To ultimately be happy, we all have to experience periods in our lives where we are melancholy, gloomy and despondent. How else would we know to appreciate the happiness when we have it? For many people, parts of their teenage years are unbearable, maybe because their understanding of our world increases immensely, and suddenly they are forced to begin navigating on their own.
My Heart and Other Black Holes is a captivating story about guilt, depression and anguish; it change your perspective on emotion, and reminds you that whoever you are, and whatever has happened to you, there is always an end to the arduous, obsidian tunnel of sadness. Aysel, the intelligent main character, refers to it as the 'black slug', living inside of her and handsome, popular Roman, and consuming every ounce of positivity until all she can see and feel and think about is the end.
And it is only one month away. Aysel and Roman make an unthinkable commitment: in thirty days they will jump off a cliff, and end their lives together. Before we die, we require closure and while each sunset brings her a day nearer to her death day, Aysel pursues it in every corner of her life. However, as she explores, she discovers unexpected open doors and promises of a future that is auspicious and clean, in her parents, family, teacher, classmates and most of all dark, thoughtful Roman. Maybe there is more to live for than she realised… But can they save each other? Or is Roman so lost he cannot be saved?
Jasmine Warga writes with beautiful understanding, and every teenager will relate and benefit unimaginably from reading this book. I wouldn't change a single word.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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