Book Raves Pt. 9: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Artwork by Emily Carroll.

What better way is there to read and discover more books than to sign up for a library card and peruse through your local library?

I was with a close friend on that day, profusely trying to remember the pin I made for my library card when I registered online. After talking to a volunteer, I managed to get my library card and change the pin (not that anyone would care...). Then we snaked through each aisle of books to look through them and while I was looking for one that would catch my attention, my friend suddenly perked up from behind a shelf, this book in her hand, and told me that I would love it. And love it I did.

Speak is originally a YA novel (I think a film adaptation was also made starring Kristen Stewart), but this book was the graphic novel version. I don't read a lot of graphic novels, but I'm a big fan of them - the most graphic novel-ly stories I've read are that of webtoons or web comics.

Speak follows the story of Melinda Sordino, a freshman in high school who is treated as an outcast and who chose to stay away from any interaction with the human world. When I finished the book, I came to understand towards the end why that was the case, but I'll try not to give any spoilers.

Unlike the title, Melinda weaves through her high school life never really talking or speaking up. Like I said, she prefers to be by herself. Although she used to have friends, she turned her back on them just as they did the same due to a drastic, horrible and life-changing incident at a party.

This book is powerful in the sense that not only does it emphasise the impact of trauma on a person's life, but also highlights how important it is to overcome that trauma by learning how to use your voice.

There was one part in the book when I felt so much sympathy for her, as well as so much disgust at what she had to experience. She was laying in her bed and noticed her mirror, which she decided to remove after seeing herself. This simple act indicates the self-loathing; the fact she can't even look at herself without remembering what happened makes me feel so angry. What she saw in that mirror was someone broken and someone who was desperate for a person to listen, instead of the girl she once knew.

Disgusting actions without remorse or without the thought of what it could do to someone is inhumane. In spite of what I said, here comes a spoiler alert - how could anyone resort to abuse when someone specifically emphasises the word NO and pushes you away?

Only the devil would know.

The artwork for that scene was heartbreaking and it almost made me cry.

Despite Melinda keeping to herself and not using her voice, this book is about her growth and how she surpassed her fears in order to get the justice she deserves. She spoke up and this is an inspiration for those who have the same story as her's - it acts as a push to remind people not to be afraid to use their voice.

But this is also for people who find it hard to speak up. Just like Melinda, whatever your story is, you may not be able to speak up now, but you will eventually, as long as you don't hinder yourself from growth. Don't force yourself, it will come naturally.

{#books #novels #rave #graphicnovel #Speak #LaurieHalseAnderson}