A Blue So Dark in YA Saves Reading Challenge Group

Jan 21, 2010 Book Sp(l)ot rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010-release, debut-author-ya-mg, library, mental-health

A Blue So Dark takes an honest and often painful look at schizophrenia through a teenagers eyes. Aura Ambrose has to deal with what a lot of fifteen-year-olds have to deal with: divorced parents, a dad who's not around enough, tough friendships and a tricky relationship with her mother--but in Aura's case it's all compounded (if not caused) by the fact that her mother's a schizophrenic.

In her debut novel, Holly Schindler does a beautiful job portraying Aura's mother's illness, the isolation Aura A Blue So Dark takes an honest and often painful look at schizophrenia through a teenagers eyes. Aura Ambrose has to deal with what a lot of fifteen-year-olds have to deal with: divorced parents, a dad who's not around enough, tough friendships and a tricky relationship with her mother--but in Aura's case it's all compounded (if not caused) by the fact that her mother's a schizophrenic.

In her debut novel, Holly Schindler does a beautiful job portraying Aura's mother's illness, the isolation Aura feels in being the only one to deal with everything day to day, Aura's fear that she'll one day end up like her mother, and Aura's eventual need to ask for help.

This novel was the first book a long, long time that I've sat down and read in (almost) one sitting. I have to say almost only because I'd read the first even or so pages already and then I was going to read 50 pages or x many chapters but I got so engrossed in the story I ended up reading to the end. (It's a good thing it was a nice day outside where I was and my dog was behaving!)

The way that creativity was seen by Aura as a possible gateway to insanity was really, really interesting to me. I don't have any mental illness in my family, but I am creative so to try to think like Aura on that was different. (And I couldn't imagine how hard it would be for her to have-or think she had-that choice.)

The relationships between all of the characters were all very well written and developed--the bits of the past also helped you see more of who they were and I enjoyed that.

It was a beautiful story yes about a teenage girl whose mother has schizophrenia but it was also a beautiful story about a teenager who has too much on her plate and needed to learn how to manage it and accept help from others.

A Blue So Dark is a great read for teens and young adults (and adults, too, really) not only because it's an amazing book, but also because far too many people don't know about or understand schizophrenia and this book, while fiction, depicts it very well I think.

10/10 --and I so cannot wait for Playing Hurt even if it's a totally different genre, I think I love Holly Schindler's writing ...more

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Jun 13, 2010 Patricia (Patricia's Particularity) rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, own, ya-saves, own-ya

While most teenagers are worried about whether a boy likes them, if their hair is perfect, if they have latest fashionable clothing, Aura has other things to worry about - a mother who is showing signs of having a a Schizophrenic episode. To make it worse, she has no one to help her, her father having moved out and remarried a few years ago. Her father's absence and complete lack of concern leaves Aura to take care of her mother all by herself, even watching her through a window outside while he While most teenagers are worried about whether a boy likes them, if their hair is perfect, if they have latest fashionable clothing, Aura has other things to worry about - a mother who is showing signs of having a a Schizophrenic episode. To make it worse, she has no one to help her, her father having moved out and remarried a few years ago. Her father's absence and complete lack of concern leaves Aura to take care of her mother all by herself, even watching her through a window outside while her mother teaches art classes, just to make sure she can 'save' her mother if she has an episode. Aura is afraid to tell anyone, afraid that she will be locked up along with her mother in a hospital. At first Aura denies these possibilities, delving into her art. After connecting famous artists who were also Schizophrenic, and now dead, Aura fears art, that indulging in any type of art will make her sink into the darkness of Schizophrenia.

Aura's character is very unique. I have read many characters that are artistic in some way, but I especially enjoyed Aura's creative skills. Not only does she draw but her poetic skills are pretty impressive as well, of which Holly Schindler gives you tastes. While Aura's situation is also unique in a way, Holly Schindler has done a great job in making it so every reader can relate to - I don't mean that we all have a Schizophrenic parent that we take care of alone; I am talking about how we all have 'secrets' that we don't want to share with others. Even little secrets that we try to hide, knowing that we should share them with at least one person.

I felt that the love interest, Jeremy, could have been left out in a way. I honestly felt at times he was a bit pushy, only speaking with Aura to get her to paint his skateboard. Also, the last thing Aura needed in her life was a romantic relationship. But at the same time Jeremy gave Aura the very much human emotions that she was lacking. Even something as simple as freedom while riding on a skateboard.

Also, I love beautiful writing, and don't get me wrong, Holly Schindler has done just that. The only problem I have with her writing in A Blue So Dark is the number of times she uses Imagery. I felt like I was being smothered by imagery. Individually, each one is amazing, but when you are given at least a small handful on every page it can become a bit too much. HOWEVER, this does not make the novel or Aura's story any less relevant and impacting. After reading this novel, you will be moved and affected in ways that you might not know. For me, I had to sit with this novel for a few days before even coming to terms with it. This novel is definitely in a class all its own - in a good way. I recommend this one for those interested in reading about something new yet serious. ...more

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