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How It Ends
Following her stunning and critically acclaimed novels Such a Pretty Girl and Leftovers, Laura Wiess crafts a riveting and emotionally powerful tale of beauty, destruction...and love.
Seventeen-year-old Hanna has been in love with Seth for as long as she can remember, but now that she and Seth are in an actual relationship, love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seth is controlling and all they seem to do anymore is fight. If that’s what love is, Hanna doesn’t want any part of it. Besides, she has something else on her mind: graduation. But she’s been ignoring the school’s community service requirement, and now she needs to rack up some hours in a hurry.
Hanna volunteers as a caretaker for her neighbor Mrs. Schoenmaker—an elderly woman with advanced Parkinson’s whose husband can’t always be there to watch over her. While caring for Mrs. S., Hanna becomes mesmerized by an audiobook that the older woman is listening to, a love story of passion, sacrifice, and complete devotion. She’s fascinated by the idea that love like that really exists, and slowly, the story begins to change her. But what Hanna doesn’t know is that the story she’s listening to is not fiction—and that Mrs. Schoenmaker and her husband’s devotion to each other is about to reach its shattering, irrevocable conclusion....
Spellbinding, timeless, and achingly poignant, How It Ends is a story of how love ends, how it begins, and how people and events have the ability to change who we are without our even realizing it.
Seventeen-year-old Hanna has been in love with Seth for as long as she can remember, but now that she and Seth are in an actual relationship, love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seth is controlling and all they seem to do anymore is fight. If that’s what love is, Hanna doesn’t want any part of it. Besides, she has something else on her mind: graduation. But she’s been ignoring the school’s community service requirement, and now she needs to rack up some hours in a hurry.
Hanna volunteers as a caretaker for her neighbor Mrs. Schoenmaker—an elderly woman with advanced Parkinson’s whose husband can’t always be there to watch over her. While caring for Mrs. S., Hanna becomes mesmerized by an audiobook that the older woman is listening to, a love story of passion, sacrifice, and complete devotion. She’s fascinated by the idea that love like that really exists, and slowly, the story begins to change her. But what Hanna doesn’t know is that the story she’s listening to is not fiction—and that Mrs. Schoenmaker and her husband’s devotion to each other is about to reach its shattering, irrevocable conclusion....
Spellbinding, timeless, and achingly poignant, How It Ends is a story of how love ends, how it begins, and how people and events have the ability to change who we are without our even realizing it.
344 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2009
45 people are currently reading
7068 people want to read
About the author
Laura Wiess
6 books544 followersLaura Wiess is the author of the critically acclaimed novels Such a Pretty Girl, chosen as one of the ALA’s 2008 Best Books for Young Adults and 2008 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, and Leftovers. Originally from Milltown, New Jersey, she traded bumper-to-bumper traffic, excellent pizza, and summer days down the shore for scenic roads, bears, no pizza delivery, and the irresistible allure of an old stone house surrounded by forests in Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains Region. Email Laura Wiess at laura@laurawiess.com or visit http://www.laurawiess.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
September 20, 2010
How It Ends by Laura Wiess is truly a powerful book in its own right and one that I won’t soon forget. I finished the book in the same manner as I started it – on the verge of tears. I plowed through most of this book at my local book café and I’m sure the crowd around me witnessed a gamut of emotions cross my face as I journeyed through this novel filled with a well crafted plot, perfectly developed characters and a tumultuous end that had be gasping in shock and horror.
The story spans about three years and starts off with Hanna as a sophomore in High School. Her heart is set on getting the attention of Seth, a cool, guitar playing junior. When he finally notices her and they begin a relationship, it’s filled with hurt, betrayal and deceit. Confused by his treatment, she begins a community service project taking care of her terminally ill neighbor Mrs. Shoenmaker who is suffering from Parkinson’s. Hanna becomes consumed in the care for this older lady that she grew up with. They spend their time together listening to an audio book which is a story of love, devotion and ultimate sacrifice. This changes how Hanna begins to view her reality and the choices she’s made for herself, but the ending of this story becomes a reality she never imagined possible.
So many intricate characters made up this novel and each came with a back-story that demanded to be told. Some I couldn’t handle and others I wanted to hear more about. But, Hanna’s story was one the will stay with me for quite some time. I came to really care for her character. There were times that she made decisions that had me face palming, but she was so unapologetic about her choices and stood by what she decided that I couldn’t come to fault her. It was like witnessing my best friend make mistake after mistake and I just stood there dishing out the sympathy. Yes, she didn’t make the best of choices, but her growth and discovery along the way made every single mistake she made well worth the journey.
I know I wasn’t supposed to like Seth’s character. He lies, cheats, plays mind games with Hanna, but at the end of the day I felt sorry for him and hoped he achieved his own HEA.
Karate guy Jesse was shear perfection in this story and every time he made an appearance, I sat at the edge of my seat waiting for him to deliver his swoon worthy lines or actions. I knew immediately that beneath this guy that sported dreads, tatts, a leather jacked and rode a motorcycle was someone that deserved better than what life offered him. The scenes that involved this character were my favorite by far.
The ending in this story is one I never, NEVER expected. There was one scene that made me feel revulsion, despair, hurt, and shock. I’m still not sure if the hopelessness of the situation called for such action, but it is what it is and I was left in angst.
This book is not for the faint at heart, it’s filled with heavy themes and desperate decisions that result in pain. I was drawn into the lives of these characters and journeyed with them as they shared their story. I loved this book regardless of how it broke my heart. I’ll definitely make it a point to read Wiess’ other novels.
The story spans about three years and starts off with Hanna as a sophomore in High School. Her heart is set on getting the attention of Seth, a cool, guitar playing junior. When he finally notices her and they begin a relationship, it’s filled with hurt, betrayal and deceit. Confused by his treatment, she begins a community service project taking care of her terminally ill neighbor Mrs. Shoenmaker who is suffering from Parkinson’s. Hanna becomes consumed in the care for this older lady that she grew up with. They spend their time together listening to an audio book which is a story of love, devotion and ultimate sacrifice. This changes how Hanna begins to view her reality and the choices she’s made for herself, but the ending of this story becomes a reality she never imagined possible.
So many intricate characters made up this novel and each came with a back-story that demanded to be told. Some I couldn’t handle and others I wanted to hear more about. But, Hanna’s story was one the will stay with me for quite some time. I came to really care for her character. There were times that she made decisions that had me face palming, but she was so unapologetic about her choices and stood by what she decided that I couldn’t come to fault her. It was like witnessing my best friend make mistake after mistake and I just stood there dishing out the sympathy. Yes, she didn’t make the best of choices, but her growth and discovery along the way made every single mistake she made well worth the journey.
I know I wasn’t supposed to like Seth’s character. He lies, cheats, plays mind games with Hanna, but at the end of the day I felt sorry for him and hoped he achieved his own HEA.
Karate guy Jesse was shear perfection in this story and every time he made an appearance, I sat at the edge of my seat waiting for him to deliver his swoon worthy lines or actions. I knew immediately that beneath this guy that sported dreads, tatts, a leather jacked and rode a motorcycle was someone that deserved better than what life offered him. The scenes that involved this character were my favorite by far.
The ending in this story is one I never, NEVER expected. There was one scene that made me feel revulsion, despair, hurt, and shock. I’m still not sure if the hopelessness of the situation called for such action, but it is what it is and I was left in angst.
This book is not for the faint at heart, it’s filled with heavy themes and desperate decisions that result in pain. I was drawn into the lives of these characters and journeyed with them as they shared their story. I loved this book regardless of how it broke my heart. I’ll definitely make it a point to read Wiess’ other novels.
October 27, 2010
What began as a three star read somehow reduced me into a weeping mess. At present, my eyes are puffy and slightly bloodshot. My sleep was besieged with anguish and I kept fighting with the covers. My mind is befuddled due to lack of sleep. In short, How It Ends messed with my mind and toyed with my emotions. I ADORED it.
I’m not an adequate reviewer and will in no way be able to do this book justice. I don’t have the words to properly convey the thoughts that will pilfer through your mind as you immerse yourself into Hanna’s and Helen’s story, although I can list out a few of the many emotions that coincided with such thoughts. Frustration, annoyance, giddiness, understanding, compassion, sympathy, love, sorrow, joy, triumph, anger, fear and hope, most certainly hope.
How It Ends tells the intertwining story of Hanna, a 15 year old girl equipped with a compassionate heart, taste for rebellion, and a destructive crush on a senior man whore named Seth; and Helen, Hanna’s elderly, childless neighbor and stand in Grandmother. Hanna has always enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, listening as she would weave tells of happily ever afters as they walked the woodland estate and nursed lost or forgotten strays. In Hanna’s mind, her grandmother’s home is a wonderland and Helen has always allowed for the indulgence. But when Helen is stricken with a debilitating illness, she begins to understand that her good intentions could also be Hanna’s undoing. In an effort to right some wrongs, Helen is determined to tell Hanna the truths she has kept hidden most of her life and so begins the agonizing sub-story to How It Ends.
In present time, Hanna stole this book. Her voice was typical, and yet endearing. She’s so ordinarily flawed that you can’t help but to root for her, become angered by her, etc. With that said, it was the story of Helen’s past that truly broke my heart, leaving me both devastated and joyful.
The writing is vivid, thoughtfully described and possesses a host of characters that are so chalk full of life they practically walk along side you as you embark on their journey. HowItEnds is a remarkable story that I couldn’t forget even if I tried.
Hanneybean, thank you for the recommendation. You are an evil genius.
I’m not an adequate reviewer and will in no way be able to do this book justice. I don’t have the words to properly convey the thoughts that will pilfer through your mind as you immerse yourself into Hanna’s and Helen’s story, although I can list out a few of the many emotions that coincided with such thoughts. Frustration, annoyance, giddiness, understanding, compassion, sympathy, love, sorrow, joy, triumph, anger, fear and hope, most certainly hope.
How It Ends tells the intertwining story of Hanna, a 15 year old girl equipped with a compassionate heart, taste for rebellion, and a destructive crush on a senior man whore named Seth; and Helen, Hanna’s elderly, childless neighbor and stand in Grandmother. Hanna has always enjoyed spending time with her grandmother, listening as she would weave tells of happily ever afters as they walked the woodland estate and nursed lost or forgotten strays. In Hanna’s mind, her grandmother’s home is a wonderland and Helen has always allowed for the indulgence. But when Helen is stricken with a debilitating illness, she begins to understand that her good intentions could also be Hanna’s undoing. In an effort to right some wrongs, Helen is determined to tell Hanna the truths she has kept hidden most of her life and so begins the agonizing sub-story to How It Ends.
In present time, Hanna stole this book. Her voice was typical, and yet endearing. She’s so ordinarily flawed that you can’t help but to root for her, become angered by her, etc. With that said, it was the story of Helen’s past that truly broke my heart, leaving me both devastated and joyful.
The writing is vivid, thoughtfully described and possesses a host of characters that are so chalk full of life they practically walk along side you as you embark on their journey. HowItEnds is a remarkable story that I couldn’t forget even if I tried.
Hanneybean, thank you for the recommendation. You are an evil genius.
April 15, 2020
“I don’t know how you say good-bye to whom and what you love. I don’t know a painless way to do it, don’t know the words to capture a heart so full and a longing so intense.”
There are two very good novellas contains in this book. And frankly that was its own downfall, in my humble opinion. It would have been grand to have these two ideas fully developed into two whole books with interconnected characters.
Hanna’s voice almost literally jumps off the page. Hers is one to remember in a sea full of annoying YA heroines. She’s so, well, everything.
So it’s no wonder that the Hanna portion of the book was extraordinary well done: I loved how her teenage life was portrayed and I even loved how her ill-advised and rather foolish love life progressed. I suspect if this is just a contemporary YA, it would have managed to get a much higher rating from me but unfortunately (or not) this book wasn’t just about Hanna. It was about Helen too. I loved Helen and Peter, I did, I just felt the contrast of these two timelines didn’t come together so well in the end.
So this is how my peculiar rating calculation for this book goes:
Hanna section: ★★★★½
Helen section: ★★★★
Overall rating: ★★★½
January 20, 2011
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. This book is by far the best thing I have read in a while.
It's a story of young love, untamed lust, a first kiss, heartbreak, life lessons, and learning to say good-bye.
"How it Ends" centers around a fifteen year old girl named Hanna who is in love with her school's bad boy. Remember those days? Remember back when you would have given anything for that one boy to notice you? That's what Hanna reminded me (and not in a ditsy - OMG - kind of way. In a regular HUMAN way) of.
Helen is an elderly woman who has watched Hanna grow up and is now watching her drift away from her until a terminal disease brings Hanna back to her door. And when that happens.... Helen tells her life's story without even speaking.
I wish I could tell you all how this book made me feel. If I could find the right words, I would. This story moved me beyond words. My husband came home last night and found me at the kitchen table. He looked at me and said, "What's the matter?" I tried to hide my eyes and told him, "Nothing." He touched the stack of mail and asked if THAT was what was bothering me (dental bills have been known to make me cry). I shook my head and told him, "No. I finished my book."
Of course he did the classic guy thing and snickered... but I'm here to tell you... Not too many books can do that to me. The author REALLY REALLY has to drag me into a story to make me cry.
I'll definitely be reading this book again.
It's a story of young love, untamed lust, a first kiss, heartbreak, life lessons, and learning to say good-bye.
"How it Ends" centers around a fifteen year old girl named Hanna who is in love with her school's bad boy. Remember those days? Remember back when you would have given anything for that one boy to notice you? That's what Hanna reminded me (and not in a ditsy - OMG - kind of way. In a regular HUMAN way) of.
Helen is an elderly woman who has watched Hanna grow up and is now watching her drift away from her until a terminal disease brings Hanna back to her door. And when that happens.... Helen tells her life's story without even speaking.
I wish I could tell you all how this book made me feel. If I could find the right words, I would. This story moved me beyond words. My husband came home last night and found me at the kitchen table. He looked at me and said, "What's the matter?" I tried to hide my eyes and told him, "Nothing." He touched the stack of mail and asked if THAT was what was bothering me (dental bills have been known to make me cry). I shook my head and told him, "No. I finished my book."
Of course he did the classic guy thing and snickered... but I'm here to tell you... Not too many books can do that to me. The author REALLY REALLY has to drag me into a story to make me cry.
I'll definitely be reading this book again.
June 3, 2013
This book had me on the verge of actual, literal, salty fresh tears.
My reactions while reading this wonderfully crafted tale of love, loss, and life:
Wiess has one of the most unique writing styles I've ever encountered. Her words just flowed like magic: rich, smooth, and powerfully moving. She just lays it out there, the lush imagery of nature's beauty, and carefully builds on the relationship between 15 year old Hanna, and her neighbor (whom she refers to as her Grandma), Helen.
The prologue was intense, which served to carefully lay out the foundation and background context of Hanna and Helen's relationship. The prose was just... rich and meaty and perfect for rereads, and rainy days.
Further, the story continues to slowly build - from chapter to chapter, shifting from both Hanna and Helen's POV. Both characters were so complex, both so flawed yet so full of life, I could not see them as mere fictional characters. They were alive and real and true.
Also, the variety of issues that were presented in this novel, ranged from taxidermy, to Parkinson's disease, to love, to hidden secrets, to awkward-and-embarrassing moments, to women's reproductive rights, and so much more. Those issues were handled with careful grace, and just added layers upon layers of life's mysteries and secrets in-between the lines.
All in all, I don't want to spoil the story for anyone. It's just something you have to discover for yourself.
The ending was bittersweet, but also left me feeling incredibly hopeful.
And it was beautiful and right and poignant and true.
*I urge readers to stick with the story, even if it starts off a bit slow, and even if Hanna tends to annoy you with her obsession with Seth.
*Strangely, I couldn't help but fall in love with every single character in the novel; even jerkface Seth & mysterious, tattooed Jesse with his dreadlocks.
*It was Helen's story, however, that just blew my mind and held me captive. Absolutely brilliant storytelling!
*Loved the story-within-the-story element, as well.
Faith, thank you for the awesome recommendation!! It was lovelier than lovely. I'm sure you know what I mean!
My reactions while reading this wonderfully crafted tale of love, loss, and life:
Wiess has one of the most unique writing styles I've ever encountered. Her words just flowed like magic: rich, smooth, and powerfully moving. She just lays it out there, the lush imagery of nature's beauty, and carefully builds on the relationship between 15 year old Hanna, and her neighbor (whom she refers to as her Grandma), Helen.
The prologue was intense, which served to carefully lay out the foundation and background context of Hanna and Helen's relationship. The prose was just... rich and meaty and perfect for rereads, and rainy days.
Further, the story continues to slowly build - from chapter to chapter, shifting from both Hanna and Helen's POV. Both characters were so complex, both so flawed yet so full of life, I could not see them as mere fictional characters. They were alive and real and true.
Also, the variety of issues that were presented in this novel, ranged from taxidermy, to Parkinson's disease, to love, to hidden secrets, to awkward-and-embarrassing moments, to women's reproductive rights, and so much more. Those issues were handled with careful grace, and just added layers upon layers of life's mysteries and secrets in-between the lines.
All in all, I don't want to spoil the story for anyone. It's just something you have to discover for yourself.
The ending was bittersweet, but also left me feeling incredibly hopeful.
And it was beautiful and right and poignant and true.
*I urge readers to stick with the story, even if it starts off a bit slow, and even if Hanna tends to annoy you with her obsession with Seth.
*Strangely, I couldn't help but fall in love with every single character in the novel; even jerkface Seth & mysterious, tattooed Jesse with his dreadlocks.
*It was Helen's story, however, that just blew my mind and held me captive. Absolutely brilliant storytelling!
*Loved the story-within-the-story element, as well.
Faith, thank you for the awesome recommendation!! It was lovelier than lovely. I'm sure you know what I mean!
November 22, 2014
“One faces the future with one’s past.” – Pearl S. Buck
How It Ends was perfect! Not often can we call a book perfect, but this was such a wonderful reading experience for me. While I was reading this I felt like I was living with Hanna and Helen and it was both beautiful and saddening.
This book broke my heart and I loved every second of it!
The story follows Hanna, a regular teenage girl who just wants to do regular teenage stuff, get noticed by Seth, a popular bad boy and lately begins to neglect her elderly neighbor Helen, her ‘Grandma.’ Now, Hanna is growing up and Helen is growing old and she wants to right all the fairytales she told Hanna while she was growing up, because sometimes we lie to those we love and sometimes there is more to the person than we initially thought. Therefore, she leaves her confession in the form of an audiobook.
Meanwhile, we have Hanna who’s trying to understand and learn what love should and shouldn’t be while pursuing a relationship with Seth which only makes her miserable. Then we have Jesse (whom I fell in love with), this older biker guy who’s just a real sweetheart.
However, as much as I loved Hanna’s maturing and self-discovery it was Helen’s story that pulled at my heart. When that audiobook started narrating, I was swept away.
Furthermore, the writing is splendid, we have dual timeline, which I absolutely adore. I feel like Wiess has taken little parts from my favorite books, woven them together and created this unforgettable book!
I’ve finished this a few days ago and I’m still basking in all the emotions induced by this book. I think this is much more than just YA – we have a modern tale of Hanna’s struggles; heartwarming romance between Louise and Peter; some very important moral issues, and the role of the past in defining us.. Just an overall wonderful story within a story.
Therefore, this is definitely a favorite of mine and I highly recommend it if you want a tale with raw emotions, about history each person carries within them and how love is born and how it dies.
"I would not willingly peel back the scar tissue protecting the deepest chambers of my heart and reveal the bruised hollows pooled with the blood of old wounds – the terror comes just thinking about it – but now, facing darkness I am left with no choice.
I love you, and because of that am going to try and raise the dead."
February 24, 2020
Hanna is 15, going on sixteen, and totally ready for love. She's crushing heavily on bad boy Seth, the school playboy, but she also can't deny her attraction for 19 year old Jesse. Just the description of the kiss scene between Jesse and Hanna, with "his dreads slipping forward like a slinky black curtain to shield us from view..." had me firmly on Team Jesse - aka the karate guy! Bad boy Seth was such an immature dud! But Hanna had to learn the hard way to respect herself and refuse to accept Seth's wandering ways.
The parallel backstory of Hanna's neighbours, the Shoenmakers, and their grand romance had me sniffling at the end. The right to die with dignity is one of the several serious themes in this novel. Alas, we still have a long way to go in this area. I tend to stay away from stories involving Alzheimers/Parkinsons?Lewy Body dementias, as these are major triggers for me, but I couldn't resist Laura Wiess's beautiful storytelling.
I confess that I had to break out my secret stash of wild berry licorice cords after finishing this one. Highly recommended!
The parallel backstory of Hanna's neighbours, the Shoenmakers, and their grand romance had me sniffling at the end. The right to die with dignity is one of the several serious themes in this novel. Alas, we still have a long way to go in this area. I tend to stay away from stories involving Alzheimers/Parkinsons?Lewy Body dementias, as these are major triggers for me, but I couldn't resist Laura Wiess's beautiful storytelling.
I confess that I had to break out my secret stash of wild berry licorice cords after finishing this one. Highly recommended!
June 5, 2010
Wow, this book is so much more than I ever thought it would be! I wasn't sure what I was expecting - maybe a light young adult read - but this was not a light and fun story at all. It is deep, emotional, and painful. And I loved it!
How it Ends chronicles the stories of Helen and Hanna. Helen is a grandmotherly woman who lives next door to Hanna, a 15 year old girl who is going through the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. She loves a boy who is anything but nice to her, yet she keeps going back to him. Helen has become a grandmother figure to Hanna and regularly talks to her about life. Their relationship is really sweet and makes you long to hug your own grandma!
But, Helen hasn't been truthful with Hanna about her own life, filling Hanna with ideas that her and her husband, Lon's, life has been nothing but roses and butterflies. With Helen suffering from a debilitating disease, she realizes that it is time to tell Hanna the truth. She writes the story - the story of her life from a young girl to the woman she is today - and sends it off to be put into audiobook format.
As Hanna continues to care for the declining Helen, they find comfort in listening to books together. Unbeknownst to Hanna, they begin listening to Helen's book, "How it Ends". It is difficult for Hanna to listen to. She can't imagine someone living through what the characters in the story lived through. She becomes infuriated, sad, and confused, trying to wrap her head around this supposedly "fictionalized" story. Through the listening of the book, Hanna begins to take a stand against her so-called boyfriend, and begins to find her own way in the world. Hanna really grows throughout this story, from an insecure teenager who is eager to please the hot guy in school so he'll be her boyfriend, to finally sticking up for herself and becoming independent and more secure in her own body.
The end of this book is downright shocking and will stay with you long after the last page is read. This is an intense story and one I would definitely recommend. I loved following Hanna's and Helen's journey and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Jennifer
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
How it Ends chronicles the stories of Helen and Hanna. Helen is a grandmotherly woman who lives next door to Hanna, a 15 year old girl who is going through the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. She loves a boy who is anything but nice to her, yet she keeps going back to him. Helen has become a grandmother figure to Hanna and regularly talks to her about life. Their relationship is really sweet and makes you long to hug your own grandma!
But, Helen hasn't been truthful with Hanna about her own life, filling Hanna with ideas that her and her husband, Lon's, life has been nothing but roses and butterflies. With Helen suffering from a debilitating disease, she realizes that it is time to tell Hanna the truth. She writes the story - the story of her life from a young girl to the woman she is today - and sends it off to be put into audiobook format.
As Hanna continues to care for the declining Helen, they find comfort in listening to books together. Unbeknownst to Hanna, they begin listening to Helen's book, "How it Ends". It is difficult for Hanna to listen to. She can't imagine someone living through what the characters in the story lived through. She becomes infuriated, sad, and confused, trying to wrap her head around this supposedly "fictionalized" story. Through the listening of the book, Hanna begins to take a stand against her so-called boyfriend, and begins to find her own way in the world. Hanna really grows throughout this story, from an insecure teenager who is eager to please the hot guy in school so he'll be her boyfriend, to finally sticking up for herself and becoming independent and more secure in her own body.
The end of this book is downright shocking and will stay with you long after the last page is read. This is an intense story and one I would definitely recommend. I loved following Hanna's and Helen's journey and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Jennifer
http://www.crazy-for-books.com
August 21, 2009
I was expecting something either overly romantic or overly childish in Laura Wiess’s HOW IT ENDS. I’m not sure why, perhaps I just didn’t give the blurb enough thought. I was beyond pleasantly surprised to find a story, however, full of emotion and depth. Wiess has created a beautiful story that transports the reader into the lives of Hannah and Helen and shows us what it means to truly live.
Hannah is your typical teenager. At the beginning of HOW IT ENDS, Helen tells us all about Hannah as she learned to love the girl and then watched her grow up. Hannah is a sweet girl, good where it counts, but like any typical teenager she does have her rebellious side. Her entire life seems to be focused on the cute and at times charming Seth. From the moment Hannah lays eyes on him, it becomes her mission to attempt to reel him in. Wiess treats us with one hilarious moment after another as we watch Hannah chase after this teenage boy. Of course we know that Seth couldn’t possibly be good enough for our spunky and intelligent Hannah, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the fun.
Helen watches Hannah from a distance as the young girl she once knew grows into a beautiful young woman. It breaks her heart to watch Hannah grow up and away, but she understands that it must happen. While we follow Hannah throughout HOW IT ENDS, it’s Helen’s story that really pulls the tension into the book. Helen has a secret, a dark past that she was never able to tell Hannah. Instead, when the girl asks about her past, Helen makes up wonderful and quirky stories about a well adjusted and happy girl. Things couldn’t be farther from the truth though and that truth is slowly eating away at Helen. Deciding that she can no longer live with lying to Hannah, she sets out on a journey to document what really happened and show Hannah who the real Helen is.
Wow; that about sums it up for my feelings of HOW IT ENDS. The story was wonderfully complex, full of subplots and depth. One of my favorite aspects was the twists and turns that the story takes. Wiess does a wonderful job of making the story anything but predictable. One moment we’re expecting Seth to sweep Hannah up into his arms and the next moment he’s nowhere to be seen. The same goes with Helen. Whatever we expect the characters to do, I found that they usually ended up doing something completely different or event would unfold in a different manner. It was nice to be able to read a book and not know what was going on next. With the story within HOW IT ENDS, this was particularly lovely because the emotions were so deep and the feelings so raw; I wanted to get lost within the pages and Wiess allowed that to happen.
The character development in HOW IT ENDS is superb and I think that after reading the prologue, this will be evident to most readers. Wiess doesn’t just tell us all about the characters in the beginning of the book and then throw is into the story; instead, she integrates the character development into the story. We slowly learn about the characters, discovering who they are and what their lives mean. Gradually the characters, especially Helen and Hannah, become a part of us and beings that are so real they may as well step off the page. Wiess’s ability to create real people, real flesh and blood beings out of nothing more than a few black words on a grey page is stunning. I’d heard that she was a fantastic writer and now I’ve see that for myself.
The last thing I’ll discuss, and one of the things that really brought HOW IT ENDS to life for me, was the authenticity of the book. Wiess leaves nothing out in terms of discussing Hannah and her teenage life or Helen and her winter years. Hannah is a realistic teenager with the expectations and attitude that I would expect in a real life teenager. Helen’s life is falling down around her and Wiess doesn’t hide that from us. She allows us to experience firsthand the joys and pains that encompass both lives, giving us a clear picture of who these characters are. Wiess really brought Hannah and Helen’s story to life in a completely believable way and I applaud her for this.
If you couldn’t tell already, I have to give top marks to HOW IT ENDS. With the depth of the story and the way the characters tugged at my heartstrings, it’s a wonder that I’m even typing this review up right now instead of sitting and thumbing back through the pages. What’s best, at 304 pages, HOW IT ENDS is the perfect read to last long enough to get really engrossed in the story but not long enough to wear the reader out. I actually felt a nice sense of completion after finishing the book, even if the story and ending left me thinking for days afterward.
I would recommend this book to any Young Adult readers out there and any readers who want to read a book that really makes you feel good inside. This is a beautiful book and I’m excited to go back and read some of Wiess’s other work.
Hannah is your typical teenager. At the beginning of HOW IT ENDS, Helen tells us all about Hannah as she learned to love the girl and then watched her grow up. Hannah is a sweet girl, good where it counts, but like any typical teenager she does have her rebellious side. Her entire life seems to be focused on the cute and at times charming Seth. From the moment Hannah lays eyes on him, it becomes her mission to attempt to reel him in. Wiess treats us with one hilarious moment after another as we watch Hannah chase after this teenage boy. Of course we know that Seth couldn’t possibly be good enough for our spunky and intelligent Hannah, but that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the fun.
Helen watches Hannah from a distance as the young girl she once knew grows into a beautiful young woman. It breaks her heart to watch Hannah grow up and away, but she understands that it must happen. While we follow Hannah throughout HOW IT ENDS, it’s Helen’s story that really pulls the tension into the book. Helen has a secret, a dark past that she was never able to tell Hannah. Instead, when the girl asks about her past, Helen makes up wonderful and quirky stories about a well adjusted and happy girl. Things couldn’t be farther from the truth though and that truth is slowly eating away at Helen. Deciding that she can no longer live with lying to Hannah, she sets out on a journey to document what really happened and show Hannah who the real Helen is.
Wow; that about sums it up for my feelings of HOW IT ENDS. The story was wonderfully complex, full of subplots and depth. One of my favorite aspects was the twists and turns that the story takes. Wiess does a wonderful job of making the story anything but predictable. One moment we’re expecting Seth to sweep Hannah up into his arms and the next moment he’s nowhere to be seen. The same goes with Helen. Whatever we expect the characters to do, I found that they usually ended up doing something completely different or event would unfold in a different manner. It was nice to be able to read a book and not know what was going on next. With the story within HOW IT ENDS, this was particularly lovely because the emotions were so deep and the feelings so raw; I wanted to get lost within the pages and Wiess allowed that to happen.
The character development in HOW IT ENDS is superb and I think that after reading the prologue, this will be evident to most readers. Wiess doesn’t just tell us all about the characters in the beginning of the book and then throw is into the story; instead, she integrates the character development into the story. We slowly learn about the characters, discovering who they are and what their lives mean. Gradually the characters, especially Helen and Hannah, become a part of us and beings that are so real they may as well step off the page. Wiess’s ability to create real people, real flesh and blood beings out of nothing more than a few black words on a grey page is stunning. I’d heard that she was a fantastic writer and now I’ve see that for myself.
The last thing I’ll discuss, and one of the things that really brought HOW IT ENDS to life for me, was the authenticity of the book. Wiess leaves nothing out in terms of discussing Hannah and her teenage life or Helen and her winter years. Hannah is a realistic teenager with the expectations and attitude that I would expect in a real life teenager. Helen’s life is falling down around her and Wiess doesn’t hide that from us. She allows us to experience firsthand the joys and pains that encompass both lives, giving us a clear picture of who these characters are. Wiess really brought Hannah and Helen’s story to life in a completely believable way and I applaud her for this.
If you couldn’t tell already, I have to give top marks to HOW IT ENDS. With the depth of the story and the way the characters tugged at my heartstrings, it’s a wonder that I’m even typing this review up right now instead of sitting and thumbing back through the pages. What’s best, at 304 pages, HOW IT ENDS is the perfect read to last long enough to get really engrossed in the story but not long enough to wear the reader out. I actually felt a nice sense of completion after finishing the book, even if the story and ending left me thinking for days afterward.
I would recommend this book to any Young Adult readers out there and any readers who want to read a book that really makes you feel good inside. This is a beautiful book and I’m excited to go back and read some of Wiess’s other work.
July 16, 2009
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
HOW IT ENDS is the intertwining story of Hanna and Helen. Next-door neighbors and a generation apart, the two women have a tenuous bond. Helen misses the days when Hanna would come over and stay until she had to go home at night. Hanna is growing up and is more concerned about boys and being popular than spending time with elderly Helen.
When Hanna was little, her parents relied on Helen to keep an eye on her. Hanna's parents were having problems, and Helen and Lon became surrogate grandparents to her. She learned many things from Helen, such as canning, sewing, and an appreciation for the wildlife that lived in their backyards. Hanna kept Helen young, or at least young at heart.
But Helen has kept a secret from Hanna. She's told Hanna the romantic story of how she met and fell in love with Lon. But they're only stories. And as Helen ages, she knows that she has to reveal the truth to Hanna. But how?
Helen is slowly dying. Hanna's school has a community service requirement. To meet the commitment, Hanna gets her school to agree to allow Hanna be an after school assistant to Helen. Helen's illness has become too much for Lon to handle alone. His health is not the best either and everything requires care.
So in the afternoons, when Hanna visits, she and Helen sit and listen to audio books. Helen's illness progresses to the point where she can only blink for yes or no. She encourages Hanna to keep listening to the current book, How It Ends.
The audio book frustrates Hanna with the ups and downs that the main character, Louise, struggles through. It isn't until after the story is over and Hanna is called next door that the true meaning of the audio book is revealed.
HOW IT ENDS was a beautiful story. I took it on vacation with me and one evening, after everyone else had turned in, I sat curled up on the couch and read most of the book in one sitting as a thunderstorm raged outside. By the time I got to the last page, my eyes had welled with tears, and I just sat pondering the book for a while before I could even consider trying to sleep. I love when a book can touch your heart so strongly.
For anyone who enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' THE NOTEBOOK, HOW IT ENDS should not be missed.
HOW IT ENDS is the intertwining story of Hanna and Helen. Next-door neighbors and a generation apart, the two women have a tenuous bond. Helen misses the days when Hanna would come over and stay until she had to go home at night. Hanna is growing up and is more concerned about boys and being popular than spending time with elderly Helen.
When Hanna was little, her parents relied on Helen to keep an eye on her. Hanna's parents were having problems, and Helen and Lon became surrogate grandparents to her. She learned many things from Helen, such as canning, sewing, and an appreciation for the wildlife that lived in their backyards. Hanna kept Helen young, or at least young at heart.
But Helen has kept a secret from Hanna. She's told Hanna the romantic story of how she met and fell in love with Lon. But they're only stories. And as Helen ages, she knows that she has to reveal the truth to Hanna. But how?
Helen is slowly dying. Hanna's school has a community service requirement. To meet the commitment, Hanna gets her school to agree to allow Hanna be an after school assistant to Helen. Helen's illness has become too much for Lon to handle alone. His health is not the best either and everything requires care.
So in the afternoons, when Hanna visits, she and Helen sit and listen to audio books. Helen's illness progresses to the point where she can only blink for yes or no. She encourages Hanna to keep listening to the current book, How It Ends.
The audio book frustrates Hanna with the ups and downs that the main character, Louise, struggles through. It isn't until after the story is over and Hanna is called next door that the true meaning of the audio book is revealed.
HOW IT ENDS was a beautiful story. I took it on vacation with me and one evening, after everyone else had turned in, I sat curled up on the couch and read most of the book in one sitting as a thunderstorm raged outside. By the time I got to the last page, my eyes had welled with tears, and I just sat pondering the book for a while before I could even consider trying to sleep. I love when a book can touch your heart so strongly.
For anyone who enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' THE NOTEBOOK, HOW IT ENDS should not be missed.
February 8, 2017
Wow, this book is so beautiful. I honestly had no expectations for this book but it blew me away. This was my first book by Laura Wiess and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future.
I'll start off with the few little things that annoyed me. First of all, Hannah irritated me. She was so self-centred and immature and her obsession with Seth drove me crazy. Then again when I thought about it, I probably would have been the exact same at 15 so there is that. Although she annoyed me, she was a very real character. None of Wiess's characters felt one-dimensional, they were all very very well done. Even though Hannah annoyed me, this story was definitely still worth the read. The other thing that annoyed me was Wiess's writing sometimes. Sometimes instead of just saying stuff straight out, she would explain things in roundabout ways. This confused me and I had to reread quite a few passages. Apart from that, I did like her writing. It was really gripping and I think she's a good storyteller.
I really liked the messages I got from the novel. The first message was about love. Hannah was clearly in a toxic relationship with Seth and instead of seeing him for the douche he was, she romanticised the idea of being in a relationship with a gorgeous broken guy. Everything he did was bad but she switched it around to make him seem lovely. I hope younger people reading this see that their relationship was not ideal. The love story between Helen and Lon was beautiful. It was like a fairytale kind of romance. I hope younger people see that maybe you won't get a relationship like Helen and Lon's, you shouldn't be in a relationship like Seth and Hannah's but you could be in a relationship like the one Hannah's parents had. I think that was a good example of a realistic couple that were in love. I also liked the message that we never 100% know people. A lot of the time we only see the tip of the iceberg.
The best thing about this book was the story on the audiobook. It was just so gripping, shocking and intense. Helen and Lon's love story made this book so much better. The ending was tragic and beautiful and it got a few tears from me. I would recommend this to everyone, you won't regret it because it's a beautiful book.
I'll start off with the few little things that annoyed me. First of all, Hannah irritated me. She was so self-centred and immature and her obsession with Seth drove me crazy. Then again when I thought about it, I probably would have been the exact same at 15 so there is that. Although she annoyed me, she was a very real character. None of Wiess's characters felt one-dimensional, they were all very very well done. Even though Hannah annoyed me, this story was definitely still worth the read. The other thing that annoyed me was Wiess's writing sometimes. Sometimes instead of just saying stuff straight out, she would explain things in roundabout ways. This confused me and I had to reread quite a few passages. Apart from that, I did like her writing. It was really gripping and I think she's a good storyteller.
I really liked the messages I got from the novel. The first message was about love. Hannah was clearly in a toxic relationship with Seth and instead of seeing him for the douche he was, she romanticised the idea of being in a relationship with a gorgeous broken guy. Everything he did was bad but she switched it around to make him seem lovely. I hope younger people reading this see that their relationship was not ideal. The love story between Helen and Lon was beautiful. It was like a fairytale kind of romance. I hope younger people see that maybe you won't get a relationship like Helen and Lon's, you shouldn't be in a relationship like Seth and Hannah's but you could be in a relationship like the one Hannah's parents had. I think that was a good example of a realistic couple that were in love. I also liked the message that we never 100% know people. A lot of the time we only see the tip of the iceberg.
The best thing about this book was the story on the audiobook. It was just so gripping, shocking and intense. Helen and Lon's love story made this book so much better. The ending was tragic and beautiful and it got a few tears from me. I would recommend this to everyone, you won't regret it because it's a beautiful book.
March 11, 2019
From a traditional review standpoint, this was an incredibly realistic portrayal of teenage emotions and relationships, and it was a wonderful story of generational friendship.
On a personal note, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to put it into words how much this book affected me. I’ve owned it for upwards of 10 years, almost gave it away a few weeks ago, but decided to read the first few chapter on a whim.
The universe knew I needed this.
The main character, Hanna, a young teenager dealing with ups and downs of average teenage life, is also incredibly close with her Gran (who isn’t really her grandma, but she’s her Gran anyway). Gran is soon diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
I have a Gran who is not really my grandma but who is my Gran, who has been battling Parkinson’s for twelve years.
I cried a lot reading this book and it hit so close to home. I’m so glad the universe told me to read this.
On a personal note, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to put it into words how much this book affected me. I’ve owned it for upwards of 10 years, almost gave it away a few weeks ago, but decided to read the first few chapter on a whim.
The universe knew I needed this.
The main character, Hanna, a young teenager dealing with ups and downs of average teenage life, is also incredibly close with her Gran (who isn’t really her grandma, but she’s her Gran anyway). Gran is soon diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
I have a Gran who is not really my grandma but who is my Gran, who has been battling Parkinson’s for twelve years.
I cried a lot reading this book and it hit so close to home. I’m so glad the universe told me to read this.
May 16, 2010
I warmed to Helen right away - I mean how could you not love Helen, she is just so lovable! I was slightly overwhelmed at first. I was just a few pages in and all the mushy feelings were already rushing in.
Maybe it was the way she talked about Hannah because it was quite touching since it was so obvious how much she loved her: how afraid she was of loosing her.
Hannah is at that stage in her life where being seen with your grandma and parents isn’t exactly “very cool”. She is growing up and wants to be more independent and have more space and privacy.
Helen notices this, the new reluctance of her grand-daughter in wanting to meet her, and as much as she keeps it inside it’s obvious that it hurts her to notice this. Saying that, she is not biologically Hannah’s grandma, but was her parents neighbour. At a time when her parents were having difficulties and their relationship was under a lot of strain her parents found themselves dropping their daughter of over at Helen’s and her husband house and overtime the three developed a deep bond. Soon enough, she pays so many visits that the couple becomes a second family to her. Ever since. She has thought of Helen as her grandma. Someone she can turn to in time of need. Until now, of course. With school, boys and friend drama taking over she has lost track of the relationship she had with the women who she held so dear once upon a time.
One of the main reasons may be due to Hannah pining over bad boy Seth. I could tell straight away as soon as he was introduced that he wasn't for her. First of all he didn't even know she existed, not to mention he was a jerk. For him to notice her she didn't exactly act in the most dignifying of ways. Whilst Hannah is having boy problems what she doesn't know is that her Helen has Parkinson's, and it wont be before long she’ll loose function of speech, movement, and soon enough will not be able to function at all. Knowing this and the fact that she has told Hannah a complete lie on how she and Lon first met resulting Hannah to believe in Happily Ever Afters she decides Hannah needs to know the truth, and so begins the real story in which she tells through audiotape which is far from a happily ever after.
This novel is far from cheerful but that is why I choose. I was so sick of happy endings, I wanted something realistic and after reading the synopsis I knew this book was exactly what I was looking for. This novel, if anything, is very realistic. Maybe that's what makes the odd parts that wouldn't normally get me emotional do just that.
Lon and Helen are just so perfect for each other. The circumstances in which they meet are horrific though. The things that they have both been through are so tragic, but if there is one thing that came good out of any of it, it was them meeting each other. Their love is so strong and real that I genuinely believe if they could both erase their past, but only on the terms they would never meet they would never do it because their love and dedication to each other is just that strong.
Now let’s talk about Mr gorgeous Jesse! Holy crappers who knew dudes with dreadlocks could be so hot? *sighs* I knew I was going to like him very very much as soon as Hannah laid eyes on him. I was grinning ear to ear right alongside her! He made a long lasting impression on me and that is hard to do. Not only was he smexy but everything about him was just sheer perfection. Swoon worthy, caring, sweet and protective. DREAM GUY FO SURE.
On that note let me share a little something that happened shortly after finishing the book. I was out shopping and walked by this Herbal Tea store (well it was something like that anyway) OHMYGOSH, wait, I just realised he obviously likes Tea too. Nooooooo *dies* so, anyway, I noticed this very, very HOT guy with dreadlocks. FATE OR DESTINY I ask you! Anyway *cough* I stood here kind of mesmerised and confused, mesmerised and confused and then stood there some more, until I realised he could like turn around any moment and that would not be so good. So I sighed a little - tried to wipe the smirk of my face and walked away. I know how lame. I let awesome, smexy dreadlock dude go, *cries* I have a feeling Hanna would not be very impressed with me!
Back to the book, so her being with this jerk of a lad made me think. Why the hell are you with Seth, dopey?! Have you lost it? Here is this gorgeous man standing right in front of you, and there you are swooning after sleazy, inconsiderate and lame Seth. I couldn't stand the boy. Not only was he horrible and completely played mind games with her, but he didn’t even have the decency to tell her straight up that he didn’t have feelings for her. He’s the kind of boy that mothers and fathers dread their daughters meeting. The kind that take what they want, watch you cry, shrivel up, and make you beg whilst they point the finger, laugh and spread rumours. It kind of made me think, well hey, maybe she doesn’t deserve Jesse after all!
The ending was completely unexpected, and left me dumbfounded and slightly lost. The kind of ending which just makes you want to give yourself a moment, maybe hours to pull yourself together. Where you’re overwhelmed by sadness days after. I was so upset and shocked by the ending that I didn’t know what to do with myself. Yet it was done in such a way that I could accept it even though I hated that it had to happen. Hannah and Helen were definitely favourites of mine alongside Jesse. After considering previous books I had read I realise what a gem this books really is. The kind that I am now willing to read anything by the author because it is just that damn fantastic!
Maybe it was the way she talked about Hannah because it was quite touching since it was so obvious how much she loved her: how afraid she was of loosing her.
Hannah is at that stage in her life where being seen with your grandma and parents isn’t exactly “very cool”. She is growing up and wants to be more independent and have more space and privacy.
Helen notices this, the new reluctance of her grand-daughter in wanting to meet her, and as much as she keeps it inside it’s obvious that it hurts her to notice this. Saying that, she is not biologically Hannah’s grandma, but was her parents neighbour. At a time when her parents were having difficulties and their relationship was under a lot of strain her parents found themselves dropping their daughter of over at Helen’s and her husband house and overtime the three developed a deep bond. Soon enough, she pays so many visits that the couple becomes a second family to her. Ever since. She has thought of Helen as her grandma. Someone she can turn to in time of need. Until now, of course. With school, boys and friend drama taking over she has lost track of the relationship she had with the women who she held so dear once upon a time.
One of the main reasons may be due to Hannah pining over bad boy Seth. I could tell straight away as soon as he was introduced that he wasn't for her. First of all he didn't even know she existed, not to mention he was a jerk. For him to notice her she didn't exactly act in the most dignifying of ways. Whilst Hannah is having boy problems what she doesn't know is that her Helen has Parkinson's, and it wont be before long she’ll loose function of speech, movement, and soon enough will not be able to function at all. Knowing this and the fact that she has told Hannah a complete lie on how she and Lon first met resulting Hannah to believe in Happily Ever Afters she decides Hannah needs to know the truth, and so begins the real story in which she tells through audiotape which is far from a happily ever after.
This novel is far from cheerful but that is why I choose. I was so sick of happy endings, I wanted something realistic and after reading the synopsis I knew this book was exactly what I was looking for. This novel, if anything, is very realistic. Maybe that's what makes the odd parts that wouldn't normally get me emotional do just that.
Lon and Helen are just so perfect for each other. The circumstances in which they meet are horrific though. The things that they have both been through are so tragic, but if there is one thing that came good out of any of it, it was them meeting each other. Their love is so strong and real that I genuinely believe if they could both erase their past, but only on the terms they would never meet they would never do it because their love and dedication to each other is just that strong.
Now let’s talk about Mr gorgeous Jesse! Holy crappers who knew dudes with dreadlocks could be so hot? *sighs* I knew I was going to like him very very much as soon as Hannah laid eyes on him. I was grinning ear to ear right alongside her! He made a long lasting impression on me and that is hard to do. Not only was he smexy but everything about him was just sheer perfection. Swoon worthy, caring, sweet and protective. DREAM GUY FO SURE.
On that note let me share a little something that happened shortly after finishing the book. I was out shopping and walked by this Herbal Tea store (well it was something like that anyway) OHMYGOSH, wait, I just realised he obviously likes Tea too. Nooooooo *dies* so, anyway, I noticed this very, very HOT guy with dreadlocks. FATE OR DESTINY I ask you! Anyway *cough* I stood here kind of mesmerised and confused, mesmerised and confused and then stood there some more, until I realised he could like turn around any moment and that would not be so good. So I sighed a little - tried to wipe the smirk of my face and walked away. I know how lame. I let awesome, smexy dreadlock dude go, *cries* I have a feeling Hanna would not be very impressed with me!
Back to the book, so her being with this jerk of a lad made me think. Why the hell are you with Seth, dopey?! Have you lost it? Here is this gorgeous man standing right in front of you, and there you are swooning after sleazy, inconsiderate and lame Seth. I couldn't stand the boy. Not only was he horrible and completely played mind games with her, but he didn’t even have the decency to tell her straight up that he didn’t have feelings for her. He’s the kind of boy that mothers and fathers dread their daughters meeting. The kind that take what they want, watch you cry, shrivel up, and make you beg whilst they point the finger, laugh and spread rumours. It kind of made me think, well hey, maybe she doesn’t deserve Jesse after all!
The ending was completely unexpected, and left me dumbfounded and slightly lost. The kind of ending which just makes you want to give yourself a moment, maybe hours to pull yourself together. Where you’re overwhelmed by sadness days after. I was so upset and shocked by the ending that I didn’t know what to do with myself. Yet it was done in such a way that I could accept it even though I hated that it had to happen. Hannah and Helen were definitely favourites of mine alongside Jesse. After considering previous books I had read I realise what a gem this books really is. The kind that I am now willing to read anything by the author because it is just that damn fantastic!
August 20, 2009
Hanna has finally got everything she could ever want. Really awesome friends and the boy of her dreams. Now why does it seem like it's not what she wanted?
Hanna loves her high school life with Seth as her boyfriend and her two best friends are great, especially because they all get along so well. Seth may not be the perfect boyfriend but he is what Hanna wants. At least until she meets Jesse, a misunderstood motorcyclist who can't seem to forget her and who manages to make her smile every time she sees him.
Hanna has a great family which includes her neighbors Helen and Lon. They are basically her grandparents. When Helen becomes ill in Hanna's sophomore year of high school things begin to change. Seth starts treating her badly and nobody can seem to understand what Hanna feels about Helen's illness. Things get even worse when Hanna is drawn into the story in the audiobook that Helen is listening to.
Hanna knows that Helen's life isn't how she would want to be living it but is there really anything that she can do? And does Hanna really want to put up with all the bullshit and lies that Seth keeps telling her or could Jesse possibly be the one for her?
How It Ends is one of the best books I have ever read. When I read Laura Wiess' Such A Pretty Girl I thought it was great and that her other books couldn't top it but I was so wrong. How It Ends just blew me away and let me tell you, how the story ended was not expected.
Hanna was a very likable character and I loved how the story was told from her perspective and Helen's, at least in the beginning. You could really feel the love that was shared between them and how much they truly meant to each other. Also, I loved the story of the audiobook. I was shocked at the story but it truly made the book fantastic.
Also, I couldn't stand Seth and I couldn't believe that Hanna put up with him. He was such a dick and it was so obvious from the very beginning. I just hated how Hanna fell for him and let him ruin her life. I thought that Jesse was amazing but he wasn't in the book that much. I wish he had been and that is my only complaint about the book. He just made me laugh and he seemed like the perfect guy.
While How It Ends isn't exactly a happy book, it is a spectacular one. It made me laugh, cry, and gasp from surprise. I recommend this book for anyone, even adults. I'm actually thinking about making my mom read it just so I can talk to her about it. It's one of those books that you just want to chat about afterward. If you haven't read any of Laura Wiess' books, this one is the perfect place to start.
Hanna loves her high school life with Seth as her boyfriend and her two best friends are great, especially because they all get along so well. Seth may not be the perfect boyfriend but he is what Hanna wants. At least until she meets Jesse, a misunderstood motorcyclist who can't seem to forget her and who manages to make her smile every time she sees him.
Hanna has a great family which includes her neighbors Helen and Lon. They are basically her grandparents. When Helen becomes ill in Hanna's sophomore year of high school things begin to change. Seth starts treating her badly and nobody can seem to understand what Hanna feels about Helen's illness. Things get even worse when Hanna is drawn into the story in the audiobook that Helen is listening to.
Hanna knows that Helen's life isn't how she would want to be living it but is there really anything that she can do? And does Hanna really want to put up with all the bullshit and lies that Seth keeps telling her or could Jesse possibly be the one for her?
How It Ends is one of the best books I have ever read. When I read Laura Wiess' Such A Pretty Girl I thought it was great and that her other books couldn't top it but I was so wrong. How It Ends just blew me away and let me tell you, how the story ended was not expected.
Hanna was a very likable character and I loved how the story was told from her perspective and Helen's, at least in the beginning. You could really feel the love that was shared between them and how much they truly meant to each other. Also, I loved the story of the audiobook. I was shocked at the story but it truly made the book fantastic.
Also, I couldn't stand Seth and I couldn't believe that Hanna put up with him. He was such a dick and it was so obvious from the very beginning. I just hated how Hanna fell for him and let him ruin her life. I thought that Jesse was amazing but he wasn't in the book that much. I wish he had been and that is my only complaint about the book. He just made me laugh and he seemed like the perfect guy.
While How It Ends isn't exactly a happy book, it is a spectacular one. It made me laugh, cry, and gasp from surprise. I recommend this book for anyone, even adults. I'm actually thinking about making my mom read it just so I can talk to her about it. It's one of those books that you just want to chat about afterward. If you haven't read any of Laura Wiess' books, this one is the perfect place to start.
August 20, 2009
"I would not willingly peel back the scar tissue protecting the deepest chambers of my heart and reveal the bruised hollows pooled with the blood of old wounds---the terror that just thinking about it---but now, facing darkness I am left with no choice. I love you, and because of that I am going to try and raise the dead." ---Louise Bell Closson
This is one of the most haunting books I've read this year. The twists and turns will keep you wondering from the minute you start reading this book until you know How It Ends.
I was intrigued most about Laura Wiess's use of an audiobook within a book. There were times I became confused about which story we were on but it all ties in together. I've never read a book even remotely close to this and really enjoyed it!
Hanna is your almost typical teenager. She thinks Seth is the bomb diggity and can't imagine her life without him. She also thinks a lot of her neighbor, Gran. As she grows older, Hanna spends less and less time with Gran, which causes a lot of heartache on both sides. I found myself feeling sorry for Gran and her loneliness. A school project helps Hanna to find her way back into spending more time with Gran and learning more about her life growing up.
I found myself at times not wanting to know how this book would end. I laughed, I wanted to throw the book at certain characters, and I bawled like a baby. I believe I may have experience every imaginable emotion during my reading of this book.
It is written for young adults but I know that "older" adults would enjoy it just as well, if not more so. I do rate this book PG-13 for some very strong language and some suggestive scenes. I don't guess I recognized that this was a YA book until I was reading the author's interview and the discussion questions.
Be patient while reading this book (it's hard to do in this one with all the twists and turns!) and by the end, you will know How It Ends. Like it, love it, or hate it, the book does end!
Thanks to Sarah at Pocket Books for providing this copy for review.
This is one of the most haunting books I've read this year. The twists and turns will keep you wondering from the minute you start reading this book until you know How It Ends.
I was intrigued most about Laura Wiess's use of an audiobook within a book. There were times I became confused about which story we were on but it all ties in together. I've never read a book even remotely close to this and really enjoyed it!
Hanna is your almost typical teenager. She thinks Seth is the bomb diggity and can't imagine her life without him. She also thinks a lot of her neighbor, Gran. As she grows older, Hanna spends less and less time with Gran, which causes a lot of heartache on both sides. I found myself feeling sorry for Gran and her loneliness. A school project helps Hanna to find her way back into spending more time with Gran and learning more about her life growing up.
I found myself at times not wanting to know how this book would end. I laughed, I wanted to throw the book at certain characters, and I bawled like a baby. I believe I may have experience every imaginable emotion during my reading of this book.
It is written for young adults but I know that "older" adults would enjoy it just as well, if not more so. I do rate this book PG-13 for some very strong language and some suggestive scenes. I don't guess I recognized that this was a YA book until I was reading the author's interview and the discussion questions.
Be patient while reading this book (it's hard to do in this one with all the twists and turns!) and by the end, you will know How It Ends. Like it, love it, or hate it, the book does end!
Thanks to Sarah at Pocket Books for providing this copy for review.
September 28, 2012
While I kind of want to know how it ends (and if you want to spoil this for me, please do), I can't bring myself to finish it. I got 184 pages and once the audiobook started I couldn't do it anymore.
Hanna is not a likable main character. It seemed to me like her only interests were flirting and partying with her friends. Sure, she hung out with her grandparents, but that's relatively normal as well. I mean, couldn't she had one genuine interest like art or a sport or something? I'd hardly say spending time with Helen and Lon counted because she had to do it for school. I also was not a fan of Seth--it felt like he just used her. My problem with Hanna was that she realized she was making bad decisions but did it anyways.
Like I said, I stopped when I got to the audiobook part, I stopped. It didn't feel like a storyline that would interest teens unless they were heavily interested in the story. I skimmed a few chapters and it seemed like it just got really odd.
One of the biggest problems I had with this book is that Helen's story reads like an adult novel, except sometimes it seemed as though she acted like a teenager. I just can't figure out why Weiss chose to put these stories together.
Someone who likes Hanna a bit more might get really into this book, but I didn't want to keep reading for over a hundred more pages, and that is How It Ends between this novel and me.
Hanna is not a likable main character. It seemed to me like her only interests were flirting and partying with her friends. Sure, she hung out with her grandparents, but that's relatively normal as well. I mean, couldn't she had one genuine interest like art or a sport or something? I'd hardly say spending time with Helen and Lon counted because she had to do it for school. I also was not a fan of Seth--it felt like he just used her. My problem with Hanna was that she realized she was making bad decisions but did it anyways.
Like I said, I stopped when I got to the audiobook part, I stopped. It didn't feel like a storyline that would interest teens unless they were heavily interested in the story. I skimmed a few chapters and it seemed like it just got really odd.
One of the biggest problems I had with this book is that Helen's story reads like an adult novel, except sometimes it seemed as though she acted like a teenager. I just can't figure out why Weiss chose to put these stories together.
Someone who likes Hanna a bit more might get really into this book, but I didn't want to keep reading for over a hundred more pages, and that is How It Ends between this novel and me.
June 28, 2016
GRADE: B-
ONE WORD: Sad
Hanna has a special relationship with her neighbor, Helen, whom she calls Gran, though the teen spends less time with Gran now that she's interested in bad boy Seth. Told from the alternating POVs of both Helen and Hanna, the older woman tries to impart a lifetime of wisdom in the younger.
HOW IT ENDS is a difficult book to recap and review. I had a hard time understanding how Hanna, who grew up feeling loved and witnessing her parents' healthy marriage, would fall for a guy like Seth who treated her with such utter disregard. She didn't appear to lack self esteem, had a few close friends and a lot going for her. I wished she realized how much more she deserved. Helen was simply wonderful, every child should grow up with the unconditional love of a Gran.
I enjoy reading Laura Wiess's novels; she's a talented writer. Her books make me think. The pace of HOW IT ENDS was a bit slow for me. I loved the multigenerational relationship aspect, but some of the animal abuse, though not graphic and only hinted at, turned me off. I'm not sure what type readers would enjoy this story for a recommendation, it's not for everyone. I doubt it's a reread for me, but I'm glad I did read it once.
ONE WORD: Sad
Hanna has a special relationship with her neighbor, Helen, whom she calls Gran, though the teen spends less time with Gran now that she's interested in bad boy Seth. Told from the alternating POVs of both Helen and Hanna, the older woman tries to impart a lifetime of wisdom in the younger.
HOW IT ENDS is a difficult book to recap and review. I had a hard time understanding how Hanna, who grew up feeling loved and witnessing her parents' healthy marriage, would fall for a guy like Seth who treated her with such utter disregard. She didn't appear to lack self esteem, had a few close friends and a lot going for her. I wished she realized how much more she deserved. Helen was simply wonderful, every child should grow up with the unconditional love of a Gran.
I enjoy reading Laura Wiess's novels; she's a talented writer. Her books make me think. The pace of HOW IT ENDS was a bit slow for me. I loved the multigenerational relationship aspect, but some of the animal abuse, though not graphic and only hinted at, turned me off. I'm not sure what type readers would enjoy this story for a recommendation, it's not for everyone. I doubt it's a reread for me, but I'm glad I did read it once.
August 17, 2010
Ages 13+ (a few vivid sex scenes, language, drinking and drug use, dark themes)
I'd been meaning to pick up How It Ends since our library first received its copy, whenever that was, but I never seemed to be in the right mood. The mood struck, and I'm glad it did. I have never once been disappointed by one of Laura Wiess' books. Disturbed, yes. Haunted, certainly. Heartbroken, at times. But not disappointed.
Hanna is in love with Seth, who Jordan Catalanos all over the place with her heart. Gran Helen is slowly succumbing to Parkinsons. But she wants to clear up the lies she has told Hanna about her life. With Gran foreseeing her own decline, she has written out her true story and had it recorded as an audiobook. Finally at the point where she is unable to speak, she and Hanna listen to the tragic story together - Hanna unaware that it is her Gran's story that she is hearing.
Your heart will crumble into a million zillion pieces by the end of this book and you will sniffle into tissues as it builds to its climax. So sad, so real. Another one that will keep you up reading when you should be sleeping.
I'd been meaning to pick up How It Ends since our library first received its copy, whenever that was, but I never seemed to be in the right mood. The mood struck, and I'm glad it did. I have never once been disappointed by one of Laura Wiess' books. Disturbed, yes. Haunted, certainly. Heartbroken, at times. But not disappointed.
Hanna is in love with Seth, who Jordan Catalanos all over the place with her heart. Gran Helen is slowly succumbing to Parkinsons. But she wants to clear up the lies she has told Hanna about her life. With Gran foreseeing her own decline, she has written out her true story and had it recorded as an audiobook. Finally at the point where she is unable to speak, she and Hanna listen to the tragic story together - Hanna unaware that it is her Gran's story that she is hearing.
Your heart will crumble into a million zillion pieces by the end of this book and you will sniffle into tissues as it builds to its climax. So sad, so real. Another one that will keep you up reading when you should be sleeping.
May 22, 2017
I forgot how it felt to be a teenager. This book made me remember, Hanna made me remember all those feelings and confusion about love and life.
While reading I was a bit confused about the audiobook but then towards the end I did understood why. My hear broke for Louise and Peter. They both had a hard life but I'm glad they found eachother.
Also Hanna, I'm happy that she found her strength and confidence to do what was best for her.
While reading I was a bit confused about the audiobook but then towards the end I did understood why. My hear broke for Louise and Peter. They both had a hard life but I'm glad they found eachother.
Also Hanna, I'm happy that she found her strength and confidence to do what was best for her.
December 19, 2017
I have read the book How it Ends by Laura Wiess. This book was a tragic and twisted tale of the struggle of youth, and the significance of innocence. It is an excellent read and is a good love story. The book was published on -. - by Wiess who also wrote Such a Pretty Girl and Ordinary Beauty. [the author's] style in this book was realistic, complex, and her writing constantly challenged one’s ideas. How it Ends was a romantic novel, telling the story of an old woman from the perspective of a young girl, Hanna. As Hanna makes mistakes herself, she reveals more of the old woman’s past.
The characters are somewhat well developed. The main characters are relatable, accurate, and easy to understand. The background characters are sometimes harder to comprehend, with underdeveloped characteristics. Although, it was so easy to connect and relate to the main character Hanna, so her choices both anger and please the reader as if she were their friend. Some traits of characters were a bit cliche and needed to be more original.
The plot was probably the best part of this book. It was engaging and uniquely displayed. It took many twists and turns that were completely unexpected and makes the reader want to keep reading. It was hard to put down. At first, some parts of the story seemed far-fetched, but as the reader goes on, it becomes very real and understandable. Although, it was hard to know the setting sometimes.
In the book, Hanna has an emotionally abusive relationship with a boy. This reminded me of a woman speaker that came to my health class. The speaker continually spoke on the red flags of a abusive relationship, stating what characteristics made an abusive dominant in a relationship, or as she said a “taker”. As I read the book I continued thinking of these red flags, reading as Hanna declined into an emotional wreck.
I would compare this work to Romeo and Juliet. Like Romeo and Juliet, it seems like the main character's situation continues to decline as you read. Not only that but both also have elements of forbidden love between characters.
This story had many morals. One of the most important of those morals was that no one should ever be afraid or ashamed of who they are and that they should stay true to themselves. Both protagonists of the book had to deal with this head-on and learned that they only way out, is through.
I would recommend this for someone who enjoys romances, yet wants some more excitement and depth. The book would most likely appeal to females, considering both protagonists are women. It is a less small and short read that is not very challenging, so it is great for recreational reading.
The characters are somewhat well developed. The main characters are relatable, accurate, and easy to understand. The background characters are sometimes harder to comprehend, with underdeveloped characteristics. Although, it was so easy to connect and relate to the main character Hanna, so her choices both anger and please the reader as if she were their friend. Some traits of characters were a bit cliche and needed to be more original.
The plot was probably the best part of this book. It was engaging and uniquely displayed. It took many twists and turns that were completely unexpected and makes the reader want to keep reading. It was hard to put down. At first, some parts of the story seemed far-fetched, but as the reader goes on, it becomes very real and understandable. Although, it was hard to know the setting sometimes.
In the book, Hanna has an emotionally abusive relationship with a boy. This reminded me of a woman speaker that came to my health class. The speaker continually spoke on the red flags of a abusive relationship, stating what characteristics made an abusive dominant in a relationship, or as she said a “taker”. As I read the book I continued thinking of these red flags, reading as Hanna declined into an emotional wreck.
I would compare this work to Romeo and Juliet. Like Romeo and Juliet, it seems like the main character's situation continues to decline as you read. Not only that but both also have elements of forbidden love between characters.
This story had many morals. One of the most important of those morals was that no one should ever be afraid or ashamed of who they are and that they should stay true to themselves. Both protagonists of the book had to deal with this head-on and learned that they only way out, is through.
I would recommend this for someone who enjoys romances, yet wants some more excitement and depth. The book would most likely appeal to females, considering both protagonists are women. It is a less small and short read that is not very challenging, so it is great for recreational reading.
March 8, 2019
Intense, some parts are even beautiful, but as a whole, this book is too much of mishmash for me.
I don't really like Hanna and her destructive behaviors. I also miss directness in the story, as most of the events are told after-the-fact. If I wasn't curious about the big secret, I think I might even have DNF-ed this book. I am glad I persisted because although the ending is heart-wrenching, it's also satisfying.
I don't really like Hanna and her destructive behaviors. I also miss directness in the story, as most of the events are told after-the-fact. If I wasn't curious about the big secret, I think I might even have DNF-ed this book. I am glad I persisted because although the ending is heart-wrenching, it's also satisfying.
August 19, 2022
I enjoyed reading the story from the perspective of both main characters-you could feel their personalities throughout the book. The descriptions threw me into the scenes of this story and I couldn’t stop turning the page. My emotions ranged from happy, sad, frustrated and devastated.
Enjoyed this quick read !
Enjoyed this quick read !
January 13, 2026
I first read this book about 15 years ago. I recently went through my books again and wanted to re-read this one as I remember it was the first book to ever make me cry.
This book starts out kind of slow & honestly going in, I was trying to remember why I loved it. However, the end is everything. That’s all I’ll say. 🥹
This book starts out kind of slow & honestly going in, I was trying to remember why I loved it. However, the end is everything. That’s all I’ll say. 🥹
January 18, 2022
This is the third novel I've read by Laura Wiess and I've thoroughly enjoyed each of them. How It Ends is quite dark and I feel like I need to read some Berenstain Bears to rejuvenate my spirits but it was well worth the shadow on my mood. There are two concurrent story lines. One is young love and the other is a love story based on secrets and tragedy.
September 23, 2023
DNF at 35%
I know exactly how this is going to go so there’s no point in finishing it. I loved both of Laura Wiess’s previous books, but this one is just not for me. Having to follow a toxic couple who constantly do things to make the other jealous instead of just admitting they like each other is exhausting. Also, Hanna is being incredibly rude to the people who actually care about and love her all for some guy who treats her like garbage. Life’s too short to have to read yet another angsty YA immature ‘romance’.
I know exactly how this is going to go so there’s no point in finishing it. I loved both of Laura Wiess’s previous books, but this one is just not for me. Having to follow a toxic couple who constantly do things to make the other jealous instead of just admitting they like each other is exhausting. Also, Hanna is being incredibly rude to the people who actually care about and love her all for some guy who treats her like garbage. Life’s too short to have to read yet another angsty YA immature ‘romance’.
July 16, 2017
actual rating: 4.5 stars
eeeeeeeeee this is one rollercoaster ride of a novel. it began kind of drab but it ended up breaking my heart!!! would recommend.
eeeeeeeeee this is one rollercoaster ride of a novel. it began kind of drab but it ended up breaking my heart!!! would recommend.
July 2, 2017
Wow. This book was so emotional and so beautiful and so stark and so sad. It was gritty and real and absolutely heartbreaking. It was the story of love in all of its forms, and of loss in may of them. It was the story of growth and change and beginnings and ends.
May 5, 2019
Wow. It’s so funny I didn’t hate Hanna I love her her voice the way she’s written is just so... like petty teenager but like ACCURATE teenager I love how she loves nature like me I don’t GET her obsession with Seth but like emotions are weird and teens make stupid decisions but they just felt real even if so unlike me I love how throughout any awesome feminist messaging wasn’t FORCED it just MADE SO MUCH SENSE this book was SO PAINFUL Helen and Lon are so sweet I love Helen god the audiobook part was awful this book is SO *hits you right there*
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July 24, 2012it feels SO good to know that i love this just as much as i did those years back. so good.
we follow our protagonist, hanna, obsessing over bad boy seth. now you know he's trouble from day one. he leads her on time and time again and hanna for some reason just can't get the gist that he's bad news. she ignores her mates sammi's advice and continues on pursuing him. but if only she knew what she was getting herself into..
the narrative switches from hanna and her grandma (not biologically). she took her in ever since her parents were going through a rough patch and she has always seen her as a mother figure. but now that hanna is growing up, school life drama has got in the way and finds herself wanting to go visit helen and her husband lon less and less. and it's pretty heart-breaking really. you see through helen's eyes as she struggles with losing hanna. and although she notices that she is growing and turning into a woman, she doesn't know what to do to get the old eager, warm hanna that she once held such a strong bond with. and seeing things through her eyes makes it very easy to be frustrated at hanna. because once you realise that helen has parkinson's and that she is getting weaker and weaker, you want to shake hanna, tell her to get the hell over herself and run over to the woman who needs her now more than ever. but you can't. and you're left with this idiot of a girl who makes one mistake after the other.
and i get that's a part of life: the mistakes. but hanna manages to make hers so often, so easily and so annoyingly that you want to slap some sense into her. she keeps on pursuing seth time and time again. no matter how much he degrades her, is a prick to her or insults her. it actually came to a point where she disgusted me. it really was a matter of how much self respect do you even have to be treated like shit SO MANY TIMES and to still keep running to him. i mean, when will you get the hint? when you see him with someone else with your very eyes. or will you still be in denial? god help you woman.
we then have the charming jesse. ahh jesse. he is someone who is so bloody easy to love. every time he was around i just couldn't stop grinning. the moments him and hanna had together seemed just so right, so perfect that i kept wondering what in the world she was waiting for. how she can not see what a person who cares for you should be like when she is with jesse? it was this dude that made dreadlocks the most sexy thing ever!
in contrasts to hanna's boy filled drama life, helen, in comparison, is a tough one to read about. her story is filled with bleakness and heart-wrenching moments. the things that she has to go through. man i don't even know. how do you come out of that OK? but her memories of her and lon are the most beautiful thing about this book. to see that kind of deep love between them, despite the circumstances it came about, and to see it just as strong in the present is all kinds of inspiring.
although i was frustrated at times at hanna, it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. and i guess i have to remember that she is just 15. she is young and naive and immature. although it takes a while, she does grow. it happens. i just have to keep in mind to remind myself of those things. overall HOW IT ENDS was just as beautiful as i remembered it. although i didn't remember more of the sexual bits. maybe because at the time i didn't know what half of the things were referring to. hahaha!
i have to say that i am a definite fan of this authors work. she has proved to me in this book and in SUCH A PRETTY GIRL that she isn't afraid to tackle the more nitty gritty issues. and when it comes to the more sexual scenes, i like how she delves a little deeper but at the same time seems to knows how much is too much and what works for her characters. her portrayal of sadness, grief, and how the past can really haunt you is done so beautifully. and at the same time, somehow she manages to balance the good moments with the bad. because although the book can get depressing at times there are still those grin worthy/swoon-y and funny moments to lighten up the mood.
December 22, 2009
Heartrending, catastrophically beautiful. I am once again completely in awe of Wiess' writing. She pulls in so many different elements in this book and entwines them faultlessly. This story not only tells a modern tale of a high school girl in love but the tragic history of a young couple, brought together by horrific circumstances yet still finding an endless love. There is a story within the story- the audiobook that captivates Hanna and in so many ways, that tale is even better than Hanna's. The reason it exists in this book is ingenious and I found myself just as eager to hear more of it as Hanna became.
The writing is astounding and the plot heartfelt. The effort and thought Wiess put into this story is very clear and as with her debut novel Such A Pretty Girl, my emotions were strung along on a twisting, turning extensive roller coaster. Shock coursed through me more than once but towards the end with the most impact. In many ways, I should have seen that end coming but I became so lost in the story- so engrossed in what was happening right then- I put no thought in what was going to happen in the coming 30, 20, 10 pages.
There are a multitude of questions about a range of topics that are brought up in this book- questions and subjects that are timeless, repeating with each new generation no matter how much progress we may have made. There are absolutes- and there are thousands of gray areas. How It Ends delves headlong into plenty of those gray areas, spinning similar problems in different ways with different outcomes.
Character development is strong in this book and though there are many places where I want to smack Hanna for being an idiot, she is being a 16 year old girl, desperate and crazy in love with just enough hope to find reason to keep going despite how obvious it is she should stop. We all do this- we read books or look at our friends, see the pathetic situation they are in and beat our heads against a wall trying to make them listen to us and see it like we do. But we don't see it like THEY do- and when it's us in the middle of it, we have the prophetic rose colored glasses on and choose to not see things like everyone else does. That scenario played out with Hanna and I think it added a great, naive element to the story in light of all the other events. In some ways, this is a coming of age story but in a way that not many people go through it.
Hanna's character is one I felt for and the glimpses into her past only deepened my affection for her. The alternating perspectives between Hanna and Helen really helped this story- putting the reader into both of their minds, getting to know them intimately. Her growth is the most profound but Helen's additions did help build her in many ways. Jesse was probably my favorite character because he was so sweet but so wrong in several ways- he had the perfect amount of turn off and appeal.
The ending- I don't even know what to say. It stunned me, took my breath away, left me in thought, and cloaked me in contentment. This ending was bittersweet in many ways but tied the entire work together- without ever just taking an easy way out. There were no loose ends in this book.
I give this one 5 stars for many reasons, from the overall plot to the characters to the writing and raw emotion. This one was hard for me to read- the debilitating disease that Helen endures is the same one that took my aunt and while she didn't have it to the extent Helen does, there were plenty of features the same- plenty of things I remember. It took me longer than it should have to read this one because of that but the story was still completely breathtaking and gut wrenching. Though much of the material is hard to read and highlights some of the darker times in American history, I recommend this one to pretty much anyone who can stomach some of it.
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