By Lindsey Heiser
A lot of girls tend to enjoy reading novels, poems and other stories about love, fate and chance. Why so many girls enjoy reading books about characters falling in love, taking chances and living in the moment is pretty simple to me, although some people have a hard time understanding. Personally, I think these types of “chick Flick” stories are extremely intriguing. It’s every girl’s dream to fall in love and live in romantic, spontaneous worlds like these characters in books and movies, right? We’re just living vicariously through the made up, yet greatly compelling characters. In Sarah Dessen’s novel, The Truth about Forever, a world is created in which every girl can live vicariously through the main character who is falling in love while getting over the death of a loved one.
In the novel, the main character, Macy Queen, deals with loss, love, fate and more loss. One morning, Macy’s father who was jogging as usual, dies of a heart attack right in front of her. His death leaves Macy reluctant to love again or have anything to do with anyone or anything in the world around her. Macy keeps to herself and her control freak boyfriend, Jason. Macy believes that Jason is what she really needs in life in order to stay in control. Jason leaves for camp, and Macy does her best to remain in total control of her life, taking no chances, and working the library job that Jason set up for her. Then, at one of her mother’s dinner parties, Macy meets a catering company that changes her life completely. She soon begins working and spending a lot of time with the Wish Catering company, and even more time with the owner’s nephew, Wes. Macy and Wes build a friendship that is invincible, and teach each other the true meaning of life. Wes shows Macy that fate and chance are keys in living in the moment, and that without taking chances, life isn’t worth it. Macy learns the true meaning of love and that hard situations only lead to a stronger person. In the end, Macy comes to realization and a truly intriguing climax and resolution leave the reader wanting so much more.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Truth about Forever. I’m not the fastest reader, but I read the four hundred page novel in two days. It’s impossible to put the novel down because you get so into the fantasy world that Sarah Dessen creates. I think it’s easy for any teenage girl to relate to Macy, the main character, whether you’ve been through what she has been through or not. While it is more of a “girl book”, boys could get something out of reading the novel too. It opens your eyes, and makes you realize that living in the moment is so necessary. Nobody lasts forever, and you have to take chances when you have them. I recommend The Truth about Forever to all readers looking for a novel about love and living in the moment.
You might be wondering about the end of the novel. All I can say is that even if three fourths of the novel seemed boring to you, the last part makes it worth reading. It’s definitely a climax and resolution that will have your heart racing and your mind running in a thousand different directions.
Sound interesting to you? All of Sarah Dessen’s books follow a general topic about growing up, taking chances, and learning to love. Any book store would carry several of her wonderful novels for young adults.
Post by Lindsey Heiser
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
When I first scrolled down the home page, my eye caught the author Sarah Dessen. I automatically stopped because I was familiar with many of Dessen’s books. Then, I was automatically captured by the title, The Truth about Forever. I had heard once or twice about the book, but I never got around to actually reading it. When I read the summary Lindsey Heiser wrote, I was captured by the plot. Without even reading the book, I could totally relate to Macy Queen and many of the hard events she went through. About two years ago, my great-grandmother died. My great-grandmother and I shared a lot of memories together, and when she passed away, I went through a hard time. However, I soon realized that I can’t keep myself closed up and live in the past. I was missing on what was happening in the present. I realized that my great-grandmother would always be with me. While reading the summary, I saw that Wes teaches Macy that life is about taking chances and living in the moment. I could totally relate to that lesson because without taking chances, man can’t move forward in life. Sometimes, man has to go through difficult situations to get stronger, and be ready for the next obstacle that comes their way. I really want to read this book, and as soon as I get the chance I will.
ReplyDeleteI am very intrigued to read this novel by your description. This novel sounds as if it reveals the fantasy that every girl dreams about. What characteristics of this novel made it so interesting? I’m very interested in reading this novel because you make it seem as if it is a wonderful page turner that is full of excitement and romance. Do many of Dessen’s works deal with teenage girls and their struggles? This writer seems as if she writes things that would appeal to the female teenage population. Is this novel similar to a classic “chick flick” or is it different? If so, how is this novel different?
ReplyDelete