I just listened to the relatively newer young adult novel, 13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. It was particularly suited to audio, because the story begins with a set of cassette tapes received in the mail by Clay, the narrator, giving the "story"....the 13 reasons why...leading to the suicide of Hannah Baker, according to Hannah Baker.
The set of tapes are "mandated" listening to all the people who are mentioned by name on the tapes. The alternating voices of Hannah telling her story and Clay's interpersed thoughts, feelings, and even interruptions, give the story an urgency that makes you sit in the car long after you've arrived home to listen just a little longer to this audio on your car stereo.
While I don't think that the people and incidents listed on the tapes are the "causes" of Hannah's suicide, they are very real reminders of the major effects even small things can have on another's life. The listener (or reader) is really reminded that sometimes things that are "no big deal" or "just a joke"--can be really a big deal to someone else, especially if he or she is already in a very vulnerable place.
From an adult perspective, this was hard sometimes to listen to because I always worry about the "glorification" of suicide in stories or movies...but overall, I think that this is a honest portrayal of this girl's life and her tragic decision. The story of just a few weeks of Hannah's life ultimately makes you feel cheated that she gave up, instead of telling her story as bluntly as she does on the tapes, to enough someones who would listen, and help that story--and her life--continue.
