This book was a gift, so I decided to read it.

However, I didn't really care for the writing style. It was just okay.

The story seemed to spend 99% of the book in a destructive downward spiral. The main character faced one problem after another, and it felt like there was no end in sight.

And then, miraculously, it ended in a short "wow, life is so great and she's so healed" summation.

It was a bit of a letdown after all that build-up.

Overall, the book was not bad, but it wasn't great either. It had its moments, but it didn't really leave a lasting impression on me.

I'm not sure if I would recommend it to others. Maybe if they were looking for a quick read that didn't require too much thought.

But for those who are looking for a more in-depth and meaningful story, this might not be the best choice.

I truly appreciated this form above story or characters.

It had a certain charm and appeal that made it stand out. The details and the way it was presented were engaging and held my attention from start to finish.

The story managed to create a memorable experience for me, leaving a lasting impression. It was not only entertaining but also had some depth and substance to it.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read or encounter. It made me think and feel, and I am glad that I came across it.

I would highly recommend it to others who are looking for something unique and interesting.

It has the potential to touch the hearts and minds of many, just as it did for me.

Because of Joseph Young, the fiction flasher, I have developed an interest in short fiction after years of longing for those never-ending longgggg books (like Possession). I had never come across this book before. After all, who could be familiar with all of Joyce Carol Oates' books? I purchased it for a quarter at the Pratt library branch on Pennsylvania and North Avenue one night after teaching there. Little did I realize it was a young adult novel.

I gave it a four-star rating instead of five because the Prologue and the first four chapters are truly awesome (about 11 out of 292 pages), but it loses some of its charm after that. I think any of us would be proud to have written those first 11 pages. I estimated the length (you, or perhaps just I, always have in the back of our minds... "I could write that long... it's only...") at 51,000 words. There's a significant amount of white space.

Anyway, a few days after finishing it and having heard Joseph say that his book is probably a YA novel, I read an article in the NYTBR stating that this is now a trend... fully adult people are choosing to read plot-centric YA novels. It's quite interesting.

Sample sentences: "Suddenly I am seeing a baby deer in the lane just ahead! - or maybe a dog! - this shadowy shape that Mom doesn't seem to notice and I'm panicking, screaming 'Mom! Watch out!' and (maybe) I am grabbing at the wheel or (maybe) I am attempting to grab at the wheel or (maybe) Mom is the one to turn the wheel (maybe) because I am screaming or (maybe) did Mom see the baby deer or the dog or (maybe) it was a large bird like a hawk or a goose... And the car sprouts wings and flies. It did! Yes, it did."

A book as abhorrent as that when mother dies. I still remember how the blue and calm sea turned out to be morphine.

It was a time of great turmoil and pain. The loss of mother was like a heavy blow that left me reeling. And this book, it was like a dark cloud hovering over my already broken heart.

The description of the blue and calm sea being compared to morphine was both strange and haunting. It made me think about how something that seems so beautiful and peaceful on the surface can actually be a source of numbing and escape.

Maybe that's what the author was trying to convey, the idea that in the face of such grief, we sometimes look for ways to dull the pain, even if it means turning to something that may not be good for us in the long run.

As I think about this passage now, it still has the power to move me and make me reflect on the complex emotions that come with loss and the search for meaning in the midst of it all.

After the Wreck, I picked myself Up. Spread my Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

Although it is initially written for adults, I firmly believe that it holds great value for teens as well.

The story revolves around 15-year-old Jenna, who is striving to recover from a devastating car accident that took the life of her mother.

Not only does she have to grapple with the immense loss and figure out how to navigate life without her mother by her side, but she also has to face the challenges of transitioning into a new high school and a new family.

Just imagining the situation is enough to make one feel stressed. Indeed, it is a highly stressful and complex journey that Jenna has to undertake.

However, through her experiences, we witness her growth, resilience, and the strength she finds within herself to move forward and embrace a new chapter in her life.

This book offers valuable lessons and insights that can resonate with teens who may be going through their own difficult times and need inspiration to keep going.

It is a must-read for anyone looking for a powerful and moving story about love, loss, and the power of the human spirit.

I have had a profound love for this book ever since my middle school days.

It holds a special place in my heart, and I have found myself coming back to it again and again. In fact, I have re-read it at least ten times.

Each time I open its pages, I am transported into a world filled with captivating stories, rich characters, and valuable lessons.

The book has the power to engage my mind, stir my emotions, and leave a lasting impression.

It has become a constant companion throughout the years, providing me with entertainment, inspiration, and a source of comfort.

I truly believe that this book is a masterpiece, and I will continue to cherish it for a long time to come.

The article presents a rather concise yet impactful review of a YA novel. The oats, which seem to hold a significant symbolic value, have the remarkable ability to guide the main character through the arduous agony of the grief process. This aspect is truly impressive and sets the novel apart from the average YA offerings. The use of short chapters is a great technique that keeps the narrative flowing smoothly and engages the reader's attention. The portrayal of school life and the internal turmoil experienced by the characters is highly believable, adding a layer of authenticity to the story. Overall, this novel is a step above the rest and is recommended not only for young adults but also for adults who appreciate a well-written and engaging story. It has the potential to touch the hearts of readers and leave a lasting impression.

Jenna Abbott was just an ordinary girl leading an ordinary life.

But then, the wreck occurred, and everything changed.

Her friends, her home, and even herself were no longer the same.

She has been forever altered, whether she likes it or is willing to admit it.

She is now just a shell of the girl she once was, desperately holding onto distant memories of happiness while on the verge of losing it all.

She can't trust anyone, not even her own family.

And then she meets Crow, who has his own secrets.

Jenna discovers that she can open up to him, but will this lead her to redemption and self-forgiveness, or will she continue down the path of self-destruction?

In this emotional and touching story, Oates delves into the destruction caused by death and the fragile strength needed to rise above it.

The lengthy title, After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away, sums up much of the story.

That is exactly what Jenna struggles with and eventually achieves.

I really liked Oates' sometimes simple writing style as it effectively conveyed Jenna's thoughts, emotions, and delusions.

From this style, I could truly understand how damaged Jenna was by the wreck, and it made my heart go out to her.

There is something so fragile and delicate about Jenna's character that makes the reader want to protect and care for her.

However, Jenna's nature doesn't allow for such babysitting.

I loved how complex Jenna was and how she struggled to distinguish between dream and reality, as I think this is an issue many of us face, albeit perhaps not to the same desperate extent as Jenna.

After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away is an emotional journey and a moving tale about death, forgiveness, and eternal friendship.

This novel is one that you want to read slowly to fully understand.

It ranks among other novels on the same topic, such as Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe, and Saving Zoë by Alyson Noël.

Jenna Abbott, a high school freshman, is grappling with the trauma of a car accident that claimed her mother's life and landed her in the hospital. Devastated, she vows never to let anyone get close to her again, as she believes they will always leave.

When she moves in with her aunt and uncle in New Hampshire, Jenna distances herself from her family and former friends. Instead, she befriends Trina, who has her own set of problems. Trina introduces Jenna to a dangerous world of cutting class, underage drinking, and drug use.

After Jenna is rushed to the emergency room to have her stomach pumped, she begins to question her friendship with Trina. Throughout this entire ordeal, Jenna's mind is preoccupied with two things: the car accident and the mysterious biker named Crow who has caught her eye.

The story is filled with raw emotion as Jenna struggles to come to terms with her losses and find a way forward. Her determination to protect herself from further pain is palpable, yet her actions with Trina show her vulnerability. While the middle of the story drags a bit during Jenna's association with Trina, it also adds to the authenticity of her journey.

Overall, this is a captivating story that explores themes of grief, friendship, and self-discovery. It makes the reader wonder if Jenna will ever be able to open her heart and let someone in again.

I just couldn't help it.

When I started reading a book (and in this case, had almost reached the halfway point), I had to finish it.

It's like an unspoken rule within me. Once I embark on a literary journey, I feel a sense of obligation to see it through to the end.

Maybe it's because I'm eager to discover how the story unfolds, what secrets lie hidden within the pages, and how the characters will evolve.

The anticipation keeps pulling me forward, making it impossible for me to put the book aside unfinished.

So, even if there are other distractions or commitments, I find myself drawn back to that book, determined to complete it and fully immerse myself in its world.

The article was, to some extent, literary, which was indeed a compliment. The writing style had a certain charm that made it largely enjoyable to read.

However, the story itself was extremely depressing. The main character seemed to be constantly wading through a sea of misery. She endured so much pain and hardship on her journey towards finally being able to "spread her wings."

To be honest, I almost didn't manage to finish it. The reason being that there just wasn't enough payoff for me to like or appreciate the suffering she had to go through. It felt as if the author had focused too much on the hardships and not enough on the rewards or the positive aspects that could have balanced out the story and made it more satisfying.

Overall, while the writing was good, the overly depressing nature of the story and the lack of a sufficient payoff made it a bit of a struggle for me to get through.

When Jenna's mother dies in a car accident, she is seriously injured herself and only slowly recovers. The accident not only leaves physical traces on Jenna and the loss of her mother, but also changes her psychologically, turning a once cheerful girl into a teenager who sinks into unfathomable depths. She wallows in bottomless self-loathing, gets lost in feelings of guilt, and isolates herself more and more. She withdraws from her family, surrounds herself with the wrong friends, numbs herself with medications and drugs, until the situation finally escalates and she finally wakes up...

Opinion:

Until recently, I unfortunately had no idea who the author Joyce Carol Oates was, even though I read a lot of young adult literature. So I am all the more pleased now that I was attracted to this novel and especially to the author through the unusual, long title and the appealing blurb.

Joyce Carol Oates has a very unusual, poignant and outstanding writing style through which she brings Jenna's world of thoughts closer to me. She chooses the first-person form and I have to admit that it took me a while to get used to her style. Between the actually rather calm lines lies无尽的depth and so many emotions are vibrating that I was completely stirred and touched while reading.

Guilt feelings are constantly gnawing at Jenna. She can hardly remember the accident, yet images keep flashing up that throw her off course. Did she grab the steering wheel from her mother? Was there an animal on the road? What actually happened is intangible, but through her suspicion of being solely responsible for the accident, Jenna sinks deeper and deeper into a swamp of self-loathing and drugs. She stuffs herself with medications to numb the nagging pain, the loss, and all the open questions. To all these problems with herself, there is the hatred of her father, who has left her and founded a new family, who hardly has any time for her anymore and wants to take care of her after the accident. Jenna vehemently refuses to move in with him and is instead taken in by her aunt.

But once there, she isolates herself even more, lets no one get close to her and refuses any form of help.

This does not change even when she meets the mysterious Crow and his clique. On the contrary: it gets even worse. Because although Crow initially offers her his help, he then disappears. In the hope of seeing him again, Jenna hangs out with his friends. All of them are young adults whose lives are determined by drugs, alcohol, violence and sex. Jenna falls even deeper until the situation eventually gets completely out of control and she finally wakes up.

What bothered me a little, maybe not exactly, but irritated me, was that I assumed that Crow would become the secret hero here and a classic love story would develop between Jenna and him, in which they both save each other, because Crow also has a hard life.

Crow becomes an anchor for Jenna without his knowledge, but he actually never appears on the scene himself, which makes it difficult for me to imagine him. Only towards the end of the book does he suddenly appear more often and begin to help Jenna, but unfortunately he remains a faceless character for me. I thought that was a pity, because somehow I had expected a little more from it.

The end comes differently than expected, but satisfies me.

Conclusion:

"After the misfortune, I climbed up, spread my wings and flew away" is a profound, linguistically brilliant young adult novel about guilt, self-loathing and the way out of the darkness. An emotional work that I would not only like to recommend to young readers.