The Final Solution

[Lauren]

I wanted to add another discussion topic about the support group in the book for those contemplating suicide. What did you think? I've heard of websites like this in conversations in some of my classes but never did any research.

[Amy]

Support groups like this totally floor me. Why not encourage someone to get help vs taking their own life?

[Robyn]

I think it's portrayed as complexly as it is in real life. I don't think it's as black and white as encouraging suicide vs helping because people on these kinds of sites in real life are ill too. It's complicated and messy and I think Gayle Forman has shown this really well, asking the same questions Cody does about why someone would do this.
It's horrible, yes, that people do this but it's shedding a light on something that not so many people would be all to aware of.

[Lauren]

I found it horrifying as I was reading the novel, but I think I can understand why it exists at the same time. I agree with you, Robyn, Cody did a great job on shedding light on how really complex that situation is. If you add that to being clinically depressed, I personally couldn't speak to how hard it would be not to find comfort in other people encouraging that. I think it's horrible and I would hope that people found groups that encouraged them to live instead, but Forman did a great job showing how difficult all these issues are in general to deal with. l