Book Raves Pt. 10: Five Feet Apart
- Lindsey
- Mar 2, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: May 4, 2020
So, as a reader, I think I'm doing something right by reading the book first before watching the film, and I'm so glad I read the book first.
But let me start by saying that I actually didn't know this was a book until I saw it on display in Waterstones *awkward nervous smiling*. I also only heard about Five Feet Apart due to me keeping up with Riverdale and finding out that Cole Sprouse was starring in it after the trailer appeared in my recommended on YouTube. Breathe, Lindsey...
To be honest, I wasn't really interested in watching the film, even though I saw it multiple times on Netflix. I jotted it down mentally on my list of films to watch, though, which will probably happen years from their release because, you know, I don't do mainstream.
Just kidding.
It was mostly due to my fear of crying from another film about a disease that could potentially kill two people in love. We don't want a repeat of The Fault in Our Stars now, do we? (I still haven't watched the film - don't judge me, I just don't want to cry).
Therefore, after seeing the book in Waterstones and then seeing the book in the library again, I took it as a sign from the universe and decided to borrow it.
Five Feet Apart follows the story of Stella Grant, a girl who has cystic fibrosis and has been in and out of hospital ever since the young age of six years old. According to the NHS, cystic fibrosis (CF) is "an inherited condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system." It can even cause infections to the lungs, as well as creating problems with digesting food ("Cystic fibrosis"). Without treatment, you can end up dying because of CF.
After being admitted to Saint Grace's Hospital for a 'tune-up' that required being "pumped with antibiotics to... get rid of a sore throat and a fever..." and dealing with a 35% lung function, Stella meets Will - another CFer, but someone who is also diagnosed with B. cepacia. Also known as Burkholderia cepacia, it is a complex that "consists of different species of bacteria that are found in the natural environment" with some posing serious risks to a person with CF ("Burkholderia Cepacia Complex (B. Cepacia)").
Therefore, a person with CF and B. cepacia is not allowed to touch another individual with CF in case of infecting them. They would need to keep a distance of six feet apart (read the book if you want to know why the title is Five Feet Apart *wink wink*).
You can see why falling in love would be a complication for two people who have CF, with one of them having B. cepacia.
Well, that's exactly what Stella and Will have to go through; they fall for each other, but they're never allowed to touch.
Before I get to the emotional parts, my first impression of this book was that it had humour, even though the topic was of disease and the horror of death.
Two of the moments that stood out to me and made me laugh so much was when Stella and Poe had this exchange after an argument:
"He catches them, giving me a look as I buy a pack for myself. 'Thanks.'
'Welcome,' I say, sitting opposite from him, his eyes like daggers.
'Bitch,' he shoots back.
'Asshole.'"
It's just quality banter.
And during Will's birthday party:
"Stella nods, taking over the story. 'So, we put on sheets and...' Poe starts making ghostly OOOOHHH sounds, holding out his arms and floating around the room. 'We snuck into the dementia ward.'"
I know it seemed really harsh that they did that, but I couldn't stop laughing. I'm so sorry to anyone who has dementia, or to anyone who knows someone with dementia. It was just amusing to me because they were full of youth, despite the fact that their condition could cause their death.
SPOILER ALERT. There were moments in the book that made me cry: 1.) When Poe died out of nowhere, 2.) when Stella almost died and 3.) when Will left Stella, even though she didn't want him to. It was hard to swallow my emotions; I couldn't stop myself from crying.
This book evoked so many emotions, but one thing this book reminded me of is the idea of time and how quick it flies.
Stella, who was focused on getting better, realised later on that what she was doing wasn't 'living' - she was so scared of the effects of her possible death on her parents that she wasn't able to live her life, or do the things she wanted to do. Whereas, Will was the complete opposite. Instead of trying to improve his health, he didn't want to waste his life being confined in hospitals - he wanted to be free and to explore; he felt like he wasn't living at all.
We are reminded of the fact that "time waits for no one" (bonus point for anyone who knows what anime film this is from; it's my favourite saying) and anyone could pass away tomorrow. Although we try not to think about it, our time on earth is limited - we have to make the most of our lives, so that when we eventually go, we don't regret the loss of time and not being able to fulfil our goals.
We are also reminded of the sacrifices that come with love, whether that is romantic or familial. Stella and Will wanted to be together, but because Will wanted Stella to live, he decided to leave, and that takes a lot of guts.
(Don't worry about the ending, though. It's beautiful and wholesome).
The fear of loss of time also goes for spending time with loved ones and exploring our youth. We are youthful even if we grow in age. It doesn't go away. There are people battling for their lives who would love to steal any moment of our time.
So, treasure it and tell someone you love and appreciate them.
(Wish me luck for watching the film *nervous laughter*).
References:
"Burkholderia Cepacia Complex (B. Cepacia)." Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org/Life-With-CF/Daily-Life/Germs-and-Staying-Healthy/What-Are-Germs/Burkholderia-Cepacia-Complex/.
"Cystic fibrosis." NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystic-fibrosis/.
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