It’s been a while since Gayle Forman had release anything, so when I heard that she had a new book, I was so excited. Forma’s books are the kind that you didn’t know you needed until you’re reading them. They are touching, heart breaking, beautiful, and great books for when you need to do some searching. This is one of them.
*Trigger warnings: depression, suicide
The story takes place in New York in one day. Not only was the incredibly difficult to pull off, but Gayle Forman did it in a way where it doesn’t feel like that at all. We get all three points of view, so we also get flashbacks. I Have Lost My Way revolves around three characters, Freya, Nathaniel and Harun. All three live very different lives, but they all have one main thing in common; they have all suffered a loss. Each one lost something and they are now figuring how to come to terms with their lives and how to cope.
Freya, an up and coming singer has just lost her voice. Apart from that, her home life isn’t very well. Her parents divorced, her dad moved back to Ethiopia, and her sister wants nothing to do with her. She’s also a very strong character. She starts off jaded and lost. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, what she’s supposed to do, but she learns to take charge. She was a very smart character and as the story progresses, we see her handling situations in a level headed mature way. Then there’s Nathaniel, who suffers from depression. His mom left when he was young and grew up with his dad, his grandmother, and the dreams of one day traveling. Finally, there is also Harun. He’s heart broken when James dumps him and is also afraid that his family will find out that he’s gay.
Like all of Gayle Forman’s books, I Have Lost My Way is a story about finding yourself, your path, and learning how to cope with loss. It’s beautifully written and resonates. It’s the kind of book that stays with you even after you’re finished reading but it’s also more than that. It’s also the kind of book that helps the reader cope. It’s hopeful and I think that’s one of the most important parts of this book. It’s an example that no matter where you are in life or what loss you’re going through, you’re not alone and things will get better.
Another important part in this book is the representation/ diversity. Harun is Muslim and gay. Freya is a mixed main character. And Nathaniel has depression. Representation is important in books and I’m glad that this story revolves around three very important teens that struggle with who they are but also find themselves together. Their lives intertwine in a way where they all help each other. These three strangers help each other with their struggles, problems, and everything in between.
Overall, this was not something I was expecting and hit me like a ton of bricks. Like I mentioned before, this is the kind of book you didn’t know you needed until you have it right in front of you. It’s heartbreaking, it’s beautiful, and it’s touching and will resonate and stay with you even after you’re done. It’s everything a Gayle Forman book is.
*Trigger warnings: depression, suicide
The story takes place in New York in one day. Not only was the incredibly difficult to pull off, but Gayle Forman did it in a way where it doesn’t feel like that at all. We get all three points of view, so we also get flashbacks. I Have Lost My Way revolves around three characters, Freya, Nathaniel and Harun. All three live very different lives, but they all have one main thing in common; they have all suffered a loss. Each one lost something and they are now figuring how to come to terms with their lives and how to cope.
Freya, an up and coming singer has just lost her voice. Apart from that, her home life isn’t very well. Her parents divorced, her dad moved back to Ethiopia, and her sister wants nothing to do with her. She’s also a very strong character. She starts off jaded and lost. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, what she’s supposed to do, but she learns to take charge. She was a very smart character and as the story progresses, we see her handling situations in a level headed mature way. Then there’s Nathaniel, who suffers from depression. His mom left when he was young and grew up with his dad, his grandmother, and the dreams of one day traveling. Finally, there is also Harun. He’s heart broken when James dumps him and is also afraid that his family will find out that he’s gay.
Like all of Gayle Forman’s books, I Have Lost My Way is a story about finding yourself, your path, and learning how to cope with loss. It’s beautifully written and resonates. It’s the kind of book that stays with you even after you’re finished reading but it’s also more than that. It’s also the kind of book that helps the reader cope. It’s hopeful and I think that’s one of the most important parts of this book. It’s an example that no matter where you are in life or what loss you’re going through, you’re not alone and things will get better.
Another important part in this book is the representation/ diversity. Harun is Muslim and gay. Freya is a mixed main character. And Nathaniel has depression. Representation is important in books and I’m glad that this story revolves around three very important teens that struggle with who they are but also find themselves together. Their lives intertwine in a way where they all help each other. These three strangers help each other with their struggles, problems, and everything in between.
Overall, this was not something I was expecting and hit me like a ton of bricks. Like I mentioned before, this is the kind of book you didn’t know you needed until you have it right in front of you. It’s heartbreaking, it’s beautiful, and it’s touching and will resonate and stay with you even after you’re done. It’s everything a Gayle Forman book is.