I was sent here because of a boy. His name was Reeve Maxfield, and I loved him and then he died, and almost a year passed and no one knew what to do with me.
Intriguing, right? A school for 'emotionally fragile, highly intelligent' children called The Wooden Barn. A Special English class that is rumoured to have changed the lives of many for the better. A group with numerous problems. And a special place where they all feel better, and learn to face their problems.
An imaginary one world, for anyone but them, called Belzhar. It's the Code name for Bell Jar, renowned author Sylvia Plath's novel that this group is reading in their English class in which their teacher gives them the journals that will transport them to their special places.
I absolutely loved the idea. Five heart-breaking stories, and a place where it all gets better. But, as soon as I started reading it, Belzhar started disappointing me. I simply couldn't feel the chemistry between Reeve and Jam, and for this whole novel to be based on their unrequited love, I simply couldn't go on. Forty one days of awkward flirting, and Jam is left depressed for a year? The facts just didn't add up.
But then I gave Belzhar another try. And while this time it was better, as I learned to focus on other problems rather than just Jam's, the book got to me and at times, I simply had to put it down with the intensity of it all.
But never Jam. I thought I could forget all about her, and her numerous silly endeavours, but then, the finale was her story. The whole story. Which made me want to shake her up and ask her "Why, Jam, WHY?"
All in all, while I didn't get the protagonist and her storyline AT ALL, the other teens whose stories were being told, made it an extremely worthwhile read!
3.5 Stars!
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
Want to tell the world about a book you've read? Join the site and send us your review!
