Name: The last leaves falling
ISBN: 9781481430654

Sarah Benwell

In Japan, teenaged Abe Sora, who is afflicted with "Lou Gehrig's Disease," finds friends online and elicits their help to end his suffering.

The last leaves falling

Melissa Palmer

Book #77 Read in 2015
the last leaves falling by Sarah Benwell (YA)

This is an exceptional read. Abe Sora is a teenager diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and he knows that the outcome is death. He feels like a burden on his mother. Sora feels as if he cannot go out because of the pitying stares. He connects with two local teens online via a forum and the trio end up meeting in person. Sora feels as if his life has more meaning but the progression of his disease is quick moving and he wants to live, and die, on his terms. 

This book was well-written and powerful. The characters are ones that readers will care about immediately. Filled with Japanese myths and tidbits, the book was elevated to a new level. I believe high school girls and adults would enjoy this book. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

jess

Well, this is the first time a book has made me cry in a long time. I don't read much about terminal illnesses - I haven't read a book like this since well before my grandfather passed from cancer, and it hit me a lot harder now that I can visualize the end of life.

I didn't connect to Sora as a teenager, though - I connected to his anguish about prolonging life artificially and his fear of dying without dignity. The writing was kind of stilted and I don't really know what to think of this as a British person writing a story about Japan, with Japanese characters discussing their culture often. Some language seemed very American, ("dude") so. 

I also like the technological aspect of it and the message that online friends can be just as important.

Another thing: there was no sweeping love story, no dangerous adventures, no romanticizing a terminal illness. And that was so so good. The story that carried out was a lowkey and mild one. Also, I think I saw a jab at TFIOS.

The last leaves falling

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