Split by Swati Avasthi
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Publisher: Knopf
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Source: Publisher
Interest: Debut Author
Challenge: 2010 Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon
Sixteen-Year-Old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father’s fist), $3.84, and a secret.
He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can’t make him forget what he left behind—his mother, who is still trapped with his dad, and his ex-girlfriend, who is keeping his secret.
At least so far.
Worst of all, Jace realizes that if he really wants to move forward, he may first have to do what scares him most: He may have to go back. First-time novelist Swati Avasthi has created a riveting and remarkably nuanced portrait of what happens after. After you’ve said enough, after you’ve run, after you’ve made the split—how do you begin to live again? Readers won’t be able to put this intense page-turner down.
What an emotional read... I just finished a few moments ago and I'm having the hardest time composing myself and writing this review. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. What a fantastic debut novel. Did I mention that I was blown away... and heart-broken.
This novel is raw, it's honest, it's unbelievable. I've read stories about domestic violence, not many but a few, but I've never had a novel tackle the aftermath, the part of the story that the character has to deal with once they are out of the situation. It's much more heart-wrenching then I ever imagined.
To watch Jace struggle, it was so unfair.
The middle of the story did lag a little for me, but I think the exceptional characterization and writing more than made up for it.
And despite the subject matter... there is still an underlying notion of hope.
One of those books that you won't be able to put down... and one that will have a special place in your heart... as will Jace.
Awesome.
P.S. Did you notice the faces in the cover... I didn't initially and now it's all I see!