Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano – 336 pages

ARC provided by Dial Press – Simon and Schuster for an honest review.

Book Blurb:

One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them is a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured vet returning from Afghanistan, a septuagenarian business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. And then, tragically, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor. Edward’s story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place for himself in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a piece of him has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery–one that will lead him to the answers of some of life’s most profound questions: When you’ve lost everything, how do find yourself? How do you discover your purpose? What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?

My Review: 5 stars – Guest Review

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Dear Edward will definitely be on many lists of the best books of 2020. This powerful and poignant coming of age story in the wake of tragedy has received well-deserved publicity, including NBC’s Today Show January pick. It is the story of a boy who survives a plane crash, and how he begins to heal, through his connection with others, including friends, the family who raises him, and other people impacted by the crash. The author has shared in interviews that the story was inspired by the true story of a nine- year-old Dutch boy who was the sole survivor of a plane crash in Libya in 2010. The parallel narratives are told in chapters that alternate between Edward’s perspective during life after the crash, and scenes occurring during the time from boarding the plane up until the moment of the crash. The minute – by- minute flashbacks help the reader get to know the back stories of the characters, and become invested in them. The narrative is well-balanced, with the author devoting the right amount of time between the secondary characters on the plane, and the main characters during the aftermath of the crash.

The author’s writing is gorgeous, and I cared so much about all of the characters, both main and secondary. They were all equally important to the overall plot. The characters were all unforgettable, authentic, and compelling, which added depth to the story. I felt that I really understood and intimately knew all of the characters, as they played significant parts in Edward’s recovery. This included Edward’s therapist, the principal of his school, and Shay, the girl next door whom Edward befriends, and who is able to nurture him when he has difficulty connecting to other adults. The relationship depicted between Edward and his older brother was particularly poignant. Edward’s aunt and uncle were realistic and well-drawn, as they deal with their own losses and the unexpected responsibility of protecting Edward as he becomes a subject of national interest.

The narrative that takes place on the plane is gut-wrenching and harrowing as the reader comes to understand what caused the crash. I read these parts with dread, since I knew what was inevitably going to happen. The author reportedly did research on the psychology of airline travel, which was fascinating to read. I don’t recommend reading this book right before you get on an airplane!

The story was equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful, and will cause the reader to reflect on how they are living their life. The book was painful but also hopeful, life-affirming and uplifting as Edward slowly begins to heal. He rediscovers hope, joy, and purpose in his life after experiencing monumental loss. The story illustrates how we are all inter-connected, and how love, friendship, and community can help us move beyond grief and begin to heal. This will surely be a book club favorite. Please don’t let the subject matter keep you from reading this unforgettable, beautiful book. It is never manipulative or depressing. This is a book that you should not miss. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Review courtesy of Ronna.

Quotes I liked:

The past is the same as the present to her, as precious and as close at hand. After all, if you think about one memory for most of a day, is that not your present? Some people live in the now; some people prefer to reside in the past – either choice is valid.”

“So much could be solved, she thinks, if we simply held hands with each other more often.”

“If you live long enough, everything is complicated.”

“Pain and love are two sides of the same coin.”

“What happened is baked into your bones. it lives under your skin. It’s not going away. It’s part of you and will be part of you every moment until you die. What you’ve been working on …is learning to live with that. “