"After the Wreck" was an outstanding book. In the beginning, Jenna had just endured the tragic loss of her mom in a car accident and was confined to a full body cast. She spoke of "in the blue," which she believed were visions that allowed her to leave the world and seek her mom among the snow geese. However, it was later revealed that "in the blue" was actually a drug-induced sleep. Jenna discovered this as she was gradually weaned off her medication. The remainder of the story chronicled her arduous struggle. She had to cope with moving schools, which was a significant adjustment. She also faced the challenge of trying to find the right group of people to hang out with, as she sought a sense of belonging. Additionally, Jenna was determined to uncover the truth about how her mom died. This quest for answers added another layer of complexity to her already tumultuous life.

This book was initially just okay.

However, as I continued reading, I came to the realization that it is truly a remarkable book.

Jenna Abbott, a teenager, was involved in a car accident with her mother. Sadly, she was the only survivor.

She divides her life into two distinct categories: before the wreck and after the wreck.

Her heart, body, mind, and soul become hardened by grief, distress, loneliness, and an isolation that she cannot overcome.

She feels that she can no longer trust or love anyone and that her mother is the only person to whom she should remain faithful.

It takes a considerable amount of time until a mysterious, handsome, yet seemingly "druggie" and caring-looking person named Gabriel "Crow" Saint-Croix helps her understand that if she opens her eyes, she will realize that she does have a purpose in life and should never take it for granted.

If you have read or heard of Oates' books such as Big Mouth, Ugly Girl, then you will definitely want to read this book.

When I read a book that I truly like, it is an amazing experience.

It often happens that I can really relate to a character within the story.

Sometimes, I even have the feeling that they could be someone I've actually met in real life.

When I am completely engrossed in a book, I can get emotionally attached to the characters.

It's as if they become a part of my own world.

However, this was not the case with the book I recently read.

I didn't feel anything while going through its pages.

In fact, I only managed to get about 30% through the book before I decided that it was just not worth my time.

It was a disappointment, as I had been looking forward to getting lost in its story.

But sometimes, that's just how it goes with books.

Not every one of them will capture our hearts and minds.

Fifteen-year-old Jenna Abbott is consumed by self-blame and can never forgive herself for the tragic accident that occurred on the Tappan Zee Bridge. Before the fateful event, Jenna was a happy girl. She lived with her mom and had a very normal life. She excelled in both school and sports, had a circle of friends, and truly enjoyed every moment of her life.

However, everything changed after the accident. Jenna now has to embark on a long and艰难 journey of recovery, both mentally, emotionally, and physically. She spends a significant amount of time in the hospital and rehab. Eventually, she has to leave her entire past life behind and go to live with her Aunt Caroline and her family.

Although Jenna is loved by those around her, she pushes them away and builds walls to protect herself. She firmly believes that she will never experience happiness again. Her life takes a drastic downward spiral from which she seems unable to escape. She falls in with the wrong crowd, gets involved in drugs and drinking, and her self-esteem plummets.

The question that lingers is: Can Jenna be saved? This is an outstanding book that takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster. JCO delves deep into the heart of Jenna's pain and angst. Even though it is considered a young adult book, this old lady found herself completely engrossed and loved every single word.

It makes one wonder about the power of forgiveness, both self-forgiveness and forgiveness from others. Can Jenna find the strength within herself to break free from the chains of her past and start anew? Only time will tell.

From the Destiny library record, we learn about a fifteen-year-old girl named Jenna. She blames herself for the car accident on the Tappan Zee Bridge that took her mother's life. Jenna then experiences a difficult physical and emotional recovery. I had a certain opinion about this story. I liked it okay, but it didn't quite measure up to "Big Mouth, Ugly Girl" by Oates for me. However, I do think Oates did a good job in conveying the sense of loss and confusion that a teenager would feel after a wreck like the one described in the book. Also, the relief that being "in the blue" (the drug-induced haze) gives shows how tempting drugs can be for teens.

The review from School Library Journal provides more details. Grades 9 and up would be the appropriate audience for this book. Jenna Abbott, who was formerly athletic and smart, now struggles to come to terms with the car accident that not only killed her mother but also nearly took her own life. She finds herself unable to concentrate or communicate with anyone. Broken in both body and spirit, she is desperate to escape into the blue, which she remembers from the immediate aftermath of the accident. Not wanting to be with her father and his new family in California, she moves to New Hampshire to live with her aunt and uncle and starts looking for ways to escape. She steals OxyContin from her uncle's medicine cabinet and befriends Trina, who also has substance-abuse problems. It takes two near-disasters for Jenna to tentatively open up to her classmate Crow and face her fears and grief. Oates is at her best when telling the stories of teenage girls dealing with internal trauma and outside pressures. Jenna's pain at losing the only person truly close to her and the isolation she creates for herself are poignantly drawn. Her understanding that her choices are not what her mother would want for her is especially telling and may resonate with teens in similar situations. Similar in topic to E. R. Frank's "Wrecked", this powerful novel is well worth reading.

I've read this author before. It was in the adult section, and my thoughts were rather mixed. However, I decided to give her a try as a YA author.

Well, in a word: yuck. The drama in this YA work is extremely over-the-top. There is a complete absence of any meaningful psychiatric help for the characters. And the surrogate parents seem to be willfully blind to what's really going on.

In contrast, when I read her adult novel, I found the characters behaving in a more realistic manner. But here, in the YA book, these characters strike me as little more than stereotypes. They lack depth and authenticity, making it difficult for me to engage with the story on a deeper level.

Overall, this attempt at a YA novel by this author has been a disappointment for me. I had hoped for something better, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations.

This is a rather chaotic book.

It is narrated from the perspective of the main character, Jenna.

For the most part of the book, Jenna is a mess and extremely confused. As a result, the first-person narration feels like the kind you would encounter in a diary or directly in her mind, or at least a combination of thoughts and normal narration. Initially, I liked this style. However, somewhere in the middle of the book, I started to become annoyed by it.

There are numerous metaphors and subtle morals regarding life and teenage behavior. The characters are rather flat, with the exception of Jenna and Crow. Although they are richly developed, they are also somewhat stereotyped (even though Oates claims that Crow wasn't a stereotype).

Perhaps my issue with this novel is that I read it in English and couldn't fully grasp the meaning of all the words. Or maybe my expectations were simply too high.

Oates Odyssey #16

Joyce Carol Oates is an author who never fails to captivate readers with her tales from the darker side of life.

Her works often explore the hidden recesses of the human psyche, delving into the complex and often disturbing emotions that lie beneath the surface.

In this particular installment of the Oates Odyssey, we are once again plunged into a world of mystery and intrigue.

Oates has a unique ability to create vivid and memorable characters, each with their own flaws and desires.

As we follow their stories, we are drawn into a web of secrets and lies, unsure of what will happen next.

Whether it's a tale of love gone wrong, a crime gone undetected, or a mind on the brink of madness, Oates always manages to keep us on the edge of our seats.

Her writing is both powerful and poignant, leaving a lasting impression on the reader long after the final page has been turned.

So if you're looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read, look no further than Joyce Carol Oates.

Jenna Abott was an ordinary girl, leading a normal life.

However, everything changed with the accident that took her mother's life.

Devastated, she had to move in with her aunt.

Unfortunately, in her grief, she turned to the wrong crowd.

"After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread my Wings, and Flew away" by Joyce Carol Oates tells the haunting and stunning story of Jenna's recovery from this tragic loss.

The author vividly描绘s Jenna's emotional journey, making it a truly moving read.

I would rate this book four stars.

I highly recommend it to those who enjoy reading heartbreaking and powerful stories that explore the human spirit's ability to heal and overcome adversity.

It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

This was an extremely interesting book.

It was written in a style that one might envision a typical 15-year-old rebellious girl would adopt - especially if she were anti-social to some extent.

The entire narrative managed to capture my attention right from the start. And upon reaching the conclusion, I came to the realization that... in a certain way, I could identify with every aspect of it.

Sure, I haven't experienced a serious car accident or lost a parent to death exactly as described in the book, but... in another sense, there was a connection.

I'll be honest and admit that I shed tears at the end of the book.

It was truly beautiful.

It portrays a girl who loses herself and blames herself for the death of a loved one. As time progresses, she gradually learns to let others in, learns to overcome her troublesome obstacles, and discovers the truth.

Ultimately, she rediscovers herself. It was truly a wonderful and touching story.

3.5 Stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a certain level of quality and performance. It suggests that the subject being evaluated has both strengths and areas that could use some improvement.

Perhaps it offers a good set of features, but may lack in some aspects such as user-friendliness or durability.

On the positive side, it might have received praise for its functionality or value for money. However, there could be some minor drawbacks that prevent it from achieving a higher rating.

Overall, a 3.5-star rating implies that the item or service is worthy of consideration, but potential buyers or users should be aware of its limitations and make an informed decision based on their specific needs and expectations.

I have recently read a book that shares a similar theme with this one. However, I can't quite recall what it's called at the moment. Nevertheless, I truly love this author. Her development of the character is simply brilliant. It is evident that she has a masterful understanding of psychology. This enables her to create characters and stories that are not only grippingly realistic but also, at times, quite painful. The way she delves into the minds and emotions of her characters makes the reading experience both captivating and thought-provoking. I find myself completely immersed in her fictional worlds, empathizing with the characters and their struggles. It's this ability to bring the characters to life and make them feel so real that sets this author apart.