. Many try to turn a blind eye and pretend it doesn't exist. They can't quite comprehend that a young person might take such a drastic step. Needless to say, they're shocked when it actually happens. It seems like a rude awakening when usually the warning signs are already there, but the dots aren't connected in time.And that's why novels like COLORS LIKE MEMORIES are so important. They're able to reach the kids who need them the most. They are a source of hope and understanding when the adults in their lives can't fully grasp the severity of what they are going through. They offer a lifeline when constant bullying, an abusive relationship or a troubled home environment get to be too much. They bring teens back from the brink and show them that someone realizes the pain they're in and wants to help.That's why placing such a crucial topic in the hands of a capable author like Meradeth Houston is a godsend. She approaches her audience with sensitivity and compassion. Yes, she's telling a fictional story about angel-like beings and a mysterious Island, but she grounds her novel in reality by focusing on the character of Marcy. She's a young girl on the brink. Her mother died in a car accident. Her father is comatose drunk. Her ex-boyfriend harasses her. And saddest of all, she has a razor blade named Fred. The one she uses to try to kill herself on multiple occasions.And that's where Houston's ability to connect with potential victims shines through. She shows them that no matter how bleak things may be, they are not alone. In the case of the novel, Julia literally serves as Marcy's guardian angel. She watches over her and intervenes when she tries to harm herself. Julia offers some semblance of support and stability in Marcy's fractured life, and she illustrates to teens that it's okay to confide in someone they trust. They don't have to bear their burdens alone. They don't have to give up. Help is out there, all they have to do is look for it.