*Spoiler alert for those who have not read the book*

I didn't have a great affinity for this particular work. The start did possess a certain smoothness, but as I delved further, the peculiar writing style began to grate on my nerves. Oates did a good job of introducing elements such as drug addiction, distant family relationships, and peer pressure, and the entire book addressed the common teenage issues that are frequently discussed in today's society. However, I couldn't help but feel that a significant portion of it was rather clichéd and overused. This was especially evident in the whole Crow situation. For instance, when he remarks that Jenna looks as if she has been in a car crash upon their first encounter in the woods, it comes across as rather awkward. There was just something off about it that I struggle to put into words, similar to many of the scenes in this book. I also felt that their relationship lacked authenticity. How many times did they truly interact throughout the year in which the book is set? Jenna gives the impression that she truly knows who he is and is in love with him, but to me, it seems as if the author simply thought, "oh hey, we should center this partly around a mysterious boy who's 'not like other boys', whom Jenna can fall in love with, but neither the reader nor Jenna will really end up learning much about as a person." The entire geese metaphor felt a bit forced, with Gabriel insisting on being called Crow and associating him with the idea of a bird flying away from Jenna. It was somewhat challenging for me to establish a connection with the main character. I understand that it's written in a way that Jenna doesn't really know what she wants or how she feels, but I do wish that she had described her emotions and motivations in greater detail, as everything felt a bit hazy to me.

The entire novel itself seemed to jump around erratically in some parts and drag on tediously in others. I believe it could have been written and executed more proficiently. It does have its redeeming qualities, but to be honest, it didn't have the profound impact on me that I had anticipated.

3.5 stars

This was truly an outstanding YA story that delved into the complex themes of love, loss, injury, and addiction. The story line was engaging, and the characters were highly relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them on an emotional level. Additionally, the book contained several important messages that left a lasting impression. However, the writing style presented a bit of a challenge for me.

It's rather difficult for me to accurately describe how this book was written. The chapters were extremely short, sometimes consisting of only a paragraph or a few lines. Instead of drawing me into the story and increasing my engagement, this style had the opposite effect. It was quite jarring to read, constantly pulling me out of the narrative. Moreover, at certain points, it seemed as if the author was attempting to make the story overly "deep" when it perhaps wasn't entirely necessary.

I have previously read works by Joyce Carol Oates, but those were adult books, and I don't recall this particular writing style. It's possible that this style was specifically chosen for this book or simply didn't resonate with me for this particular story.

Overall, despite the writing style issue, the story itself had many redeeming qualities that made it worth reading.

A novel about reconstruction, if it is possible, after a serious accident for which Jenna feels responsible and in which her mother died. I really liked the way the psychological disorders are described, the search for a place elsewhere to forget what happened, especially through painkillers, the difficulties in forging bonds and finding her place in the family. We find the usual darkness of the author but still with glimmers of hope that leave a positive impression at the end of the novel.

The story delves deep into Jenna's tortured psyche as she struggles to come to terms with the tragic event. Her use of painkillers as a means of escape only compounds her problems, yet it also shows her desperate attempt to numb the pain. The difficulties she faces in reconnecting with her family and forming new relationships are palpable, making the reader empathize with her plight.

Despite the overall darkness of the narrative, the author manages to sprinkle in some moments of hope. These glimmers give the reader a reason to believe that Jenna may eventually find a way to heal and move forward. It is this balance between despair and hope that makes the novel truly engaging and thought-provoking.

A Good Man is Hard to Find will always be one of my favorite short stories. However, this little novelette doesn't quite measure up for me.

I hadn't been aware that Oates was delving into young adult fiction. Perhaps it was the book's smaller size, which felt clumsy in my hand, that contributed to my less than favorable impression. The story revolves around a 15-year-old girl whose mother passed away in a car accident, and it's unclear whether the girl was at fault or not.

The challenge of writing with an adolescent voice is that, despite what they may believe they know, adolescents generally aren't adept at being historians, observers, participants, or agents of change. This girl makes a series of extremely unwise choices. I'm baffled as to why she didn't simply search for the appropriate drugs from the start. It seems like a rather strange and illogical decision on her part, and it makes it difficult for me to fully engage with her character and the story as a whole.

After the Wreck is an extremely intense character study.

The novel commences with Jenna and her mother seated in her mother's car, traversing the Tappan Zee Bridge. As they drive directly into the sun, visibility becomes severely hampered. Jenna has a fleeting perception that she spots something on the bridge right in front of the car. The very next thing Jenna is cognizant of is finding herself in a hospital bed. She is the solitary survivor of a horrifying crash that occurred on the bridge.

The novel zeroes in on Jenna's arduous recovery, both physically and emotionally. Oates' writing style is truly beautiful. She crafts her words with equal finesse for a teenage audience as she does for adults. Nevertheless, there were certain plot elements that simply didn't resonate as genuine and appeared rather contrived, seemingly designed solely to propel the story forward.

Overall, while After the Wreck has its strengths in character development and beautiful prose, the less-than-authentic plot elements do somewhat detract from the overall reading experience.

Ages 12+

After narrowly escaping a car crash that claims the life of her mother, Jenna is left grappling with an overwhelming sense of guilt. She can't help but wonder if she was the one responsible for the accident. Forced to move in with her aunt and uncle, Jenna finds herself adrift in a new environment. She begins to associate with a wild crowd, perhaps in an attempt to numb the pain and forget about the tragedy. It is during this time that she meets a biker boy named Crow. There is something about Crow that makes Jenna think he might just be the one who can help her face the truth and come to terms with her past.

I listened to this as an audio book together with my tween daughter.

However, she found it extremely upsetting at certain moments. The reason being that the main character experiences an accident along with her mother, and unfortunately, her mother passes away.

This book had a profound impact on me as it took me back to some arduous times that I endured as a teen who had gone through a certain degree of trauma. The emotions depicted in the story were so genuine and intense that it was quite challenging to listen to what the main character was going through.

Moreover, I felt a sense of helplessness because even if I had the ability to do so, I wouldn't have known exactly what to do to assist her.

Without revealing any spoilers, I firmly believe that this novel has the potential to be of great help to girls who are currently grappling with a wide range of issues on their own. It can offer them a sense of understanding and perhaps even some guidance in dealing with their own difficulties.

Real without being overly depressing, and hopeful without being overly sentimental, this story details Jenna's gradual recovery - more on the emotional and mental fronts than the physical - from the car accident that claimed her mother's life.

In the wake of this tragedy, Jenna grapples with addiction, redefining the concept of family, and finding the courage to care for others once more.

She faces numerous challenges along the way, but through it all, she begins to find strength within herself.

With each passing day, she takes small steps towards healing, learning to let go of the past and embrace a future that holds new possibilities.

Although the road ahead is still long and filled with uncertainties, Jenna is determined to keep moving forward, knowing that she has the support of those who truly care about her.

This story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances and find hope in the midst of despair.

I've never been a fan of Oates' adult novels. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this teen novel.

Jenna is haunted by the car crash that took her mother's life - a crash she may very well be responsible for causing. She refuses to reconcile with her dad, who has started a new family with another wife. The situation is pretty bleak for her.

It is when she meets Crow, a gorgeous biker who rescues her from gang rape, that things begin to take a turn for the better for Jenna. This story offers a nice exploration of guilt, grief, and the healing power of love. It shows how even in the darkest of times, there can be a glimmer of hope and a chance for redemption. The relationship between Jenna and Crow adds an interesting dynamic to the story, as they both have their own demons to face and learn to rely on each other for support. Overall, this teen novel by Oates is a great read that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Starting off, this is a very soft and floaty book.

You initially think you'll be reading a nice story about a girl who has two lives: one before a crash and one after.

Perhaps this storyline will lead you on a lovely journey of self-discovery or something similar. Maybe she's been amnestic.

But no. The story that is presented is harsh and gruelling.

However, it is also so great. The writing is brilliant.

Big ups to this! :)

This book truly surprises you with its unexpected twists and turns. It takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from the initial anticipation of a light-hearted story to the shock and awe of the harsh reality that is revealed.

The author's ability to create such a vivid and engaging world is truly remarkable.

You find yourself completely immersed in the story, unable to put the book down until you've reached the very end.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good book that challenges their expectations and leaves them with a lasting impression.

I truly enjoyed this story and it had a remarkable ability to transport me back to my own teenage years.

It made me realize that we've all likely had someone like "Trina" in our lives at some point.

That being said, I often find it quite challenging to rate and review YA books since I'm no longer a young adult myself.

However, this particular book was definitely one of the better ones I've had the pleasure of reading.

I firmly believe that a large number of teens could easily relate to Jenna and the various experiences she endures throughout the story.

All in all, it was a good read that managed to capture the essence of the teenage experience and hold my attention from start to finish.

I would highly recommend it to any young adult looking for an engaging and relatable story.

She was quite good.

In fact, she was more than just good. She had a certain charm and talent that set her apart from others.

Her skills and abilities were remarkable, and she always managed to perform exceptionally well in various situations.

Whether it was in her work, studies, or personal life, she seemed to have a natural inclination towards success.

People around her admired her for her determination and hard work, and she was often looked up to as a role model.

She had a positive attitude towards life and always saw the good in every situation.

Her kindness and generosity also endeared her to many, and she was loved and respected by all who knew her.

Overall, she was a truly remarkable person, and it was a pleasure to know her.