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Burden of Breath
Hannah Dyer’s crazy mother was abusive and an alcoholic. At the age of sixty she adopted an infant, and now that she’s dead, Hannah must raise the child. But fighting the effects of severe burns sustained in childhood may be all that Hannah can manage. Defined and alienated by both emotional and physical scars, Hannah fears that she might be abusive and crazy, too.
Burden of Breath alternates between the intervening years since the fire and the present as Hannah struggles to separate from her mother’s crippling influence - even from the grave. Anger and isolation force Hannah to confront her emotional and physical damage, and she transforms her life in ways she could never have imagined.
Burden of Breath alternates between the intervening years since the fire and the present as Hannah struggles to separate from her mother’s crippling influence - even from the grave. Anger and isolation force Hannah to confront her emotional and physical damage, and she transforms her life in ways she could never have imagined.
360 pages, ebook
First published April 20, 2013
216 people are currently reading
770 people want to read
About the author
Ann Minnett
5 books12 followersAnn Minnett is a writer and developmental psychologist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 6, 2013
I won't lie, I'm in awe of authors. I don't know how they come up with the stories they write. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a novel, not a memoir. I finished this book and know that I won't soon forget it.
The characters are very well developed, the scenes are graphic but not horrific. The details of Hannah's abuse are hinted at and finally revealed but in a way that eases you into the reality of it. And I sat there with my mouth open....wondering how someone could come up with this story!
There were times when I would have walked away from Hannah, because she's self destructive. Other times when I wanted to hold her and protect her.
All I can say is bravo, Ann Minnett!!!
The characters are very well developed, the scenes are graphic but not horrific. The details of Hannah's abuse are hinted at and finally revealed but in a way that eases you into the reality of it. And I sat there with my mouth open....wondering how someone could come up with this story!
There were times when I would have walked away from Hannah, because she's self destructive. Other times when I wanted to hold her and protect her.
All I can say is bravo, Ann Minnett!!!
March 3, 2014
I found this book to be deeply disturbing. I was shocked to find out that the heroines mother was a pedophile, and I was even more shocked that anyone would give a crap that she may or may not have tried to redeem her behavior before she died. I don't care if the mom came up with the cure for freaking cancer! There is no way in Hell that anything that she did later in life made up for what she had done to her daughter. What was the message here exactly?
All the self-righteous idiots thought that the mom was a good person despite the fact that there were signs that she was not right in the head. Really? I also believe that the author should have mentioned the fact that there's both physical AND sexual abuse. Had I known that I would be reading a book that came off as almost sympathetic towards a child molester I never would have picked it up. I need brain bleach STAT!
All the self-righteous idiots thought that the mom was a good person despite the fact that there were signs that she was not right in the head. Really? I also believe that the author should have mentioned the fact that there's both physical AND sexual abuse. Had I known that I would be reading a book that came off as almost sympathetic towards a child molester I never would have picked it up. I need brain bleach STAT!
September 23, 2013
Such a depressing read
There was nothing about this story that I found captivating or enjoyable. I'm usually a fan of darker reads, but with this one, upon completion, I was just left thinking "WTF". And not in a good way.
This was a book detailing the cycle of abuse, and I was hoping it was a tale of survival and overcoming demons etc. No such luck.
Also, this is one of those books that go back and forth between the present and the past. I'm not really a fan of plots like this.
Overall, I wish I hadn't even wasted my time with this read. I like dark reads, but I also like some closure and resolution upon completion. This just left me feeling frustrated.
There was nothing about this story that I found captivating or enjoyable. I'm usually a fan of darker reads, but with this one, upon completion, I was just left thinking "WTF". And not in a good way.
This was a book detailing the cycle of abuse, and I was hoping it was a tale of survival and overcoming demons etc. No such luck.
Also, this is one of those books that go back and forth between the present and the past. I'm not really a fan of plots like this.
Overall, I wish I hadn't even wasted my time with this read. I like dark reads, but I also like some closure and resolution upon completion. This just left me feeling frustrated.
June 10, 2013
Wow. Are we absolutely sure this is her first book? This was so well written. Woven, really. The characters & the way they meshed was fantastic. The storyline, how she released just a little bit of information at a time, allowing the reader to piece together the story. I was REALLY impressed w/this book. I look forward to reading more of this author.
July 21, 2013
Deeply psychological story of growing up and turning out exactly like the person you hated.
June 13, 2013
This is a story of a young women who has been scarred physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, she preservers and makes a life for herself, albeit, a lonely one with only her dogs and her kind neighbors to lean on.
When her world is rocked by her mother's death, she must face again the brutal memories of her younger years and the anger those feelings rekindle. When she goes to where her late mother lived, she is dismayed and appalled to learn her mother had adopted a young girl child. It is assumed that Hannah will care for the child, but Hannah has all she can do to hang on to her own life, must less take care of a child. She fears she might follow in her mother's footsteps and become abusive or crazy.
As she struggles to deal with her physical and emotional scars, Hannah gradually begins to let others into her world of isolation. Will she find the strength to do the right thing for the child? In the end, will she reach out to others and transform her life by learning to trust others and her own capacity for love? Will the one person she believes in the most betray her?
This book is not one I will soon forget. Hannah's reckoning of her heart and soul and mind is a difficult journey for all. The ending twist is one I did not see coming, and it blew me away. I hope there is a sequel planned by this talented new author.
When her world is rocked by her mother's death, she must face again the brutal memories of her younger years and the anger those feelings rekindle. When she goes to where her late mother lived, she is dismayed and appalled to learn her mother had adopted a young girl child. It is assumed that Hannah will care for the child, but Hannah has all she can do to hang on to her own life, must less take care of a child. She fears she might follow in her mother's footsteps and become abusive or crazy.
As she struggles to deal with her physical and emotional scars, Hannah gradually begins to let others into her world of isolation. Will she find the strength to do the right thing for the child? In the end, will she reach out to others and transform her life by learning to trust others and her own capacity for love? Will the one person she believes in the most betray her?
This book is not one I will soon forget. Hannah's reckoning of her heart and soul and mind is a difficult journey for all. The ending twist is one I did not see coming, and it blew me away. I hope there is a sequel planned by this talented new author.
May 2, 2014
I started and finished this book in the same day -- I had a hard time putting it down because it was so compelling.
The story effectively bounces between two different timelines to uncover all sides of the story. The character development is fantastic -- the two main characters (mother and daughter) are revealed in layers that mold them into real human beings with both flaws and redeeming qualities.
I got completely sucked into the novel -- I got mad at the daughter for some of her actions and decisions, I gasped at some of the mother's actions, felt a deep sadness for both mother and daughter for situations that weren't entirely of their own making. A complex, compelling, dark novel.
The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the ending, which I won't give away, but the very last part throws a "WTF" moment at the reader from out of the blue. Also, I could have used a little more rounding out in the ending -- especially compared to the rest of the book, detail was a little scarce and I would have loved more (though, I'll say that the story didn't suffer because of it, I just wanted MORE).
The story effectively bounces between two different timelines to uncover all sides of the story. The character development is fantastic -- the two main characters (mother and daughter) are revealed in layers that mold them into real human beings with both flaws and redeeming qualities.
I got completely sucked into the novel -- I got mad at the daughter for some of her actions and decisions, I gasped at some of the mother's actions, felt a deep sadness for both mother and daughter for situations that weren't entirely of their own making. A complex, compelling, dark novel.
The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is the ending, which I won't give away, but the very last part throws a "WTF" moment at the reader from out of the blue. Also, I could have used a little more rounding out in the ending -- especially compared to the rest of the book, detail was a little scarce and I would have loved more (though, I'll say that the story didn't suffer because of it, I just wanted MORE).
September 21, 2013
While I know there are really bad, sick mothers out there, and some / many adults grow up scarred and shattered never really able to get past the anger of their childhood torment, I am not 100% sure I found this story all together believable. I am also not too sure that those bad, sick mothers are so inclined to try to redeem and so good at it! However, it was a compelling read and fairly well written in terms of plot consistency and character development. I will say, it did keep me guessing. For a while I was sure that it would have the standard sugar sweet happy ending. Then I was not so sure at all. I'll not tell you so you can find out for yourself if you are so inclined.
November 12, 2014
This is hard book to read and review, I think it is well written, but I feel conflicting by whether or not Hannah is hated or loved by the author. It is the one drawback in this moving book, that Hannah is an awful person because of what she suffered and then to feel like she should forgive the abuser is a bit strange, but I guess you have to forgive to move on. other than that this is a unforgettable story of hurt sadness and strength all rolled into one. I think the author is an amazing writer with a lot to say in a way that connects deeply with readers.
May 8, 2016
Ann Minnett's writing style is annoyingly disjointed with many awkward transitions from one paragraph to the next. The back and forth between past and present do not flow smoothly and make reading wearisome. The subject matter of abuse, alcoholism, and survival fail to arouse the emotions I would normally feel when reading such a tale of hardship and endurance. The characters are hard to take, the only truly sympathetic one being the child, Marisol. I pushed through to the end, hoping for something uplifting, some form of optimism, but there wasn't anything close, just despondency.
January 17, 2015
I read about half of Burden of Breath before giving up on it. I couldn't figure out who any of the characters were or how they related to any of the other characters. There was just endless dialog with no discernible story line. B-o-r-i-n-g
March 12, 2015
Did I just read a diary?
Sadly this book portrays a realistic reality of abuse .I did not care for the back and forth reflections of the characters it felt more like reading an irritating diary.
Sadly this book portrays a realistic reality of abuse .I did not care for the back and forth reflections of the characters it felt more like reading an irritating diary.
July 12, 2013
Loved the book. Can't believe his is your first book , Ann. Love the characters and how they all meshed.
June 26, 2019
Apparently, I downloaded this book back in 2013. Why I didn’t read it sooner, I really don’t know, but I’m glad I finally came across it on my over-loaded Kindle.
This is a powerful psychological drama concerning a young woman who is damaged in just about every possible way. You may not always like her or her actions, but Hannah’s story makes compelling reading. Her early physical and mental abuse from her mother leads her to willing self-deception that is destructive and threatens to ruin her life – and almost does.
At first I had my doubts about the alternating first and third person narratives, but soon got used to the style and the different facets were necessary to make up the whole story. In fact the story was very well-written, and with an almost naked honesty in the way the author allows the truths to be revealed. However, that said, it does stretch credibility slightly too far at times. That Hannah’s mother, given her history and at the age of 60, would be allowed to adopt a child alone is probably the most far-fetched of the plotlines we are expected to accept.
Nevertheless, it’s a gripping, worthwhile read from an author I shall certainly look out for in the future.
This is a powerful psychological drama concerning a young woman who is damaged in just about every possible way. You may not always like her or her actions, but Hannah’s story makes compelling reading. Her early physical and mental abuse from her mother leads her to willing self-deception that is destructive and threatens to ruin her life – and almost does.
At first I had my doubts about the alternating first and third person narratives, but soon got used to the style and the different facets were necessary to make up the whole story. In fact the story was very well-written, and with an almost naked honesty in the way the author allows the truths to be revealed. However, that said, it does stretch credibility slightly too far at times. That Hannah’s mother, given her history and at the age of 60, would be allowed to adopt a child alone is probably the most far-fetched of the plotlines we are expected to accept.
Nevertheless, it’s a gripping, worthwhile read from an author I shall certainly look out for in the future.
January 4, 2020
I'm not sure what to think of this story. Through the unreliable narrator, Hannah, we see first hand the cycle of abuse being repeated unconsciously. The lawyer handling Hannah's estranged mother Nina's estate contacts her, at which point she learns she has a younger adopted sister. She goes to Colorado at the lawyer's insistence.
I found the behavior of her mother's new friends extremely odd, instantly assuming that of course Hannah would raise her sister - even though they'd never met Hannah since Nina had lived there, and knew she and her mother were estranged. Hannah was constantly disappointing these people or feeling that she was. The story more than hinted that Nina was a pedophile, but never resolved the point, and again, Nina's entourage seems to think she was a saint, and Hannah didn't really help them correct that viewpoint as she suffers under their outlook.
I found the behavior of her mother's new friends extremely odd, instantly assuming that of course Hannah would raise her sister - even though they'd never met Hannah since Nina had lived there, and knew she and her mother were estranged. Hannah was constantly disappointing these people or feeling that she was. The story more than hinted that Nina was a pedophile, but never resolved the point, and again, Nina's entourage seems to think she was a saint, and Hannah didn't really help them correct that viewpoint as she suffers under their outlook.
June 22, 2018
An alcholic mother,and crazy pedophile, why? .....how can her daughter Hannah survive this without becoming an emotional mess as well. I hated reading this but was compelled to read til the end.
Very well written, I liked the back and forth in time and the mother and daughters memories.
Hannah not feeling worthy of being loved or even liked because of her disfigurement. Who caused it? It was worth the read but must admit I had to read over a period of a week because of the emotional content. Would only recommend if one likes psychological drama. Good writing!
Very well written, I liked the back and forth in time and the mother and daughters memories.
Hannah not feeling worthy of being loved or even liked because of her disfigurement. Who caused it? It was worth the read but must admit I had to read over a period of a week because of the emotional content. Would only recommend if one likes psychological drama. Good writing!
February 16, 2018
The culpable mind
I normally wouldn't read this type of book but once I started ,I felt I had to continue. Hannah's issues with her past give you a glimpse into how complex lives can be. Her characters seem real . The story seems real. You get involved in their lives. This is not a light read and the subject matter is not for everyone. You might feel inclined to be introspective while reading this.
I normally wouldn't read this type of book but once I started ,I felt I had to continue. Hannah's issues with her past give you a glimpse into how complex lives can be. Her characters seem real . The story seems real. You get involved in their lives. This is not a light read and the subject matter is not for everyone. You might feel inclined to be introspective while reading this.
April 15, 2020
Interesting struggle dissected, not something typical. I enjoyed it for the most part. It really frustrated me, however, that an integral truth - central to the story - wasn't much probed nor ultimately addressed. It would have improved the story so much and helped the reader resolve their own misunderstandings. Seeing a revelation, that truth given air time, would have improved satisfaction with the story's end.
August 26, 2017
For her first book, all I can say is, please write more, Ann Minnett. This book was so good. I couldn't put it down once I started. There was so much emotion throughout this book, I had trouble finishing because I was crying so hard. If you like psychological dramas and books dealing with mental illness, read this book. I'm hoping for more books with these issues from this author.
August 11, 2019
This was an interesting book. It was full of emotion and what happens in child abuse. It seemed to show that everyone has good in them despite their faults. The character's were great. I had so many feelings that I felt while reading this book. I was left with thinking there needs to be more to the story. Maybe there will be another book?
April 16, 2019
An interesting reading. I was eager to finish the book because I want to know how it ended. And I think it ended well. An engaging story of human experiences, emotions and conflicts. The story was well told.
January 9, 2020
Awesome author
This story grabs you and does not let go beyond the last page. It’s spot on depicting dysfunctional families and the sometimes uncomfortable to some subject of child abuse. Bravo
This story grabs you and does not let go beyond the last page. It’s spot on depicting dysfunctional families and the sometimes uncomfortable to some subject of child abuse. Bravo
December 4, 2018
This book is about Hannah and her abusive mother.
October 4, 2019
We have met the enemy, and she is us
Be very cautious when hating your mother. The day might come when you look in the mirror and see her face.
Be very cautious when hating your mother. The day might come when you look in the mirror and see her face.
May 2, 2020
Great story
Wow! This book was powerful! It was sad in places and scary too.a brilliant first try .i,s definitely read more of her work!
Wow! This book was powerful! It was sad in places and scary too.a brilliant first try .i,s definitely read more of her work!
September 8, 2015
This was a very difficult story for me to right a review about. It definitely is four stars...but I so disliked this story. It was very heavy and emotionally draining to read and it put me in a deep, dark mood for several days. In fact, I wasn't able to read another book for almost two weeks after I read this book.
That's the kind of emotions that it invoked in me. If you are sensitive to intense feelings, I would suggest you avoid this book....no matter how well it is written.
This was probably one of the toughest reads I've had in a long while. I didn't have an issue with the writing style; I had an issue with the content. It was a roller-coaster ride -- emotionally and mentally. I went from loving to hating to loving and finally back to hating and it never really recovered from there. Of I had known exactly what this book was about I would have never read it; as it was, I was blindsided by the reveal that happened so far into the book that I had to finish it (or maybe felt compelled to finish it.) In hindsight, I think I knew it was leading up to the reveal, but my never-ending hope really wanted a different outcome.
The back and forth narrative of the characters did not bother me at all. It felt genuine and flowed well. My main issue was the theme. This is not escapism. It's not fun. It almost feels like true crime. If that's OK for your reading pleasure: you will love this book. It's constructed well and the characters are people one really cares about and wants to get to know better (aside: of all the characters, I don't think Ben was developed enough. I never completely understood his overly passionate responses. Also, there were several throw-away characters that just filled up space and didn't do anything for the story--they should have been edited out. Those extra characters actually confused me and made me lose the thread a few times.)
However, for me, it leaves me debating whether this is a two or three star book. I'm emotionally wrecked at the end of this book. (My partner even railed on me for getting so involved in it.) And the ending, though it showed some hope, wasn't developed enough to heal my devastated heart. This is not a happy story. Maybe it did end happy, but my heart was damaged from it and the transition to the end wasn't developed like the rest of the story.
Four stars. (But personally for me: two and a half stars. If the transition at the end was smoother, a solid three.)
That's the kind of emotions that it invoked in me. If you are sensitive to intense feelings, I would suggest you avoid this book....no matter how well it is written.
This was probably one of the toughest reads I've had in a long while. I didn't have an issue with the writing style; I had an issue with the content. It was a roller-coaster ride -- emotionally and mentally. I went from loving to hating to loving and finally back to hating and it never really recovered from there. Of I had known exactly what this book was about I would have never read it; as it was, I was blindsided by the reveal that happened so far into the book that I had to finish it (or maybe felt compelled to finish it.) In hindsight, I think I knew it was leading up to the reveal, but my never-ending hope really wanted a different outcome.
The back and forth narrative of the characters did not bother me at all. It felt genuine and flowed well. My main issue was the theme. This is not escapism. It's not fun. It almost feels like true crime. If that's OK for your reading pleasure: you will love this book. It's constructed well and the characters are people one really cares about and wants to get to know better (aside: of all the characters, I don't think Ben was developed enough. I never completely understood his overly passionate responses. Also, there were several throw-away characters that just filled up space and didn't do anything for the story--they should have been edited out. Those extra characters actually confused me and made me lose the thread a few times.)
However, for me, it leaves me debating whether this is a two or three star book. I'm emotionally wrecked at the end of this book. (My partner even railed on me for getting so involved in it.) And the ending, though it showed some hope, wasn't developed enough to heal my devastated heart. This is not a happy story. Maybe it did end happy, but my heart was damaged from it and the transition to the end wasn't developed like the rest of the story.
Four stars. (But personally for me: two and a half stars. If the transition at the end was smoother, a solid three.)
June 14, 2015
This book was very compelling and thought provoking. It showed the ugly truth of abuse from both sides - the multi-generational cycle, the acting out or acting in (or both!) of an abused person, the manipulative behavior of the abuser, the self-preserving behaviors of the abused, the many forms abuse can take, and how the cycle can be continued even with the best intentions to stop it. This book also showed the ugly effects of alcoholism, mental illness, and suppressing instead of facing your demons. YES, I thought the town people were judgmental and expected too much of Hannah. Did they even try to get to know Hannah beyond what they learned from Nina? YES, I thought the people who knew of or suspected Nina's abusive behaviors failed both Hannah and Marisol by not reporting it or facing it head on. Nina told Lola what she had done to Hannah. Chick saw the lid for the crib. Hannah might have mindlessly shut Marisol in a pantry, but Julia saw Nina acting inappropriately with Marisol and never said anything to anyone. Why is one selfish or neglectful behavior more or less acceptable in this story than the others when all of their choices to turn a blind eye (except in Hannah's case) could have lead to imminent danger? YES, I thought there was a better way to help Hannah face her past, her present, and her future. And, most importantly, YES!, I thought the author wrote into each character the good, the bad, and the ugly truths of being human!! NOBODY was perfect. NOBODY did the right thing every step of the way. NOBODY was above the consequences of their chosen behaviors. And, EVERYONE had to learn their own lessons in their own way and in their own time.
July 17, 2013
This is a story of a young women who has been scarred physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yet, she preservers and makes a life for herself, albeit, a lonely one with only her dogs and her kind neighbors to lean on.
When her world is rocked by her mother's death, she must face again the brutal memories of her younger years and the anger those feelings rekindle. When she goes to where her late mother lived, she is dismayed and appalled to learn her mother had adopted a young girl child. It is assumed that Hannah will care for the child, but Hannah has all she can do to hang on to her own life, must less take care of a child. She fears she might follow in her mother's footsteps and become abusive or crazy.
As she struggles to deal with her physical and emotional scars, Hannah gradually begins to let others into her world of isolation. Will she find the strength to do the right thing for the child? In the end, will she reach out to others and transform her life by learning to trust others and her own capacity for love? Will the one person she believes in the most betray her?
This book is not one I will soon forget. Hannah's reckoning of her heart and soul and mind is a difficult journey for all. The ending twist is one I did not see coming, and it blew me away. I hope there is a sequel planned by this talented new author.
When her world is rocked by her mother's death, she must face again the brutal memories of her younger years and the anger those feelings rekindle. When she goes to where her late mother lived, she is dismayed and appalled to learn her mother had adopted a young girl child. It is assumed that Hannah will care for the child, but Hannah has all she can do to hang on to her own life, must less take care of a child. She fears she might follow in her mother's footsteps and become abusive or crazy.
As she struggles to deal with her physical and emotional scars, Hannah gradually begins to let others into her world of isolation. Will she find the strength to do the right thing for the child? In the end, will she reach out to others and transform her life by learning to trust others and her own capacity for love? Will the one person she believes in the most betray her?
This book is not one I will soon forget. Hannah's reckoning of her heart and soul and mind is a difficult journey for all. The ending twist is one I did not see coming, and it blew me away. I hope there is a sequel planned by this talented new author.
September 16, 2013
Child abuse and burn survivor Hannah is scarred physically and emotionally from from the hands of her mentally ill and alcoholic mother Nina. Hannah receives a call from her estranged mother's lawyer informing her of Nina's death...and that Hannah has been named guardian to the four-year-old adopted sister she knows nothing about. Hannah's biggest fear is that she'll become her mother, that she's inherited Nina's mental illness.
I can't decide whether I liked BURDEN OF BREATH. The parts of this heavy novel that I did enjoy were done exceptionally well. Writer Ann Minnett, a developmental psychologist, is masterful in her flashback scenes of Nina's therapy sessions while hospitalized in a long term psychiatric facility, using the doctor's brief notes to emphasize Nina's pathology. We are also privy to some of the reasons why she's become so narcissistic. Minnett writes with an ease of flow that makes BURDEN hard to put down.
But, Hannah is harsh, judgmental and at times down right mean to people who show her kindness. While her aloofness is easy to understand, it also makes her hard to root for and empathize with. I have a hard time enjoying novels when I want to repeatedly shake the main character. Her meanness and drinking made her almost unsympathetic, despite her tragic history.
I can't decide whether I liked BURDEN OF BREATH. The parts of this heavy novel that I did enjoy were done exceptionally well. Writer Ann Minnett, a developmental psychologist, is masterful in her flashback scenes of Nina's therapy sessions while hospitalized in a long term psychiatric facility, using the doctor's brief notes to emphasize Nina's pathology. We are also privy to some of the reasons why she's become so narcissistic. Minnett writes with an ease of flow that makes BURDEN hard to put down.
But, Hannah is harsh, judgmental and at times down right mean to people who show her kindness. While her aloofness is easy to understand, it also makes her hard to root for and empathize with. I have a hard time enjoying novels when I want to repeatedly shake the main character. Her meanness and drinking made her almost unsympathetic, despite her tragic history.
April 22, 2014
Difficult, but rather true...
After a very short while, I realized where the book would end, but getting there was an interesting experience. The plot was a standard plot, but by dividing the development into the views of the different characters, the author kept some of the more trite situations from controlling the life of the story. While the story could easily be about the damage Hannah lived with physically, the ending created a much deeper story, with a strong point toward the difficulties of actual recovery from any type of addiction - and subtly points out that we can be addicted to a lot more than drugs or alcohol. And that the individual experiences of each of us can completely destroy our ability to correctly identify what drives other people. The author has tremendous insight into the pieces of the human condition. Except for the story-book ending, I enjoyed the book. The ending left me feeling a little like I just finished a romance. Maybe, in a way, I did. Just a very complicated one.
After a very short while, I realized where the book would end, but getting there was an interesting experience. The plot was a standard plot, but by dividing the development into the views of the different characters, the author kept some of the more trite situations from controlling the life of the story. While the story could easily be about the damage Hannah lived with physically, the ending created a much deeper story, with a strong point toward the difficulties of actual recovery from any type of addiction - and subtly points out that we can be addicted to a lot more than drugs or alcohol. And that the individual experiences of each of us can completely destroy our ability to correctly identify what drives other people. The author has tremendous insight into the pieces of the human condition. Except for the story-book ending, I enjoyed the book. The ending left me feeling a little like I just finished a romance. Maybe, in a way, I did. Just a very complicated one.
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