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... well, best not to think about that.
Patrick Ness's latest novel takes its inspiration partly from Judy Blume's classic teen novel ''Forever'', and partly from Virginia Woolf's ''Mrs Dalloway''. It takes place over the course of a single day, as Adam gets ready for his ex-boyfriend's going-away party. As the day ticks on, we learn how Adam can't quite break his attachment to his ex Enzo, how he keeps his current boyfriend Linus, a secret from his father, how his boss at his part-time job is the most creeptastic boss ever, and how much he relies on his best friend for an outlet when there are so many secrets in his life. Punctuating Adam's day are supernatural passages which follow the ghost of a girl murdered in the town the week before as she retraces the events that led up to her death.
I fell in love with Adam. A naturally reserved, introspective boy who appears secretive to his prescriptive parents, his inner life is a maelstrom. Enzo broke his heart and because he can't let go of the pain, he can't love Linus as he wants to love Linus. He's forced to keep secrets from his parents. He is jealous of his "perfect" brother. He is dealing with a handsy boss. His best friend and emotional crutch will be leaving soon and what then, without her? This day will be a defining one for Adam and Ness expresses the confused feelings and the intensity of them with honesty and beauty and heartbreak. I don't mind telling you that I wept.
