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Trigger
Jersey Hatch seemed to have it all together--he played sports, was popular, had a great girlfriend, best friend, and supportive parents. But when he emerges from a recuperative care center, all that is gone, his legs and hands don't work right, his mouth says every word that pops into his brain, and he has to write down his thoughts so that he remembers even the most basic directions and details. Through it all, one question haunts him: why did he try to kill himself?
Hardcover
First published September 4, 2006
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About the author
Susan Vaught
30 books204 followersWebsite: http://susanvaught.com
astrology sign: Libra
favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them) and His Dark Materials
(all of those, too)
favorite song:I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
current pet total:12 if you don't count the chickens, peafowl,
turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, or guineas.
names of my schools:
Vanderbilt University (MS, Ph.D.)
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (BA)
Germantown High School (Germantown, TN 9th-12th)
Germantown Middle School (Germantown, TN 8th)
Can't Remember, but the mascot was a purple dragon (Sandy Springs/Atlanta Georgia, 7th)
Green Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 6th) Frances Patterson was a very cool teacher there. I write because of her.
Pierce Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 3rd-5th)
Can't Remember, but it was big (Corinth, MS, 2nd)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford, MS, K-1st)
University of Mississippi (Day Care, Playschool)
astrology sign: Libra
favorite book: Harry Potter (all of them) and His Dark Materials
(all of those, too)
favorite song:I Will Follow You Into The Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
current pet total:12 if you don't count the chickens, peafowl,
turkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, or guineas.
names of my schools:
Vanderbilt University (MS, Ph.D.)
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (BA)
Germantown High School (Germantown, TN 9th-12th)
Germantown Middle School (Germantown, TN 8th)
Can't Remember, but the mascot was a purple dragon (Sandy Springs/Atlanta Georgia, 7th)
Green Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 6th) Frances Patterson was a very cool teacher there. I write because of her.
Pierce Street Elementary (Tupelo, MS 3rd-5th)
Can't Remember, but it was big (Corinth, MS, 2nd)
Oxford Elementary (Oxford, MS, K-1st)
University of Mississippi (Day Care, Playschool)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
September 3, 2017
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3.5/5 Stars
Jersey Hatch tried to commit suicide by shooting him in the head. Now, half his body is left useless and he can't remember a lot of things. He doesn't remember why his best friend won't talk to him, he doesn't know why he can't control the things that come out of his mouth and he can't remember why he tried to commit suicide in the first place.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I originally thought I would. The concept of the book was interesting, Jersey returning to his old life after his failed suicide and year of rehab... It was interesting seeing Jersey learning to cope and come to terms with what he had done to himself. I liked how we got glimpses into how Jersey's attempt affected so many people in his life. There was a great balance between the heavy topics in the book and lighthearted funny moments.
Definitely a book worth reading.
3.5/5 Stars
Jersey Hatch tried to commit suicide by shooting him in the head. Now, half his body is left useless and he can't remember a lot of things. He doesn't remember why his best friend won't talk to him, he doesn't know why he can't control the things that come out of his mouth and he can't remember why he tried to commit suicide in the first place.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I originally thought I would. The concept of the book was interesting, Jersey returning to his old life after his failed suicide and year of rehab... It was interesting seeing Jersey learning to cope and come to terms with what he had done to himself. I liked how we got glimpses into how Jersey's attempt affected so many people in his life. There was a great balance between the heavy topics in the book and lighthearted funny moments.
Definitely a book worth reading.
May 20, 2014
Suicide victims often times are misunderstood by others. Many tends to be judgemental of them, calling them selfish, attention seeker or even mad. Suicides account for twice as many deaths as AIDS and over half of suicide deaths are by firearm.
Jersey Hatch is the voice of all those vulnerable, troubled teens out there. Vaught has crafted him based on her experience of working with young people as a practising neuropsychologist.
Jersey suffered permanent physical and neurological impairment after a botched suicide attempt. His sentences are often punctuated with random odd words in between and half of his body no longer work like it used to be. A big chunk of his memories leading to the day he shot himself in the head was obliterated after the tragic attempt to end himself. The Jersey After has no recollection as to why he pulled the trigger that day. Together we navigate along with him through his unsynchronized mind as he tried to piece everything together again while he faced hardships due to his disabilities and from his family, friends and teachers. Would the truth give him the peace he needed to finally settle down or would it cause him to want to pull the trigger for the second time?
Trigger gave us insights to a suicidal teen's mind enabling us to better understand this widespread devastating act of self harming. Aside from that it also explored the aftermath of suicide on family members, friends and those around the victim. The book represents a wake up call to us to start paying more attention to those we cared about, start to listen more, judge less, for you might save a life.
I would say that Vaught handled the theme of this book really well. It wasn't judgemental or clinical, she let the readers decide for themselves based on what they see -- this would create deeper impression on the messages within. As extra food for thought, she even managed to raise several other social issues such as parenting, school bullying and also the responsibility and risk of firearm ownership. Although Trigger addresses a heavy subject, it wasn't a difficult book read as I have first thought it would be. Vaught has included the right amount of humor to smooth out the rough edges. I admit to burst out laughing many times because of the humorous situations Jersey unintentionally created due to his runaway mouth.
Frankly there are some plot holes that chips away bit of the realism but it wasn't that big of a deal and since the book did achieved its aim on creating awareness on suicide, it didn't bother me that much.
I would highly recommend this book to older teenagers and to adults as well. In fact, everyone should read this book. Knowledge could save lives - even your own life. Prevention should always be the first step.
FACTS
Know that...
Consider this statement below before you act on your impulse or start judging others...
IMPORTANT to continue reading about the above statement here: Metanoia
BOOK DETAILS:
Title: Trigger
Author: Susan Vaught
Publication Date: April 10th, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary
Type: Novel, approximately 75,000 words
Main Characters: Jersey Hatch, Mr&Mrs Hatch, Leza Rush, Todd Rush, Mama Rush
Tags/Keywords:
Description:
Jersey Hatch seemed to have it all together-he played sports, was popular, had a great girlfriend, best friend, and supportive parents. But when he emerges from a recuperative care center, all that is gone, his legs and hands don't work right, his mouth says every word that pops into his brain, and he has to write down his thoughts so that he remembers even the most basic directions and details. Through it all, one question haunts him: why did he try to kill himself
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July 1, 2008
Whoa! Interesting premise for a book: a boy attempts suicide by shooting himself, but survives. The books begins as he comes home for the first time after a year of rehab. He barely believes he tried to kill himself and spends the whole book figuring out why he pulled the trigger (hence the title). He also has to reconcile with his extremely upset parents and angry friends. On top of all this, he is now severely physically handicapped and can barely think or speak coherently. The enire book is narrated in his stumbling, cloudy-headed voice, which makes it a little hard to read. Nevertheless, I think this book would really appeal to teens, especially since most of them will inevitably be confronted by suicide in their high school or college years. In all, I highly recommend this book. It raises issues about the effects of suicide that only a "failed" suicide could.
June 18, 2015
****5 Moving, Inspirational, and Captivating Stars***
I haven't written a review in a while. Nothing really worth the time recently, until I came across this gem!!! I really step out of my box with this one, not being a fan of young adult. From the first chapter your dragged into the damaged mind of Jersey Hatch, and you don't want to leave.
Without giving to much away, Jersey is a young man who tried to commit sucide, but fails. He now has to live with the reprucions of his actions. Going through life with ex-friends that want nothing to do with him, a family that wants to put him in a bubble, and a memory full of holes are just some of his hardships.
This book is very character driven. The author allowed you to see how Jersey's sucicde attempt effects everyone in his life, even though your reading from Jersey's POV. From Todd, to Leza, to Jersey's parents you get the full impact of emotions involved. I spent my time going between laughing hysterically to being a blubbery mess. (FYI the interaction between Jersey and his mother (HEARTWRENCHING.)
If you looking for something unique, and aren't afraid of the heavy stuff you should pull the TRIGGER on this read!
August 9, 2014
It's been a while since I've read a YA novel & I'm glad I picked this one up. While not a YA full of romance & relationship angst, it was full of real emotional depth & dealt with the subject of suicide in a thoughtful & poignant manner. Jersey was a great character & I felt quite a lot of empathy for him as he tried to figure out what led him to the fateful moment when he attempted suicide. I was on pins & needles with him as he made lists, asked people about himself before & he and his parents tiptoed around each other & what had happened. He basically has one friend left, Mama Rush, the grandmother of his former best friend, Todd & their relationship is one of my favorites in the story. Also in Jersey's corner is Leza, Todd's younger sister & I'll just admit right now that I was pulling for a mutual crush situation. It was nice to see that for all he'd been through, being a teenager still remained & he was concerned about his appearance, making a fool of himself in front of girls & having just enough autonomy & independence from his parents. Nothing about resuming a regular life was easy from family to school & not everyone was nice either.
I must admit that while I understood Jersey's mother was scarred from what he'd done, I found that I understood & empathized with her the least. I kept wanting more explanation from her to get a better handle on her but in the end, I just had to accept that it wasn't coming & be content with that. I did think Jersey's father was portrayed very well & I found that I only found one thing that he didn't do highly questionable but the way the story proceeds was entirely necessary. It was frustrating that often Jersey would ask a question about Before & the reaction he received from others was basically, "Really? How can you even ask that?" Many times, I just wanted to scream "Why doesn't anyone just tell him what he did or how he was already?! Don't you know he doesn't remember?!" I get that he had to work it out & that was the point of his journey but I honestly felt like someone would have just told him. I suppose the case could be made that all those he asked had their own fallout from his attempt so they were of course, dealing with their own feelings as well. I also felt desperately that his family should have had a nearer therapy date than six months out from his rehab hospital discharge. That struck me as woefully inadequate given the situation. I hope that isn't true to life & was just done to maintain the story structure of Jersey & his family working out some important things.
I won't give up the major plot points but suffice it to say, it's a page turner to the very end. There isn't a neat tie up of happy endings for each story thread but it is hopeful & believable.
I must admit that while I understood Jersey's mother was scarred from what he'd done, I found that I understood & empathized with her the least. I kept wanting more explanation from her to get a better handle on her but in the end, I just had to accept that it wasn't coming & be content with that. I did think Jersey's father was portrayed very well & I found that I only found one thing that he didn't do highly questionable but the way the story proceeds was entirely necessary. It was frustrating that often Jersey would ask a question about Before & the reaction he received from others was basically, "Really? How can you even ask that?" Many times, I just wanted to scream "Why doesn't anyone just tell him what he did or how he was already?! Don't you know he doesn't remember?!" I get that he had to work it out & that was the point of his journey but I honestly felt like someone would have just told him. I suppose the case could be made that all those he asked had their own fallout from his attempt so they were of course, dealing with their own feelings as well. I also felt desperately that his family should have had a nearer therapy date than six months out from his rehab hospital discharge. That struck me as woefully inadequate given the situation. I hope that isn't true to life & was just done to maintain the story structure of Jersey & his family working out some important things.
I won't give up the major plot points but suffice it to say, it's a page turner to the very end. There isn't a neat tie up of happy endings for each story thread but it is hopeful & believable.
June 16, 2009
This is about a teenager who shoots himself in the head, but it doesn't kill him. The book starts with him being released from the hospital a year later, but he remembers nothing about trying to kill himself or anything about the year before that.
He's also come through it with a weakened side and more brain damage than just the memory.
It's an interesting mystery as the reader follows Jersey on his quest to find out why he shot himself. Many people are angry with him and seem not to like him anymore. This is explained throughout the book, but there were times when I felt he was being called a 'freak' for no reason. To me, that just shows people's prejudice against the disabled. However, the people that had a right to be mad at him, I felt were sometimes being jerks. It was obvious that Jersey didn't remember and was trying to piece together his past. What's the use of holding a grudge against someone who doesn't even know what he did to deserve it?
It was good read, but I think some of the past events that drove him to shooting himself, could have been delved into a little more. A reason the author didn't dwell on them could be to show that the reasons weren't that important. But I would have to disagree with that to a certain extent.
Another issue I had were some red herrings. Jersey and his best friend were at odds over a girl and it was hinted that something big had happened there. So big that she moved away. But all that happened was that Jersey went out with her knowing his best friend liked her. Then Jersey cheated on her. To me, that's not a good enough reason for the girl's parent's to have moved. Then there was the fact that at times, it hints at Jersey's house being damaged. Possibly by a car, but that goes nowhere. Of course, those thoughts may have been showing Jersey's distracted thoughts. Those issues weren't huge and didn't detract from the novel, but it was a bit of a let down.
Overall, I would recommend people to read it.
He's also come through it with a weakened side and more brain damage than just the memory.
It's an interesting mystery as the reader follows Jersey on his quest to find out why he shot himself. Many people are angry with him and seem not to like him anymore. This is explained throughout the book, but there were times when I felt he was being called a 'freak' for no reason. To me, that just shows people's prejudice against the disabled. However, the people that had a right to be mad at him, I felt were sometimes being jerks. It was obvious that Jersey didn't remember and was trying to piece together his past. What's the use of holding a grudge against someone who doesn't even know what he did to deserve it?
It was good read, but I think some of the past events that drove him to shooting himself, could have been delved into a little more. A reason the author didn't dwell on them could be to show that the reasons weren't that important. But I would have to disagree with that to a certain extent.
Another issue I had were some red herrings. Jersey and his best friend were at odds over a girl and it was hinted that something big had happened there. So big that she moved away. But all that happened was that Jersey went out with her knowing his best friend liked her. Then Jersey cheated on her. To me, that's not a good enough reason for the girl's parent's to have moved. Then there was the fact that at times, it hints at Jersey's house being damaged. Possibly by a car, but that goes nowhere. Of course, those thoughts may have been showing Jersey's distracted thoughts. Those issues weren't huge and didn't detract from the novel, but it was a bit of a let down.
Overall, I would recommend people to read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2011
Susan Vaught
Trigger
New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2008
292 pp. $8.95
978-1-59990-230-2
Suicide can ruin a teenager's life, as well as affect everyone else's around that person. In Trigger, the author Susan Vaught, portrays this aspect very clearly. She also uses other tactics to put the reader into the mindset of 17-year-old Jersey Hatch, who attempted suicide and is now dealing with random outbursts and scars all over his body. The last trait of the novel is how much science is lying beneath the story.
Vaught includes the deep sorrow of his parents and the pain and anger of his friends. She includes viewpoints from different people in Jersey's life to show how greatly it affects each individual. Since the novel is in first person, the author also has to take the reader into the mind of the suicidal boy. For some people, this could be a drawback, seeing as Jersey has tourettes from holding a gun up to his head and pulling the trigger. At some times in the novel, what Jersey is thinking can be extremely confusing. At other times, Jersey's mind can be very helpful in the course of the novel.
You may think that most authors don't care about what detailed facts they put into a book. Susan Vaught happens to be neuropsycologist, a person who treats kids with head trauma. She helps many patients, and she states in an interview at the end of the book that Jersey is a makeup of all of them. Vaught also includes that she decided what exactly the damage would be by shooting your head, and included all of the factors. This really helps the reader understand real life situations so he\she bring them into the book.
If you're looking for a book to read, Trigger by Susan Vaught may be a good choice. It has a scientific background, a great way of taking the reader into the mind of the main character, and developed viewpoints from the surrounding characters. I greatly recommend it.
Trigger
New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2008
292 pp. $8.95
978-1-59990-230-2
Suicide can ruin a teenager's life, as well as affect everyone else's around that person. In Trigger, the author Susan Vaught, portrays this aspect very clearly. She also uses other tactics to put the reader into the mindset of 17-year-old Jersey Hatch, who attempted suicide and is now dealing with random outbursts and scars all over his body. The last trait of the novel is how much science is lying beneath the story.
Vaught includes the deep sorrow of his parents and the pain and anger of his friends. She includes viewpoints from different people in Jersey's life to show how greatly it affects each individual. Since the novel is in first person, the author also has to take the reader into the mind of the suicidal boy. For some people, this could be a drawback, seeing as Jersey has tourettes from holding a gun up to his head and pulling the trigger. At some times in the novel, what Jersey is thinking can be extremely confusing. At other times, Jersey's mind can be very helpful in the course of the novel.
You may think that most authors don't care about what detailed facts they put into a book. Susan Vaught happens to be neuropsycologist, a person who treats kids with head trauma. She helps many patients, and she states in an interview at the end of the book that Jersey is a makeup of all of them. Vaught also includes that she decided what exactly the damage would be by shooting your head, and included all of the factors. This really helps the reader understand real life situations so he\she bring them into the book.
If you're looking for a book to read, Trigger by Susan Vaught may be a good choice. It has a scientific background, a great way of taking the reader into the mind of the main character, and developed viewpoints from the surrounding characters. I greatly recommend it.
June 17, 2019
On the fence between 3.5 and 4 stars...
April 26, 2016
Excellent, excellent book. It gets better each time I read it. I believe this is the third time I've read it. Told from Jersey's pov, it is really an eye opening way to look at how all people suffer a suicide attempt, including the person who attempted suicide. This review does contain SPOILERS, so if you don't want to know ahead of time of some events in the book, don't continue reading this review.
Jersey may have seemed like he lived the perfect life to everyone on the outside, but the pressures to live up to that image of perfection are intense for kids in today's society. It didn't really delve into if his parents pressured him to succeed, but generally that's the case. His mom is a bank president- a highly successful job & his dad is also successful. A lot of times to kids they don't see failure as an option. Then when teenage hormones hit ( not using this as an excuse, but, it is a reality) it can make things much worse & they don't see a way out. Also they can be clinically depressed & it's overlooked because others think its just a phase or teenage hormones. Well you don't always get a second chance with suicide, and with a lot of attempts like in Jersey's case, there is a lot of extensive damage done. One thing I think the author should've mentioned which in a round about way she did, is that once a person attempts suicide, there is a very high likelihood ( I forget the percentage but it's is over 90%) will attempt again. .***Spoiler Alert****That's why it really surprised me that in the book when they discharged Jersey from Carter his first Outpatient Counseling for him & his family was 6 months after discharge. They knew how much harder & stressful it would be for him after he went home. I would think that they would suggest they drive a distance while until the local counselor had the an opening. Also the mom not participating & visiting jersey while in Carter was a red flag that things would be very difficult after discharge. And to put him back in his room where he did the attempt? Even if he supposably didn't remember? Where were the discharge planners in all this?
****Continuing with the SPOILER ALERT****
I couldn't believe the Dad kept the gun after everything , & he even kept it in the house after Jersey found it & his mom flipped out & beat on Jersey. You would think the Counselor could somehow move up the appointment because obviously this family is in crisis. Then later, After the dad promises to take Jersey to the police station to have the gun melted down, that ends up never materializing. Then after an awful day at school( adolescents can be impulsive an often don't see long term, then add to that a brain injured adolescent...) Jersey finds the gun again & this time looks for the bullets & finds them also. I won't say any more. Just leave that much. It was an excellent book. One I think that all parents of Tweens should read as well as maybe kids starting in 7th grade health class. I'm currently listening to a book by Jodi Picult that also deals with teen suicide, teen suicidal ideation, teen bullying & a school shooting its excellent so far, give it a try. Also my next hard book read will be Harlan Coben's Hold Tight it also deals with teen suicide & it's after affects.
I will definitely recommend trigger. This author did such an excellent job. I also loved how she shows the difficulties with Jersey's speech. I worked as a nurse before I had to quit due to illness. I had a patient who was a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, she was in her early 50's. It was early in my career. I was working at a nursing home. At the time she was one of if not the youngest person there. The big question of course was why..... She didn't talk like Jersey. She was really fortunate as the bullett hardly did any brain damage at all. She did have some altered mental capacities- some change in behavior. Fortunately she was able to move her arms & legs & talk with some physical and occupational therapy. She ended up going back home. I'm grateful to the author for writing a book like this. A lot of times( well just about always) the person who attempts or commits suicide honestly believe everyone would be better off without them & don't realize the mess & pain they leave behind. Definitely An Absolutely must read book!!!
Jersey may have seemed like he lived the perfect life to everyone on the outside, but the pressures to live up to that image of perfection are intense for kids in today's society. It didn't really delve into if his parents pressured him to succeed, but generally that's the case. His mom is a bank president- a highly successful job & his dad is also successful. A lot of times to kids they don't see failure as an option. Then when teenage hormones hit ( not using this as an excuse, but, it is a reality) it can make things much worse & they don't see a way out. Also they can be clinically depressed & it's overlooked because others think its just a phase or teenage hormones. Well you don't always get a second chance with suicide, and with a lot of attempts like in Jersey's case, there is a lot of extensive damage done. One thing I think the author should've mentioned which in a round about way she did, is that once a person attempts suicide, there is a very high likelihood ( I forget the percentage but it's is over 90%) will attempt again. .***Spoiler Alert****That's why it really surprised me that in the book when they discharged Jersey from Carter his first Outpatient Counseling for him & his family was 6 months after discharge. They knew how much harder & stressful it would be for him after he went home. I would think that they would suggest they drive a distance while until the local counselor had the an opening. Also the mom not participating & visiting jersey while in Carter was a red flag that things would be very difficult after discharge. And to put him back in his room where he did the attempt? Even if he supposably didn't remember? Where were the discharge planners in all this?
****Continuing with the SPOILER ALERT****
I couldn't believe the Dad kept the gun after everything , & he even kept it in the house after Jersey found it & his mom flipped out & beat on Jersey. You would think the Counselor could somehow move up the appointment because obviously this family is in crisis. Then later, After the dad promises to take Jersey to the police station to have the gun melted down, that ends up never materializing. Then after an awful day at school( adolescents can be impulsive an often don't see long term, then add to that a brain injured adolescent...) Jersey finds the gun again & this time looks for the bullets & finds them also. I won't say any more. Just leave that much. It was an excellent book. One I think that all parents of Tweens should read as well as maybe kids starting in 7th grade health class. I'm currently listening to a book by Jodi Picult that also deals with teen suicide, teen suicidal ideation, teen bullying & a school shooting its excellent so far, give it a try. Also my next hard book read will be Harlan Coben's Hold Tight it also deals with teen suicide & it's after affects.
I will definitely recommend trigger. This author did such an excellent job. I also loved how she shows the difficulties with Jersey's speech. I worked as a nurse before I had to quit due to illness. I had a patient who was a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, she was in her early 50's. It was early in my career. I was working at a nursing home. At the time she was one of if not the youngest person there. The big question of course was why..... She didn't talk like Jersey. She was really fortunate as the bullett hardly did any brain damage at all. She did have some altered mental capacities- some change in behavior. Fortunately she was able to move her arms & legs & talk with some physical and occupational therapy. She ended up going back home. I'm grateful to the author for writing a book like this. A lot of times( well just about always) the person who attempts or commits suicide honestly believe everyone would be better off without them & don't realize the mess & pain they leave behind. Definitely An Absolutely must read book!!!
October 4, 2016
After reading the last perfectly imperfect page of this novel, I took a deep breath, tears lining the edges of my eyes; I felt as if I had suddenly realized I had been holding my breath in a completely different space than shared reality, maybe like diving underwater, into a space where nothing existed except the world of this book.
And it was amazing.
I don't typically like books dealing with the theme of suicide (too depressing), but this one was different. It flowed. With honesty. Hope. With a beautiful, natural rhythm of believable lives. (And the important page-turning quality of novels: suspense!) Jersey's struggling thoughts and struggling body and struggling emotions were all organic to his personality and to his changes after his brain was damage.
The theme that popped out most to me was the self-journey from something seemingly unsurmountable to hope, new perspectives and redefining a very personal sort of quiet success and happiness.
Only a single criticism: Jersey's dad still had his gun and bullets easily accessible? Unbelievable. I surfaced briefly from story-absorption to think, "I am absolutely not convinced this loving, worried dad would be that irresponsible." But I was quickly sucked under again, so, forgivable.
Superb.
And it was amazing.
I don't typically like books dealing with the theme of suicide (too depressing), but this one was different. It flowed. With honesty. Hope. With a beautiful, natural rhythm of believable lives. (And the important page-turning quality of novels: suspense!) Jersey's struggling thoughts and struggling body and struggling emotions were all organic to his personality and to his changes after his brain was damage.
The theme that popped out most to me was the self-journey from something seemingly unsurmountable to hope, new perspectives and redefining a very personal sort of quiet success and happiness.
Only a single criticism: Jersey's dad still had his gun and bullets easily accessible? Unbelievable. I surfaced briefly from story-absorption to think, "I am absolutely not convinced this loving, worried dad would be that irresponsible." But I was quickly sucked under again, so, forgivable.
Superb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2016
4 of 5 stars
TRIGGER is told from the POV of high school senior Jersey, who has just been released from a rehabilitation facility, recovering from severe brain injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He doesn't remember the incident, or know why he would attempt suicide. What he does know is that his parents are walking on eggshells, his ex-best friend hates him, he's bullied at school, and the harder he tries to speak and make sense of things, the more jumbled his thoughts and speech. With the help of an older woman, Jersey tries to piece together what caused him to pull the trigger.
TRIGGER is a compelling story, about suicide, brain injury, bullying, and forgiving oneself and others. Jersey's brain-damaged voice is brilliantly expressed showing his limitations while still being readable. There was some repetition in his memories that I skimmed over. I wish the writer had spent more time on depression and what caused Jersey to become suicidal, although there was some mention, the topic was glossed over. We never not much insight into the secondary characters, but that would have been hard with the POV used. Still, this is a very good YA novel.
TRIGGER is told from the POV of high school senior Jersey, who has just been released from a rehabilitation facility, recovering from severe brain injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He doesn't remember the incident, or know why he would attempt suicide. What he does know is that his parents are walking on eggshells, his ex-best friend hates him, he's bullied at school, and the harder he tries to speak and make sense of things, the more jumbled his thoughts and speech. With the help of an older woman, Jersey tries to piece together what caused him to pull the trigger.
TRIGGER is a compelling story, about suicide, brain injury, bullying, and forgiving oneself and others. Jersey's brain-damaged voice is brilliantly expressed showing his limitations while still being readable. There was some repetition in his memories that I skimmed over. I wish the writer had spent more time on depression and what caused Jersey to become suicidal, although there was some mention, the topic was glossed over. We never not much insight into the secondary characters, but that would have been hard with the POV used. Still, this is a very good YA novel.
July 1, 2008
We first meet Jersey Hatch on the day he comes home after a year in the hospital. Jersey tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head. Not only does he not remember pulling the trigger, but he has also forgotten the year leading up to the event. Jersey, who had once been a star athlete and honor student, now struggles with physical and mental difficulties. His old friends shun him and his parents don't want to talk about anything important.
With the help of the outspoken, no-nonsense Mama Rush and her granddaughter, Leza, Jersey sets out to unravel the mystery of Before to discover why he tried to kill himself.
Finally, he is left with a choice that no one can make for him. Is it better to end it all or to go on living in the hope that life will get better?
This is not a happy book or an easy one to read, but it is absolutely stunning. And so realistic that I felt like I was inside Jersey's damaged head. If you're a teen, or if you've ever been one, read this book! Frog farts! Hoochie mama!
With the help of the outspoken, no-nonsense Mama Rush and her granddaughter, Leza, Jersey sets out to unravel the mystery of Before to discover why he tried to kill himself.
Finally, he is left with a choice that no one can make for him. Is it better to end it all or to go on living in the hope that life will get better?
This is not a happy book or an easy one to read, but it is absolutely stunning. And so realistic that I felt like I was inside Jersey's damaged head. If you're a teen, or if you've ever been one, read this book! Frog farts! Hoochie mama!
October 20, 2016
Personal Response:
At first this book was very confusing and dull.l, but towards the end it got really good. I really liked it, because I didn't imagine the climax to have such an impact on the book.
Plot Summary:
At the start of the book, Jersey woke up in a mental center. He eventually got to leave the center and return home. For weeks. he has been trying to figure out why he was different than most people and why he had a massive scar on his head. He figures out that he attempted suicide in his room by shooting himself in the head. In the end, he finds the gun that he shot himself with and throws it into the river.
Characterization:
Jersey starts out being very confused about who he is until he starts gaining his memory back. He learns that he will never be the same as the "normal" kids. In the end of the book, Jersey wants to live life to the fullest.
Recommendation:
I really loved this book, because it isn't like any book I've read before. I recommend this book to people above the age of 15 and I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars
At first this book was very confusing and dull.l, but towards the end it got really good. I really liked it, because I didn't imagine the climax to have such an impact on the book.
Plot Summary:
At the start of the book, Jersey woke up in a mental center. He eventually got to leave the center and return home. For weeks. he has been trying to figure out why he was different than most people and why he had a massive scar on his head. He figures out that he attempted suicide in his room by shooting himself in the head. In the end, he finds the gun that he shot himself with and throws it into the river.
Characterization:
Jersey starts out being very confused about who he is until he starts gaining his memory back. He learns that he will never be the same as the "normal" kids. In the end of the book, Jersey wants to live life to the fullest.
Recommendation:
I really loved this book, because it isn't like any book I've read before. I recommend this book to people above the age of 15 and I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars
September 16, 2009
"...maybe the way I break people, they can't ever be fixed."
"Volcanoes. Hot inside. Way, way down inside, flying up, trying to get out...More hot, flying up, about to blow out, about to cover everything in red."
"Fast like a finger-snap, everything went away. Snap. Poof. No insides, no outsides. No hurts or happy or tears or anything. Just nothing. Empty and cold and ice and nothing."
"I'm a ruiner."
-------
I am oddly always amazed at the emotional effects a book has on me simply because of how I was feeling already when I read it. Is it a coincidence I didn't read it the first two times it crossed my path? Or did I simply just need to read it today? Can I remember this?
"Volcanoes. Hot inside. Way, way down inside, flying up, trying to get out...More hot, flying up, about to blow out, about to cover everything in red."
"Fast like a finger-snap, everything went away. Snap. Poof. No insides, no outsides. No hurts or happy or tears or anything. Just nothing. Empty and cold and ice and nothing."
"I'm a ruiner."
-------
I am oddly always amazed at the emotional effects a book has on me simply because of how I was feeling already when I read it. Is it a coincidence I didn't read it the first two times it crossed my path? Or did I simply just need to read it today? Can I remember this?
March 16, 2015
This book was very interesting compared to anything that I've ever read before. I found it really interesting how I almost lived in the mind of a brain damaged genius and experienced everything he went through. It was just at some points I found myself easily lost in what was going on and the book spent too much time on some little topics that I found very boring. I felt like it did this briefly for every chapter and it really slowed down the pace of the book. If u disregard that though I really enjoyed the concept of this book.
April 16, 2015
Be prepared for tearful moments. I wasn't prepared and they hit me like a piano hitting the sidewalk. But also open yourself up for the joyful moments because those are the real highlights of this book. And with any other book with a unique narrative, I started thinking in that narrative style for a whole day before it went away. No regrets.
July 3, 2008
The use of language in this book is intriguing. I'm game for a good downer of a read, but this is perhaps my limit. Not bad, but depressing YA. In the end, I was oddly hoping the kid would kill himself and put everyone out of his misery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2024
I would give it more of 3.5 stars. It was a good book overall but there was not much action and it was a little hard to read because the narrator is the person who has the brain injury but other than that it was good and I was curious the whole time trying to figure out why he pulled the trigger.
March 5, 2009
This book was about a teen who attempts to commit suicide and fails. The book had a lot of promise but just didn't deliver. I started skipping paragraphs and was losing nothing important.
September 26, 2012
The blurb says "darkly funny" and I totally agree. Blowout will surprise you, make you think and make you cry. A beautiful story of love, human trials and... pick it up and have a read.
January 18, 2016
Read it in French, would've been better if I'd read it in English.
November 3, 2017
Fantastic Book!!!!
I'd definitely read more titles by this author. She has such a compassionate take on what it must be like to be a troubled teen. Why do so many teenagers feel that they want to end their lives? This book is about a boy who is unsuccessful in his attempt to kill himself. Throughout the book he is trying to find answers to what happened the year before because his memory of everything surrounding the incident is not clear. Many of the chapters start with a recurring dream about what happened. I found the book almost poetic. I loved the little spurts of language as words pop into his head and he repeats them uncontrollably.
What an eye-opener for the teen set as it exposes what it might be like for someone who has a brain injury whether it is from a gun-shot wound (as in this story), or a stroke or a car accident or even a genetic disorder like Tourettes syndrome. Hopefully it will make kids kinder to those that are struggling with a brain injury.
Perhaps it will also make someone reconsider whether suicide is a selfish action. We see how devastated Jersey's mother and father and friends are by what Jersey has done to their lives. People who are successful at ending their lives aren't around to see the fall-out but since Jersey survives (like many kids do) he is able to see how much he has hurt the people he loves.
I just loved the surrogate grandmother that Jersey visits regularly that helps him heal and make amends. It is wonderful to have a wise-woman in a novel. The author does a great job of portraying all the supporting characters.
5 stars!!!
I'd definitely read more titles by this author. She has such a compassionate take on what it must be like to be a troubled teen. Why do so many teenagers feel that they want to end their lives? This book is about a boy who is unsuccessful in his attempt to kill himself. Throughout the book he is trying to find answers to what happened the year before because his memory of everything surrounding the incident is not clear. Many of the chapters start with a recurring dream about what happened. I found the book almost poetic. I loved the little spurts of language as words pop into his head and he repeats them uncontrollably.
What an eye-opener for the teen set as it exposes what it might be like for someone who has a brain injury whether it is from a gun-shot wound (as in this story), or a stroke or a car accident or even a genetic disorder like Tourettes syndrome. Hopefully it will make kids kinder to those that are struggling with a brain injury.
Perhaps it will also make someone reconsider whether suicide is a selfish action. We see how devastated Jersey's mother and father and friends are by what Jersey has done to their lives. People who are successful at ending their lives aren't around to see the fall-out but since Jersey survives (like many kids do) he is able to see how much he has hurt the people he loves.
I just loved the surrogate grandmother that Jersey visits regularly that helps him heal and make amends. It is wonderful to have a wise-woman in a novel. The author does a great job of portraying all the supporting characters.
5 stars!!!
March 16, 2025
A Book of Courage and Determination... the AUTHOR's
I admit it from the outset: I am a sucker for any author who will try to pull off a demanding and untried approach to writing. And I'm a cheerleader for them if they succeed. (Rah-Rah, Susan Vaught; What a novel you have wrought.)
The five-star reviews before this one have said everything that needs to be said about the storyline of this unusual work. I have chimed in only to lend reassurance to those readers who long for interesting literary mechanics to enliven a strong plot and dialogue. Too many times in these pages reviewers compare the author under assessment to some other author, as though that's the key to revealing the strengths (or weaknesses) of a book. Such a shortcut is unlikely to become a pattern in this case. Comparing "Trigger" or Susan Vaught's presentation of it to ANY other writer would require an agonizing stretch of insight. She faced a daunting challenge in her approach and her point of view in this book, and she has made them live (not always comfortably) in our hearts and minds.
I'll be honest about it: I thought the style would wear thin, and I would struggle to finish this book. I find gimmicks, egocentric flair, and literary conceits irritatingly distracting. And even some gifted writers regularly foist them on us. But the staccato, peripatetic narration by main character Jersey Hatch is no gimmick--as much as we might wish it were. It is instead a constant, swirling reminder of the hell he inhabits and the discomfort we must endure if we will walk with him to whatever awaits. I'm glad, pleased, and satisfied that I stayed the course.
I admit it from the outset: I am a sucker for any author who will try to pull off a demanding and untried approach to writing. And I'm a cheerleader for them if they succeed. (Rah-Rah, Susan Vaught; What a novel you have wrought.)
The five-star reviews before this one have said everything that needs to be said about the storyline of this unusual work. I have chimed in only to lend reassurance to those readers who long for interesting literary mechanics to enliven a strong plot and dialogue. Too many times in these pages reviewers compare the author under assessment to some other author, as though that's the key to revealing the strengths (or weaknesses) of a book. Such a shortcut is unlikely to become a pattern in this case. Comparing "Trigger" or Susan Vaught's presentation of it to ANY other writer would require an agonizing stretch of insight. She faced a daunting challenge in her approach and her point of view in this book, and she has made them live (not always comfortably) in our hearts and minds.
I'll be honest about it: I thought the style would wear thin, and I would struggle to finish this book. I find gimmicks, egocentric flair, and literary conceits irritatingly distracting. And even some gifted writers regularly foist them on us. But the staccato, peripatetic narration by main character Jersey Hatch is no gimmick--as much as we might wish it were. It is instead a constant, swirling reminder of the hell he inhabits and the discomfort we must endure if we will walk with him to whatever awaits. I'm glad, pleased, and satisfied that I stayed the course.
December 24, 2017
Vaught, Susan Trigger 290 p. - Language: PG; Sexual Content: G, Violence: G -
This book is about a kid who shot himself but did not succeed in his attempted suicide. He has major brain damage, and most of the kids at school see him as the new "freak." The book is about his struggle and journey to go back to school for his senior year and trying to figure out why he did it. I enjoyed reading this book. It was really well written considering it is in first person. It might be a little harder for seventh grade students and below, but I think it is well worth the time for older students. I would recommend this for school libraries.
MS, HS - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer: JH
What I enjoyed most about this novel is that it shows the danger of spinning little problems out of control – making them so important that they overwhelm everything else. -Cindy
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2007/...
This book is about a kid who shot himself but did not succeed in his attempted suicide. He has major brain damage, and most of the kids at school see him as the new "freak." The book is about his struggle and journey to go back to school for his senior year and trying to figure out why he did it. I enjoyed reading this book. It was really well written considering it is in first person. It might be a little harder for seventh grade students and below, but I think it is well worth the time for older students. I would recommend this for school libraries.
MS, HS - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer: JH
What I enjoyed most about this novel is that it shows the danger of spinning little problems out of control – making them so important that they overwhelm everything else. -Cindy
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2007/...
June 16, 2018
Due to some personal experience with suicide in the family and brain "damage" in the family, this book was a brutal read for me. It tore me up and made me so frustrated, but at the same time I couldn't put it down because it was really compelling. The characterization, mystery, and storytelling were all A++, and Jersey is so lovable (also, I loved how the story put us inside the head of someone with brain damage and helped us see what it's like to be that "odd" person who sort of startles and alarms others with their unpredictability...this is really helpful for understanding and empathy!). It was just a hard and painful read. And I'm not sure I loved the solution to the mystery, though I did like the way it ended. Overall, I give Trigger 5 stars for craft and maybe 1-2 stars for (my subjective) reader enjoyment.
December 26, 2018
If you're looking for a thriller: this book ain't one. If you're looking for a book about the aftermath of a failed suicide including the topic of living with a severe brain injury: this is the one.
It felt partly painfully slow but so is the reality of recovering from such an event. There are some lovely characters, some prejudices, parents in pain, some riddles. It's a mess as it should be.
Only two stars because I've personally had a hard time continuing to read it because it moves s o s l o w l y . I feel there are books/writers that would Do It better, for me, personally. It's well written though, so as always, it's your choice to read it or not.
It felt partly painfully slow but so is the reality of recovering from such an event. There are some lovely characters, some prejudices, parents in pain, some riddles. It's a mess as it should be.
Only two stars because I've personally had a hard time continuing to read it because it moves s o s l o w l y . I feel there are books/writers that would Do It better, for me, personally. It's well written though, so as always, it's your choice to read it or not.
January 20, 2023
Everything about this book was amazing. I couldn’t stop reading (despite having work to go to bright and early) it was so good. It felt raw and real, and super realistic to life. I love the relationship dynamics that I saw. The author is just incredible! I will say, though, that one thing that bothered me a lot was how it felt like his reasons for committing suicide were under developed in the story, and the author didn’t go into them enough. It seemed to just be a cursory glance over why he committed suicide in the first place.
October 18, 2017
I thought that this was a good book and that it offered an interesting and unique perspective for a really specific type of person. It was cool to go through and figure out what the character found out and that was the whole purpose of the book. It is a little boring and the end was kind of a let down but otherwise an interesting read.
February 2, 2021
Overall I think that this book is good. You get to see a perspective of someone going through a mental illness and what it’s like going through daily life as that person. In the end it has made me think about my support system and whether or not it could support me should I ever go through a mental health disorder that would make me suicidal like how Jersey had experienced.
February 14, 2023
Please, please please. If you want to help young people understand more about suicide, share this book with them. Then go get that miserable book, 13 Reasons Why, and throw it in the garbage. Seriously. I'm a librarian and would rarely say that about a book but children should be protected from that irresponsible story.
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