♥!The Young Adult Book Club!♥ discussion

The show on Netflix has brought this book back to being a hot topic. Discuss your thoughts on the show or book.

I don´t actually remember much from the book, because I read it so long ago, so I was shocked at certain parts of the show that I had totally forgotten about reading.
I knew the Bryce situation (But only with Hannah, not Jessica!) and the Tyler situation, but had a blurry memory of the rest.
For Clay´s tape, for some reason, I remember the reason he was on the tapes in the book was because of what he DIDN´T do, instead of what he did do. But yeah, I remembered the overall gist of it was that he wasn´t really supposed to be on the tapes at all.

I haven't read the book but I have been told it's very different than how the show protrays it. But I loved the show and it was heartbreaking to watch some of it.

I just finished the book and loved it. It's been a while since a book has kept me up into the early hours of the morning (especially when I have school in the morning). But Thirteen Reasons Why managed to draw me and keep me in the book until I finished it. I just started watching the TV show so I'm interested to see the similarities and differences between the TV show and book.

I've seen so many mixed reviews on the book and show. I remember reading the book a number of times (I think like 4) in high school and really connecting with the story. I honestly thought the Netflix adaptation was wonderful and really elevated the story.

The two most common criticisms of the story (either format) are 1) the story (more so the Netflix show) is incredibly triggering and 2) the story is more blame based and misses the opportunity to discuss mental health.

I agree with the first point, the Netflix show (in my opinion not so much the book) was very triggering, especially to those whose mental health may be at a shaky point. Having just come out of low mental health point, the last episode left with with very negative affect. I can easily see how some may begin to experience negative thoughts after watching the show and these individuals may want to pass it up. That being said, I loved how raw the show was. The scene with Jessica (and Bryce) and the final episode were hard to watch and heartbreaking, but due to the subject matter they contained, I felt like they needed to be to truly convey the message. I did appreciate Netflix adding trigger warning to these episodes as well.

As for the second point, while I understand why some people interpret the story as "blamey", I personally disagree. I always interpreted the text as another version of a cautionary tale, showing the reader how even the smallest actions can lead to dire consequences. For example, Alex is on the tape for the list. Even in the text (and show), Hannah mentions that Alex would probably think she's overreacting. However, for Hannah, being on that list resulted in a downward spiral detailed throughout the rest of the story. Yes, this could be interpreted as Hannah blaming Alex for what happened after being on the list. This could also be interpreted as Hannah pointing out to Alex how the small action he made contributed to what happened in the long run. I think Clay says it best, "If each one of us did something different, Hannah may still be alive."

Like with all things, if people like the book and/or the show is going to come down to a manner of opinion. Those that don't like Hannah's character are going to dislike the series and maybe view the show as blaming. Those that do like her character may view this as a cautionary tale. Those struggling with mental health (specifically depression or past/current suicidal ideation) may feel triggered by the show, but some may not. Some people may feel that this show attempted to glamorized suicide. Some may feel that the portrayal was too graphic. These point are all valid.

Personally, I loved them both. I needed some serious self care after watching the show and I'm in the process of rereading the book. I still highly recommend this story (and now show), baring in mind that personal experience will be crucial in shaping interpretations.

I feel like the only person in the world who really doesn't like this book, but I feel like it's an extremely poor depiction of mental illness. I read it a long time ago and don't remember anyone's names, but I do remember thinking that the main character exhibited no signs of depression other than the fact that she committed suicide. She also spent weeks before her death finding ways to blame 13 different people for her choice to kill herself. It contradicts everything I've learned about depression in my psychology classes. Either the author doesn't understand anything about mental illness, or the main character wasn't depressed and killed herself just to make others feel guilty for the rest of their lives. Considering she is guilty of way worse than most of the people on those tapes, I just don't believe this is a story of "everything adds up in the end."

I don't know if I will ever watch the show, but I have seen many reviews from people who suffer from mental illness that claim it is either very triggering or a terrible misinterpretation of mental health issues. I know if I suffered from depression I'd be pretty offended by the content the author came up with.

I agree with you Farren.

If she was so dressed why would she risk someone else feeling that same way she did, yet she spends so much time and energy on revenge. I just don't see how a depressed person would do that to someone else knowing how it feels. Those are the actions on some one mad and planning revenge!

My daughter and I were discussing this when we were watching the series on Netflix. She's 22 and I'm 40 ish ;) I understand individuals might be upset but it's just an opinion, we both thought that she (MC) was a weak person, I don't believe she suffered from depression but had no friends she could count on she reminded us of someone needed and clingy.

Anyway who has not had a name on some list in their life! Most would ignore knowing that it will phase out, yet she takes it to the extreme and makes it a big deal.

We were extremely upset on how she decided to be remember. We don't really care for Hannah but we do want to find out about Clay, so we will continue to watch.

All I get out of this story so far (and I might have to come back and change this after we watch all the episodes) is you have to walk on egg shells with people so their feelings won't get hurt because god forbid they do and then blame everyone for their choice to take THEIR life.

Elsa wrote: "I agree with you Farren.

If she was so dressed why would she risk someone else feeling that same way she did, yet she spends so much time and energy on revenge. I just don't see how a depressed pe..."

You need to read absolutely a heartbraking non fiction tale and i think you can handle it