The Opposite of Hallelujah

Jan 15, 2013 Reynje rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Reynje by: Kelly

Shelves: contemp-or-realistic, favourites, read-2013, young-adult, unexpectedly-liked, books-to-be-hugged

But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know 'cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through

So goes the title track of Jens Leckman’s 2005 EP, The Opposite of Hallelujah. It’s also one of two epigraphs that appear in Anna Jarzab’s sophomore novel, which shares the name. The song is deceptively upbeat, almost perky, yet the lyrics beautifully fit Jarzab’s contemplative and sincere novel about faith, grief and familial rel...more

But sister, it's the opposite of hallelujah
It's the opposite of being you
You don't know 'cause it just passes right through you
You don't know what I'm going through

So goes the title track of Jens Leckman’s 2005 EP, The Opposite of Hallelujah. It’s also one of two epigraphs that appear in Anna Jarzab’s sophomore novel, which shares the name. The song is deceptively upbeat, almost perky, yet the lyrics beautifully fit Jarzab’s contemplative and sincere novel about faith, grief and familial relationships.

Unfortunately, my copy of The Opposite of Hallelujah had been left to languish on a stack of books I routinely pass over, mostly because my interest in reading it had waned due to my fairly lukewarm reaction to All Unquiet Things. Then Kelly’s thoughtful review over at Stacked prompted me to pick it up, which feels serendipitous in hindsight because (and I realise this is a big call to make in January) this may well be one of my favourite books of the year.

This is a story about a teenage girl who’s sister returns home from a convent after eight years. Caro barely remembers her older sister living at the family home (there’s an eleven year age difference) and reacts with unsurprising apathy towards Hannah’s return. Virtually strangers now, Hannah’s vocation has been a source of confusion to Caro, and it’s compounded by Hannah’s unwillingness to explain why she has left the convent. When it becomes evident that Hannah is not coping and Caro begins to uncover a long buried secret, relationships are tested and Caro is compelled to address her own doubts about faith and religious belief.

Granted, a book that deals substantially with questions of God, the universe and redemption is not everyone’s cup of tea, yet never did I feel that Jarzab’s novel was heavy-handed or didactic. The themes are complex yet well-explored, handled accessibly through Caro’s sharp and authentic voice. As a counter-balance to Hannah, who was a deeply religious child with an apparently natural inclination to piety, Caro is agnostic and favours a scientific approach to questions and reasoning. She has complicated feelings towards Hannah’s belief in her vocation, which results in her poor handling direct questions about her sister, to the point of effectively denying her existence.

The Opposite of Hallelujah is a well written book; Jarzab’s confident and eloquent prose lends the novel a literary feel, while the realistic rendering of Caro’s voice serves as an effective medium for the profound subject matter. Caro’s characterisation is authentic and relatable: she’s sixteen, argues with her parents, behaves selfishly at times. While she’s a sympathetic character with a lot to deal with, Jarzab allows Caro to be flawed and make mistakes, to act insensitively. Jarzab’s dedication to portraying Caro as a realistic teen, and choosing to tell this story through the lens of Caro’s limited life-experience, makes for a strong arc in her character development. Caro’s progression throughout the novel is entirely believable, as she moves from a place of disinterest in her sister to an desire to understand and try to alleviate her pain.

That relationship between Hannah and Caro is the crux of the novel: it’s a complicated and tense dynamic, frustrated by prolonged absence and wide disparity in viewpoints. Compounded by the fact that Hannah won’t talk about her sudden homecoming, and their parent’s well-meaning attempts to allow Hannah to adjust on her own terms without talking about anything, this relationship (or initial lack thereof) is the catalyst for Caro beginning to question her own belief system, and her subsequent emotional growth. On the other hand, Hannah’s descent into illness (physically, mentally and arguably spiritually) is depicted with painful honesty. While the reader experiences Hannah’s anguish secondhand through Caro, this makes it no less compelling, and Jarzab manages to convey her internal suffering both insightfully and powerfully – regardless of whether the reader can relate to her emotions.

Interestingly, while it appears on the surface of things that this novel is about the conflict between science and spirituality, it’s actually more about their coexistence, and the way we internalise and deal with grief through various means. Jarzab subtly explores this idea through her use of art and science in the story, referencing the works of graphic artist M C Escher and noted cleric-scientists (Nicolaus Copernicus, Gregor Mendel etc). Framing much of this information in the context of conversations between Caro and Father Bob, a priest she is acquainted with, Jarzab allows Caro to express and explore her doubts and issues with the concepts of guilt, forgiveness and faith. Art is also used as a point of connection between Hannah and Caro, a tentatively extended invitation to rebuild their relationship.

Similarly, Jarzab uses Caro’s interest and academic performance in science to investigate the idea of creation as a therapeutic act. Compelled to participate in a science fair, Caro – for complicated reasons – takes on an advanced project, one that pushes her beyond her realm of knowledge. This portrayal of Caro as a logical, driven young woman with a desire to succeed at what she sets out to do speaks to her characterisation throughout the story as a whole. While she is occasionally perceived as acting out, the petulant little sister, Caro is also a person with a great deal of determination, using what coping mechanisms she has to work through her difficult situation.

The Opposite of Hallelujah’s supporting characters are strong and fully-realised, fleshing out the novel and Caro’s internal journey. Jarzab presents a refreshingly frank parent/child dynamic that develops as Caro herself matures and grows emotionally. Her relationship with her parents is pivotal in the story, and it’s especially pleasing to read two characters that have clearly distinct personalities, flaws and voices. It’s this attention to detail and careful construction of the secondary cast that give the novel a feeling of authenticity; they exist as part of the novel, rather than mere plot devices. There’s also a very nuanced portrayal of female friendship in the triumvirate of Caro, Reb and Erin. I particularly enjoyed the fact that while the girls were very different with a delicate balance of trust, and despite the natural tensions that emerged from time to time, it was a healthy and supportive network. And yes, there’s romance too. Jarzab handles this subplot well, it’s sweet and realistic and the complications are entirely believable as opposed to manufactured angst for the sake of drama. There’s a very cute moment with some Rube Goldberg machines (yes, really) which builds on the continued physics/science motif used throughout the novel.

This is a solid contemporary novel with considerable depth of subject matter, without being overwhelmingly heavy in its execution. Definitely recommended if you’re looking for a well-written and balanced exploration of grief and faith from a slightly unusual angle.

I still never told you about unstoppable sorrow
You still think I'm someone to look up to
I still don't know anything about you
Is it in you too?

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Dec 14, 2012 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who want to see real families in YA

Recommended to Christina (A Reader of Fictions) by: Katie Tuccelli

Shelves: finishedreviewcopy, yabc-reviews, favorites-contemps

Going into The Opposite of Hallelujah, I had mildly high expectations, knowing that my friend Katie of Blook Girl loved it. Still, I wasn't so sure about the subject matter, and just really didn't know that much about it, since I pretty scrupulously avoid reviews of books I plan to read, even from my favorite reviewers. Katie was completely right about this book. The Opposite of Hallelujah gave me so many feels: sadness, awkwardness, hope, and fangirling happiness.

My very favorite thing about Th...more Going into The Opposite of Hallelujah, I had mildly high expectations, knowing that my friend Katie of Blook Girl loved it. Still, I wasn't so sure about the subject matter, and just really didn't know that much about it, since I pretty scrupulously avoid reviews of books I plan to read, even from my favorite reviewers. Katie was completely right about this book. The Opposite of Hallelujah gave me so many feels: sadness, awkwardness, hope, and fangirling happiness.

My very favorite thing about The Opposite of Hallelujah, what makes it stand out so incredibly fresh and original to me, is that it centers around a family. Yes, there's romance and school and all of that, but Caro's relationship with her family members comes first, primarily that with her much older sister Hannah. Caro scarcely knew Hannah (eleven years her senior) when she went away to live in a convent when Caro was just eight years old. Caro didn't know how to deal with this, what it all meant, so she simplified things and told people her sister was dead. This came out, as such things tend to, earning Caro the nickname "Caroliar," which also gave Caro another grudge to hold against her sister, added to the sense of abandonment she already felt.

Fast forward a few years to the summer before Caro's junior year of high school. News comes to the Mitchell family that Hannah is coming home from the convent. Caro's parents, who have missed their daughter and been deeply hurt that she left them, even for a vocation, are thrilled to have her back. Caro, on the other hand, wishes Hannah, and the whole big, confusing, mess of resulting emotions had never come back.

That sounds mean, but Caro doesn't know this woman who appears off the train. Caro feels like an only child, and she doesn't appreciate her parents' orders that she behave a certain way to Hannah. Honestly, Caro does not feel that Hannah deserves to be so easily accepted back into the family, since she abandoned them so utterly. Immediately, Caro falls back into her old pattern, lying to people at school about her sister. She does not even tell her best friends or boyfriend that Hannah's back from the convent. Later, when it's outed that Hannah is back, she lies about where Hannah was.

When I first started reading, I was momentarily put off by the writing (not personally my favorite style) and the formatting (obnoxiously large font to make the book seem longer than it is), but I soon stopped noticing or caring about any of that, because Caro's character is so powerful. She has such a strong, authentic teen voice. All of the stupid things she does make a messed up sort of sense, because you're seeing through her eyes and you know how her mind works. Besides, aside from the lying, she's such a funny, clever, strong-spirited girl that you just root for her so hard to work through her issues.

The Mitchell family feels so much like a real family: they have awkward moments, they fight, they love. It's just so beautiful, and so rarely depicted in young adult fiction, because so much of it needs the heroine to be accomplishing some gargantuan feat, not living through daily life. Her parents love both of them so much. They make mistakes, of course, because that's what parents do, but they're always there to help or to punish as needed. Jarzab includes some very typical parent-child fights that totally had me flashing back to my teen years.

At the beginning of the book, Caro has a boyfriend (or, at least, she thinks that's what he is), Derek, who has been gone at camp. When he gets back, he doesn't call, and she does what any self-respecting girl would do: freaks out and calls her best friends for advice. Reb and Erin agree: this is bad news, and that she should probably dump him before he dumps her. She decides to do that, and goes to his house, where he beats her to the draw. I share this to illustrate how high school and realistically awkward it is. There are so many scenes that struck a perfect chord.

Anyway, stupid Derek dumping her cleared the way for a wonderful, adorable guy. Pawel is, stereotypically, the new guy at school. Yes, I rolled my eyes at this, but he's so damn adorable, that I got over that really quickly. For one thing, he's Polish and has an impossible to pronounce name (Caro's friends just call him Polish), and, for another, he is one of the most sweet, caring guys I've encountered in YA. He and Caro have an immediate connection, but don't declare it right off the bat. You guys, I totally said awwwww out loud so many times reading about them.

Another well-drawn character is that of Pastor Bob. Religion is, obviously, a huge theme in this book, what with Hannah's return from a convent and everything. I can be a bit touchy about this subject, but it was handled marvelously here. Pastor Bob does not force anything on anyone, and he's a genuinely caring, helpful guy. The discussions of religion are more theological than specifically Christian in nature. He and Caro develop a real friendship that I found very touching.

This review is approaching epic proportions, so I'll wrap things up. In short, if you are a reader who bemoans the lack of real family interaction in YA, you should probably get your hands on it right now. Anna Jarzab has just joined my list of authors whose books I must stalk.(less)

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Oct 09, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2012

I rarely say this, but after 450 pages of this book, I actually wanted about 100 or 150 more. Jarzab's story had me hooked and her writing was well-paced and engaging but there were a few things that felt like they could have used a little more development to take this from a good book to a great book.

Also, this is one of the most misleading book descriptions I've read in a long time.

Caro has pretended her sister doesn't exist for 12 years. She never mentions Hannah because the one time she did...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Angela (: rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-library-owns, contemporary, 2012-october

2.25 stars.

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. Some chapters were so incredibly boring, but this book was okay. I didn't feel like there was anything interesting that happened until the book was almost over. This book could have been shortened. A lot. I couldn't connect to the characters, and felt they lacked in development.

I honestly don't know if I would recommend this book. Probably not.

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Apr 15, 2013 Danna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: catholicism, coming-of-age, family-drama, favorites, eating-disorders, high-school, recommended, page-turner, priests, romance, speed-read, ya

I randomly selected The Opposite of Hallelujah from the Young Adult shelf at the library, and I am so grateful I did. Caro Mitchell is a 16-year-old high school student living in a typical self-centered bubble: she spends hours with her friends each day, comes home to talk on the phone, and then sneaks out to spend more time with them. She is also an exceptional student who studies hard and excels in her honors courses. Caro has just one secret, which is devastating to her: her sister Hannah is...more I randomly selected The Opposite of Hallelujah from the Young Adult shelf at the library, and I am so grateful I did. Caro Mitchell is a 16-year-old high school student living in a typical self-centered bubble: she spends hours with her friends each day, comes home to talk on the phone, and then sneaks out to spend more time with them. She is also an exceptional student who studies hard and excels in her honors courses. Caro has just one secret, which is devastating to her: her sister Hannah is a nun who has lived in a convent since Caro was 8 years old. This secret is so difficult for her that Caro told her elementary school classmates that Hannah was dead. Now, 11 years later, Hannah has turned up back home and Caro has no idea how to handle it. She finds herself lying to her closest friends, and fighting with Hannah and her parents. Caro's perfectly constructed high school bubble has been upended, and The Opposite of Hallelujah is the result.

You might be wondering, what is so devastating about your sister joining a convent? Is it really so devastating you would tell people she's dead? 8-year-old Caro felt abandoned when Hannah made the choice to join a convent after high school. Hannah, also very young, had no words or ways to explain to Caro why she was leaving and made no effort to maintain their relationship once she reached the convent. Hannah cut ties to her life and the material world as she desperately sought absolution from her sins, both real and imagined. Caro felt unloved, unimportant, and now her world is thrown off by Hannah's sudden return. She is no longer the sole planet in her parents' universe, and Hannah has demons that still need to be fought and put to rest. Because it is a young adult novel that takes place in high school, there is, of course, a sweet romance that unfolds along the way.

This book moved me in a very real way because this happened to my family. When I was a tween, my older sister joined an ashram, similar to a convent, with no explanation (or at least none that made sense to me at that age). Most of the time, like Caro, I don't acknowledge her existence. This sort of abandonment is a pain in your soul, as a child, it made me wonder what I could have done to make my sister not love me enough to stick around. Then, as I got older, it developed into anger (as did Caro's), as I wondered why my sister didn't provide a better explanation. When people ask me how many siblings I have, I don't include her. However, every once in a while, something comes up that forces me to admit I have another sister, and it is a painfully enormous disruption. All I can say is, for me, Jarzab nails it: there are conversations between Caro and Hannah that have been nearly verbatim to the ones we've had in my family. This book broke my heart, but in a very lovely way. It is witty and well-written, and a fast read. Recommended.

Favorite quote:

"The world belongs to those who stick around and tough it out" (389).(less)

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Apr 14, 2012 Lalitha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

Anna Jarzab writes eloquently about the sometimes enigmatic nature of sisterhood (blood isn't always thicker than water), and discusses spirituality and Catholicism in such a way that makes readers want to know more, rather than less. And that's no easy feat, especially when it comes to including religious themes in a YA book (unless, of course, the reader is specifically seeking inspirational literature--this book doesn't fall into that genre, I don't think).

It's been several years since Caroli...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Elia rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is kind of outside the realm of what I usually read, being that it is realistic modern fiction with a religious component, but I found that I really enjoyed this. It's one of those books that just reads easily, and the characters were all very well developed and relate-able.
Please see my extended review on my book blog:
http://shutupandreadsomething.blogspo...

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May 24, 2013 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

The religious parts of the book were really well done. I was less invested in the non-religious plots involving Pawel and Caro's friends and Caro's lying. I realize that Caro lying to her friends about her sister, Hannah, being in a convent ties in with the book's themes on forgiveness and honesty in relationships, but it and its inevitable outcome (did she really think she'd be able to hide her secret forever?) were pretty dull. If anything, it would have been more interesting if Caro had been...more

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May 13, 2013 Leah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Caro hasn't seen her sister for years, and for a while told people that she was dead, since it was easier to explain than the truth: that Hannah was in a nunnery. But when Hannah returns after 8 years in the nunnery, Caro discovers that the truth is never all that easy to explain, or even to understand.

This books starts like a fairly typical teenage coming-of-age story, distinguished by the extremely strong and well-done voice and by the hint of mysteries buried in the past. But while it goes th...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Maggie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: whats-new-in-ya-lit-2013

Best quote page 239: "The past doesn't disappear, but it doesn't have to define your future. That's up to you."

Anna Jarzab is a gifted writer and uses her writing to tell a believable story while promoting positive messages for all teens. I really liked that the priest, Father Bob, is an adult who is capable of conversing with teens while not judging. (See best quote for an example)Caro (Carolina)is a junior in high school, eight years younger than her sister, Hannah, when Hannah leaves the conv...more

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Feb 20, 2013 readknitread rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: character-development, high-school-reads, secrets, realistic-fiction, high-drama

Caro's sister joined a convent 8 yrs ago. Caro doesn't remember much about her sister. She's 16 and has basically been an only child for half her life. So when her sister announces that she is leaving the convent and moving home, Caro has a hard time dealing with this. For one she never told any of her friends that she has a sister. She isn't use to sharing her parents attention. And they are so happy Hannah is back that everything needs to revolve around her. And last Hannah seems to think they...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Newport Librarians rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ms-colleen, ya-fiction

So - you're 17 and the sister you haven't seen since you were little decides to return home from her years at a convent. You are a normal teen; you worry about school and grades, friends and boyfriends, and mom and dad are a pain in the butt. Do you welcome her with open arms, or do you deny her existence?

Caro lies. She tells friends first when she's 11 that her sister has died, then tells them now (at 17) that she was in the Peace Corps in Africa for awhile. She doesn't understand her sister's...more

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Nov 19, 2012 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, ya

I loved the cover of this book and the font on the front was calling me. Something about having your sister move away to be a nun and then suddenly moving back home because she has decided that was not “her calling”, it got me to thinking. What would cause someone to finally decide to switch gears and move back home after 8 years of being in a convent and how would that be for everyone involved? There had to be a deeper mystery involved and I was ready to spend a few days with my nose inside thi...more I loved the cover of this book and the font on the front was calling me. Something about having your sister move away to be a nun and then suddenly moving back home because she has decided that was not “her calling”, it got me to thinking. What would cause someone to finally decide to switch gears and move back home after 8 years of being in a convent and how would that be for everyone involved? There had to be a deeper mystery involved and I was ready to spend a few days with my nose inside this book discovering this mystery. Caro felt like an only child as she doesn’t remember much about her sister when she lived with them. Hannah left to be a nun when she was 19, and with Caro only being 8 at the time she grew up basically having her parents to herself. When Hannah shows up, her parents baby her and there is some resentment and Caro is quite vocal in this regard. Hannah sticks to her room and her quiet temperament and bony figure start to have an effect on the whole family but her parents sweep it under the rug. How can she get away with this behavior? Caro feels there is something else being avoided but no one will let her know until she discovers some of Hannah’s old high school items out in the garage. What Caro uncovers next is not what she expected from her older sister but it does bring to light some of the mystery behind the behaviors that are occurring in the house since her sister’s arrival. All the drama in the house is not the only thing that Caro has to deal with, she also has her own high school drama with friends including boyfriends. She has some terrific girlfriends which she can rely on and their relationship with Caro makes you remember what it was like to be a teen and deal with life. Two boys in the book are Caro’s brus and as she deals with her family in the book, you see she matures in her relationship with them. The relationship with Pawel is not all fun and games but I just loved to read about it. They seemed to be feeding off each other when they weren’t trying to avoid each other and it’s that girl-boy relationship that you remember oh so well. It’s all about family, relationships, forgiveness, moving on, being happy and loving yourself.
I thought the beginning of the book was a bit slow for me but when the book took off, I was all in. A nice combination of characters and the mother, wow. She was a very typical mother- so protective and stern and then the change. I felt as if I was watching this unfold before me. A book that deals with many issues including religion and does it so well. This book is for mature readers as it mentions drinking in the book, some petting and mental illness.

“Things were changing fast……I liked things clearly defined; it was how I made sense of the world. People were either this thing or that thing. Gray areas made me nervous; ambiguity was to be avoided at all costs.”
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Nov 06, 2012 Wandering Librarians rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, fiction, friendship, realistic-fiction, romance, serious-issues, ya

When Caro was eight, her 19 year-old sister joined a convent, and Caro has hardly seen her since. But now, eight years later, Hannah is returning home. No one knows what happened or why Hannah left the convent. Now it feels like a stranger is living in Caro's house. Something happened to Hannah, something that Caro has no memory of, that is still haunting Hannah today, and won't let her move on.

I didn't like this when I first started reading it, but then I ended up liking it a lot. I wasn't enjo...more When Caro was eight, her 19 year-old sister joined a convent, and Caro has hardly seen her since. But now, eight years later, Hannah is returning home. No one knows what happened or why Hannah left the convent. Now it feels like a stranger is living in Caro's house. Something happened to Hannah, something that Caro has no memory of, that is still haunting Hannah today, and won't let her move on.

I didn't like this when I first started reading it, but then I ended up liking it a lot. I wasn't enjoying it at first because I felt like the book was giving nuns a bad name. The convent Hannah joined sounded incredibly dated. She was part of an order that still wore a full habit, never left the convent, wasn't allowed to visit her family, couldn't even visit them without being separated by bars like she was in a prison. She never left her convent, but spent all eight years she was there in pray. And I thought, "What kind of nunnery is this?" Nuns are incredibly active with community. They are strongly focused on social justice, doing work in education, with those who are sick or living in poverty. Sometimes, they even disobey direct orders from the Vatican, when they feel there is too much focus on issues like abortion and not enough on helping those in poverty. Nuns are kind of kickass.

A bit further into the story, this was clarified and the difference between contemplative orders and active orders. Active orders are the ones who are focused on social justice. Contemplative orders are focused on prayer, and there is still a number or contemplative orders in the US, although from poking about on their websites I don't know if they would actually prohibit you from seeing your family. But maybe. Anyway, after we got that all straightened out and I didn't have to feel so defensive of the nuns (What? I just think nuns are kind of cool), I was able to enjoy the story much more.
Some of the language also threw me at first. Caro would go from sounding like a typical teenager to saying something like, "In the flickering nickelodeon of my early-childhood..." Whoa, where did that come from? Pick what you want your character to sound like.

Everyone is kind of horrible to everyone at the beginning of the book. This bothered me a lot, but as I got more involved with the characters and story, I could see how realistic this was. Caro was incredibly hurt by her sister leaving, which is something she is not willing to admit and is not something she even really understands. She is angry and resentful of Hannah, and the changes she brings to her family. Caro sometimes goes out of her way to hurt Hannah, because Hannah has hurt her.

Caro's parents don't really know what to do. They don't know this daughter who has come home. Hannah is depressed and starving herself, and they don't know how to handle it, and unfortunately, they handle it by ignoring it for longer than they should, babying Hannah and "letting her adjust to being home" and in some ways taking out their frustrating on Caro, because they can't bring themselves to chastise Hannah.

Hannah is a total emotional mess, eaten up by guilt and doesn't know how to ask for help, or even feels like she deserves help. She occasionally tries to reach out to Caro, but Caro, in her anger, shoots her down, which only makes Hannah retreat even further.

So it's a really sucky situation, made worse by all the things this family isn't saying to each other. It of course finally all blows up and they have to start dealing with it, and this allows them to start healing.

There's a side plot between Caro and the relationships with her friends and her boyfriend. Of course, everything that is happening at home affects the rest of her life. Caro has never talked about Hannah to her friends, they don't even know she has a sister. So when Hannah comes home, Caro lies about where she's been. Caro doesn't understand herself why Hannah joined the convent, so she can't really be expected to explain it to others, so she hides. This causes a rift between her and her boyfriend, who feels like he can't trust her. Of course, this only makes Caro feel like Hannah is ruining her life all the more, rather than try to figure out why she lied in the first place.

There are some thought reflections on religion and its meaning in people's lives. Caro ends up talking a lot to Father Bob, who tries to help her to understand why Hannah left and what she might be going through now. Caro has a chance to ask questions and vent her frustrations to someone removed from the situation that can look at the big picture in a thoughtful way. It does not help right away, but over time it does give Caro a better perspective on what's happened to her sister, and help her figure out what's really going on.

The Opposite of Hallelujah is a longer book, but once I got into it it went really fast. Definitely recommended.(less)

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Oct 26, 2012 Liviania rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anna Jarzab's sophomore novel is a contemporary that doesn't resemble most of the others I've been reading lately. For one thing, the romantic plotline isn't the focus. Protagonist Caro Mitchell's relationship with her sister and her parents is much more important to the story. But it's also about Caro and her relationship to herself, who she wants to be and what she believes.

Caro isn't always the most likeable character. She lies, a lot, and like most habitual liars she does it for stupid reaso...more Anna Jarzab's sophomore novel is a contemporary that doesn't resemble most of the others I've been reading lately. For one thing, the romantic plotline isn't the focus. Protagonist Caro Mitchell's relationship with her sister and her parents is much more important to the story. But it's also about Caro and her relationship to herself, who she wants to be and what she believes.

Caro isn't always the most likeable character. She lies, a lot, and like most habitual liars she does it for stupid reasons. She can also be very self centered. But inside her head it's easy to see how confused she is and how she can barely articulate why she doesn't want to talk to people about the reality of her sister. THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH kicks off when Caro's much older sister Hannah, now in her late twenties, returns home from the convent where she failed as a novitiate. Caro barely knows her sister and doesn't know how to relate to someone who is quite a bit older, obviously in some kind of pain, and whom she's expected to immediately treat like a close relative. I did like how Hannah's story trickled out in bits and pieces.

Caro's parents were intriguing characters. Few young adult novels really bring the parents to the forefront like THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH. I thought they were weirdly strict at first, although they seemed somewhat more mellow by the end of the novel. But they were realistic parents, making mistakes but trying to do their best for their daughter.

Although it's nice to read a book that isn't all about the romance, I could've used more Pawel. He's the new kid in school and exactly who Caro needs in her life after a bad break up. He's a great guy who isn't afraid to call Caro out on her behavior when she treats him badly. The final important character is Father Bob, the priest Caro likes to talk to despite her personal lack of religion. Religion is one of the themes of THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH, and Bob and Caro's conversations are very interesting. (Readers need not be afraid of being preached at.)

THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH is a wonderful novel that stands out nicely from the crowd. It made me want to track down Jarzab's first novel, ALL UNQUIET THINGS. THE OPPOSITE OF HALLELUJAH is an intelligent coming-of-age novel that will appeal to lovers of character-driven stories. (less)

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Oct 16, 2012 Annette rated it 2 of 5 stars

I just don't know about The Opposite of Hallelujah. Good writing, decent characters, interesting premise. But, it was so looooooong, and really nothing happens until the last 1/4 of the book.

Caro's sister, who has been in a convent for over 10 years (and left when Caro was 8 years old) is leaving the convent and coming back home to live. Caro doesn't know her sister, Hannah, who is now 27, and doesn't feel any great attachment to her.

When Hannah comes home, there is obviously something wrong. Sh...more I just don't know about The Opposite of Hallelujah. Good writing, decent characters, interesting premise. But, it was so looooooong, and really nothing happens until the last 1/4 of the book.

Caro's sister, who has been in a convent for over 10 years (and left when Caro was 8 years old) is leaving the convent and coming back home to live. Caro doesn't know her sister, Hannah, who is now 27, and doesn't feel any great attachment to her.

When Hannah comes home, there is obviously something wrong. She doesn't eat. She sleeps all the time and barely comes out of her room. (Can you say "depression?")

There are things from Hannah's past that Caro figures out -- at least parts of it -- from reading what Hannah wrote when she was young. Caro's parents won't tell her anything. Caro wants to solve the mystery and figure out what's up with Hannah.

There's a romance. A new boy at school who Hannah starts seeing. It's a rocky relationship, with ups and downs, and I guess it was OK. But it didn't really add much to the story. Caro has friends, but she keeps them so far from her family problems that they really don't mean anything in the novel -- except when it comes to the partying (more about that in a minute.)

The best part of the story is that Caro decides to confide in Father Dan, a priest at their church. Neither Caro or her parents are devout. I really liked the discussions that they had. It was the best part of The Opposite of Hallelujah for me -- a lot of philosophizing and talking about beliefs. I love all the references to M.C. Escher. It wasn't preachy, but there is some discussion of belief in God, so if that turns you off, stay away from The Opposite of Hallelujah.

I am happy that Caro's parents were very involved in their children's lives and tried to do what was right. I really didn't like that they were so stupid. They didn't understand why Caro wasn't all excited about Hannah's return. They were so stupid about the relationship between the sisters. They didn't really do anything (except talk) for Hannah, when she was obviously having serious problems.

It took 350 pages for the problem to get serious enough that something actually happened. The last 100 pages were the entire story. I almost gave up on The Opposite of Hallelujah, but I got through it, even though I KNEW what was likely to happen. Entirely predictable. I guess I was hoping for a surprise or twist. Nope.

I rarely give content warnings about books. I live with teens every day. I know they drink, swear, and have sex. And guess what? THEY know it too. So, there's a lot of casual, no big deal, "drinking on the weekends" kind of partying in The Opposite of Hallelujah. Cara is a "straight A" student. No one ever drives when they are drunk. But they pretty much get drunk on the weekends. *gets on soapbox* By the time a kid is in high school, most of them have decided whether they are going to drink or not. If they haven't decided, they will succumb to peer pressure, NOT what's in a book! If teens don't drink, they still know that a lot of teens DO drink. They have chosen not to. And reading about teen drinking in a book isn't going to change their minds. It's just a realistic story about teens. Not all teens, but some teens. And they all know that. Give them some credit. So, I wouldn't keep this book from teens because of the drinking. *steps off soapbox.*

However, I will have a hard time recommending this book to teens because of its length. The Opposite of Hallelujah just never grabbed me, or made me feel any kind of anticipation or emotion. This is an ARC, so my only hope is that there is some severe editing in the final copy, but I know that isn't likely.(less)

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Jul 03, 2012 Ally rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, netgalley, young-adult, printz-watch-2013, fiction, grief, contemps

Caro is basically an only child. Her much older sister Hannah left home when Caro was eight, and she hasn't seen her in some years. But suddenly, Hannah is home, and Caro's orderly, predictable life is turned upside down and even she is surprised by her response to it.

Oh, Anna Jarzab. You slay me. I really liked All Unquiet Things (so do my patrons!), so when I saw this title on NetGalley, I had to snatch it up. I made myself wait until closer to the pub date to read it and I finished it in a da...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Melodie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was another Netgalley ARC which I chose for the slight mystery element mentioned in the blurb. I loved the way the author wove discussion of religion and belief through her narrative - it never came across as preachy or overbearing. I wish more YA would address these deeper questions, because teens are SO searching for meaning/answers at this stage of life.

Anyway, the main conflict in the story is between Caro and her recently returned sister, Hannah, who has renounced the convent and is a...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Kathy Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a big book filled with big ideas. What does it mean to be sisters? How do you deal with grief? What about jealousy? What do you think about faith and God? How do you handle change?

Caro is just about to start her junior year in high school when the sister who left to join a convent when Caro was eight comes home. Hannah comes home sick and depressed and without a plan for her life. Caro doesn't know how to cope. When she was younger she got the name Caroliar for telling her school friends...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Arlena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, excellent-book, fiction, fiction-reviews, my-reviews, inspirational-fiction, preteen

Author: Anna Jarzab
Published by: Delacorte Books For Young Readers
Age Recommend: 12 YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA

Review:

"The Opposite of Hallelujah" by Anna Jarzab was truly one wonderful enjoyable read. The author Anna Jarzab was able to let us see how faith, forgiveness and above all sisterhood in the wonderful read of "The Opposite Of Hallelujah" could really be a exciting book for any YA. Yes, it deals with spirituality and Catholicism but in a very inspiring...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Michael Jones rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dealing-w-illness, honorable-romance, worldview-issues, church-helps-the-hurting

The “voice” of Caro was beautifully done! The author had an amazing ability to use Caro’s POV to:
1. express what she is really feeling
2. give huge insights into many family dynamics
3. give huge insights into many school and relationship dynamics.

Bravo!

This book shows a way out for families who are struggling through something dark (in this case really dark) in the past. It was beautiful in that Caro needed all the support of her family, friends, teachers and (which was very nice for me to see)...more

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Sep 21, 2012 Brandi Kosiner rated it 4 of 5 stars

At the heart of The Opposite of Hallelujah, I think the message is that your actions don't just effect yourself. A lie, a decision to leave, hiding from your problems, and pain can't be isolated to just you, it creates a wave to the people you love and that love you.
Caro is a very relatable narrator. I could relate with her anger, pain and doubt about what was going on in the world around her as well as her curiosity whether related to learning or uncovering the past of her prodigal sister. S...more At the heart of The Opposite of Hallelujah, I think the message is that your actions don't just effect yourself. A lie, a decision to leave, hiding from your problems, and pain can't be isolated to just you, it creates a wave to the people you love and that love you.
Caro is a very relatable narrator. I could relate with her anger, pain and doubt about what was going on in the world around her as well as her curiosity whether related to learning or uncovering the past of her prodigal sister. She is a bit spoiled at times, but aren't we all. Thinking of ourselves is our natural state, but I love how she feels regret when she treats others badly, and at the end of the day I think that she strives to put others before herself.
Pawel, Caro's friend and love interest is great as well. I loved his sense of humor, his sensitivity and the closeness that was featured in his family as well.
The Opposite of Hallelujah definitily has something that is missing from a lot of teen novels, involved parents. It doesn't mean that they are perfect, but I love the relationship and the conversations that are in this book. I like that they are involved in school work, try to enforce a family dinner, and how they try to cultivate a relationship between Caro and Hannah.
Anna Jarzab did a wonderful job writing the emotions of the characters. It got me to feel something for them, especially with Hannah. Even when I did not know what was the root of her pain and confusion, I still felt for her. I could see that she was trying to hard to reform a relationship with Caro as she sorted through her feelings.
I guess one thing that should be mentioned in case you can't tell from the description, there is a lot of religious discussion in this novel, but I think that it all felt authentic. Caro was questioning what she really believed, if there was a God, her anger with him, and confusion at what made her sister join the convent and ultimately what led her to leave. Father Bob is a great presence in this novel too. I don't think that he ever tried to force his beliefs on anyone, but rather he was a listening ear to Caro, and tried to lead her on the path to discovering herself, and what she can do for her sister.

For more of my reviews, check out Blkosiner’s YA and Teen Book Blog: http://blkosiner.blogspot.com (less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley

2.5/5

What’s interesting is how absolutely unlikeable Caro started out to be, yet I continued hoping that there was something more to the girl. Seeing herself as an only child is what starts it all: she’s spoiled, whiny and all the flaws pointed out in her were accurate. From lying to being self unwilling to bend, I was seriously hard pressed in finding anything to like in her. Bit by bit though I could see a little into her why’s.

The interaction with her family, her sister and mother especially...more 2.5/5

What’s interesting is how absolutely unlikeable Caro started out to be, yet I continued hoping that there was something more to the girl. Seeing herself as an only child is what starts it all: she’s spoiled, whiny and all the flaws pointed out in her were accurate. From lying to being self unwilling to bend, I was seriously hard pressed in finding anything to like in her. Bit by bit though I could see a little into her why’s.

The interaction with her family, her sister and mother especially, had me wondering as she did. Why the different treatment between sisters? And it’s this that amplified the drama even more. It started out normally too. You have a trio of girls each with her own quirks, one in particular dealing with boy troubles. But what would have been the usual drama of girl dealing with ex boyfriends and new boys and best friends and what not, well, we’re dealt with ~~a girl~~ ~~sisters~~ a family that’s not quite up to the task of dealing with their issues. They all were so unable to deal! Where the parents tiptoe around; Caro wants to go on as she usually did… even though everything had changed, with her not knowing why things had changed.

The reveals though left me feeling like I’d been given the short end of the stick. I simply wanted more. Her sister’s own story is basically the root of what Caro has to deal with. And while the sadness felt right, and while Hanna’s response(s) felt on the spot too. I just couldn’t quite connect to it all. The only time I truly felt more engaged by the story was how Caro chose to respond. It’s not that she turns to faith for answers because her position on that was quite clear from the get but that she turns to certain people who’re not quite how she thought them to be.

While I didn’t like her parents methods and I didn’t quite buy into Caro turning to the person that she did, I did like the normal in between's of her dealing with the consequences of her actions. The girl was flawed (and sure, she had her reasons) so there were repercussions (definite plus on that account.) I really do wish I felt more for both Caro and Hannah; still, the Opposite of Hallelujah’s did have some interesting moments.
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May 31, 2013 Sierra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Caro has the good life. She has nice friends, a boyfriend, and she’s treated like an only child. Only she isn’t. She has an older sister who left home eight years ago to be a nun and all of a sudden she’s coming back. Caro is compelled to keep where she really was a secret and entangles herself in lies. Once her boyfriend and her separate and she sets her eyes on the new boy she lies to him about her sister too, because she’s ashamed of who her sister was.

Caro ignores the signs that Hannah has d...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Margo Berendsen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-my-reads, ya-contemporaray

It was a very blue day at the library for me when I rushed in to pick up a newly released book only to discover someone had beaten me to it. So I slowly circled the new-release shelves, looking for something else brilliant to pass the time.

The title of this one caught me eye. Though I appreciate a clever or beautiful cover, really it's the titles that catch my eyes more than anything else when I'm book browsing.

This title was just so suggestive. The opposite of an hallelujah - would that be a c...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Book Twirps rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I first started this book I expected a story about sibling rivalry and maybe a mystery surrounding Hannah which would be the main driving force behind the story — that’s not what I got. BUT, that’s not a bad thing. This was one of those times when my expectations weren’t met and I was delivered something that I ended up enjoying.

Caro (Carolina) has lived most of her life without her sister, Hannah. Hannah went away twelve years ago to join a convent (don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler — it’s...more When I first started this book I expected a story about sibling rivalry and maybe a mystery surrounding Hannah which would be the main driving force behind the story — that’s not what I got. BUT, that’s not a bad thing. This was one of those times when my expectations weren’t met and I was delivered something that I ended up enjoying.

Caro (Carolina) has lived most of her life without her sister, Hannah. Hannah went away twelve years ago to join a convent (don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler — it’s revealed very early in the book). Caro never understood why Hannah would leave her, and she’s spent most of her life pretending her sister was never coming back. In fact, she even told her classmates that her sister was dead — a story that landed her in big trouble at home. When Hannah leaves the convent to live at home again, Caro’s lies begin to crumble around her. Despite her annoyance with her sister, Caro is a little worried about her and begins to seek answers from unlikely sources. What she discovers may just save both of them.

As I said earlier, this book wasn’t what I was expecting at all, but that’s a good thing. The book touches a lot on faith and religion (though it never felt preachy as much as informative). I suppose this may have been left out of the synopsis so as not to turn readers off. I can assure you that this is not a book about religion so much as a book that contains religion as a plot point. I actually found it quite interesting.

I feel like I need to point out that Caro is not a likable character. She lies and acts out and makes some bad choices. While I wasn’t exactly fond of her, she was intriguing. I just wish her character had gone through more of a transformation. She didn’t change as much as I felt she could have. Though Caro is the main character in the novel, Hannah’s story was the main focus. I actually found myself more intrigued by Hannah and I almost wish the book had been told from her point of view. Then again, had it been, it wouldn’t have fallen into the YA category (Hannah is in her 20′s) and I think maybe the slight distance from Hannah added a little more intrigue.

Another refreshing thing about the book was the romance. I was ready to roll my eyes when Pawal came into the picture. He was the new boy who develops an immediate crush on Caro. Their relationship grew at a natural pace though, and while I do feel Pawal was more of a device than a fully fleshed out character, he did play an important part in Caro’s story.

My only real complaint is that the book is a long one and there were several places were I wished it would just pick up and go. Once things started falling into place, the pace picked up. I just wish it had done so about 200 pages sooner.

All in all it’s a good story, and if you don’t mind a slower pace, I would definitely recommend it.(less)

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Feb 19, 2013 Ashlie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

There is a special bond between sisters that can only be denied for so long, and this book is the story of that. I encourage anyone with a sister, whether you’re close or not, to read this book. It discovers faith in different ways, and what it means to different people, and absolutely explores grief and the ways we try to cope and how we try to hide it when we think others are looking. For a book concerning religion and the question of God’s existence, it was never preachy and it never read lik...more There is a special bond between sisters that can only be denied for so long, and this book is the story of that. I encourage anyone with a sister, whether you’re close or not, to read this book. It discovers faith in different ways, and what it means to different people, and absolutely explores grief and the ways we try to cope and how we try to hide it when we think others are looking. For a book concerning religion and the question of God’s existence, it was never preachy and it never read like a sermon.

Although I liked Jarzab’s first novel, All Unquiet Things, better, I thought the way she approached this book was smart. She offers contemplative questions, and some character soul-searching, but never shoves an answer down your throat or dismisses a contradicting viewpoint. She allows her characters to develop themselves without forcing it. I loved how Caro seemed to seek out Father Bob’s help on her own when her sister’s arrives home (although her parents and the Father himself make him accessible), and the reader is able to see an almost measurable increase in her maturity through the course of the novel.

I had this feeling of distrust and dislike towards Hannah before the idea in the book of her coming home from the convent ever appeared. It was strange to me how I almost immediately sympathized with Caro at the very beginning of the story despite knowing nothing of her history, Hannah’s background or what was to come in the book. I automatically clung to her and, although I don’t know how well I relate to her, I found myself trying and just accepting her, gigantic, apathetic flaws and all. I really didn’t love Hannah until Caro did, which really added to my reading experience. I felt like I came into everything that Caro was going through with her instead of observing from the outside and the story really took possession of my emotions that way. I find this a testament to Jarzab’s storytelling ability.

I enjoyed the science vs. religion dynamic that was included, and appreciated that the romantic subplot was just that, a subplot. While I liked the romantic interest, it was a nice change that family relationships and school is what really brought Caro and Pawel together. Everyone in Caro’s life really seemed to be supportive of her learning and growing through her challenges, and I feel that was what enabled her to be supportive of Hannah when she finally admitted her own struggles to her family.

I’m rating The Opposite of Hallelujah 4 STARS
I think that this novel generally relates that people come to faith in their own way, in their own time, or in God’s own time. This book was not what I expected. It’s subtle with a quietly powerful depth. I hope you will enjoy it if you decide to pick it up, which you should ;)
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Mar 22, 2013 Beth Dailey Kenneth rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 27, 2013 Kayla Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book on and off in less than 24 hours. I thought it was a very good book, but at first it was a bit boring, but sticking with it definitely paid off. Caro was a very relatable character and she struggles as she deals with her sister coming home and the past that's been haunting her for over ten years.
This book had some ups and downs and Catholicism had a large part in it without making the book unappealing. The author pulled that off pretty nicely and made Father Bob (the priest at...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Shannel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is geared toward young adults, but I loved it: Strong and well-developed plot, interesting characters, not predictable, very true to life & dare I say that I learned a few things that I never knew about.

Enjoyed that the writing was so well done that I became completely immersed in the Caro's (the main character's) emotions.

It's one of those books that I could relate to indirectly, so many of the lines spoke to me & things I'm going through in my late 20's & as a new paren...more

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