David Surface

I'm very grateful to GoryDetails, a BookCrossing friend, for sending this book to me. I'm very grateful to GoryDetails for sending this book to me. Between its cover is a good, solid story, a bit of history, examination of the mental health care of people-- in a then and now fashion, and examination of interpersonal relationships between families and close friends.
I've know of the wretched historical treatment of people with mental health issues, both from my university studies and from show more novels I've read taking place in other asylums. To see it played against modern day in the way it was, was a great vehicle. We've come a long way, but still have a lot more to go.
The element of time intersections for the two girls in the novel was a terrific choice. Watching their relationship, and the interactions each of them had with other companions in their own times had me running John Dunne's words though my brain -- "No man is an island". There is an ocean of love and friendship that is tucked into the events of this novel, despite the circumstances in both times.

I hadn't realized this was a book for teens/YA when I first heard of it. It didn't matter for me; I enjoyed reading it, even though my teen years are long gone. I found it a refreshing read, straightforward (despite having timeline intersections). Kudos to the authors and my thanks again to my friend for sending it. show less