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Persistence
一个伤感而幽默的故事，
一段悲喜交杂的爱情。
一支摇滚乐队，
带着一个艰难求生的女孩，
回归精神的家园。
女孩霍莉貌美如花却命运多舛，三岁时母亲自杀，从此就尝尽了人间冷暖、世情炎凉。
一个偶然的机会，霍莉与摇滚人特雷弗在酒吧一见钟情，从此跟着特雷弗到世界各地巡演，她将亲历摇滚音乐人什么样的生活？霍莉对特雷弗隐藏了自己的心理隐疾，她将如何与特雷弗朝夕厮守才能不露原形？眼看幸福指日可待，一场潜伏已久的变故，伴随着挥之不去的梦魇，让一切化为泡影。霍莉能否打破命运的魔咒重拾幸福？还是像母亲当年一样踏上不归路？
美国畅销情感类小说作家——尼尔•嘉文，以忧郁的笔调，细腻的文风，深刻而独到的心理剖析，带领读者走入霍莉的内心世界，感受她煎熬挣扎中无坚不摧的执着，脆弱无助时永不磨灭的渴望。小说的结局出人意表，在霍莉跨越时空的娓娓诉说中，留下了千帆过尽后的怅惘与唏嘘。
《坚持》一书获得活在当下图书奖（Living Now Book Awards）银奖，并被红专书评（Red Adept Reviews）选为精选书目，认为其“风格独树一帜”。
尼尔•嘉文是美国畅销情感类小说作家，其作品《纠缠：安•波林的重生》（Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn），获威廉•福克纳大赛最佳小说奖提名。
尼尔•嘉文出生&
一段悲喜交杂的爱情。
一支摇滚乐队，
带着一个艰难求生的女孩，
回归精神的家园。
女孩霍莉貌美如花却命运多舛，三岁时母亲自杀，从此就尝尽了人间冷暖、世情炎凉。
一个偶然的机会，霍莉与摇滚人特雷弗在酒吧一见钟情，从此跟着特雷弗到世界各地巡演，她将亲历摇滚音乐人什么样的生活？霍莉对特雷弗隐藏了自己的心理隐疾，她将如何与特雷弗朝夕厮守才能不露原形？眼看幸福指日可待，一场潜伏已久的变故，伴随着挥之不去的梦魇，让一切化为泡影。霍莉能否打破命运的魔咒重拾幸福？还是像母亲当年一样踏上不归路？
美国畅销情感类小说作家——尼尔•嘉文，以忧郁的笔调，细腻的文风，深刻而独到的心理剖析，带领读者走入霍莉的内心世界，感受她煎熬挣扎中无坚不摧的执着，脆弱无助时永不磨灭的渴望。小说的结局出人意表，在霍莉跨越时空的娓娓诉说中，留下了千帆过尽后的怅惘与唏嘘。
《坚持》一书获得活在当下图书奖（Living Now Book Awards）银奖，并被红专书评（Red Adept Reviews）选为精选书目，认为其“风格独树一帜”。
尼尔•嘉文是美国畅销情感类小说作家，其作品《纠缠：安•波林的重生》（Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn），获威廉•福克纳大赛最佳小说奖提名。
尼尔•嘉文出生&
- GenresFictionContemporary
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2011
3 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Nell Gavin
6 books36 followersI was born in Chicago, raised my family in Texas, and now live in Michigan. I spent a number of years as a technical writer and wrote a couple of novels over the years. Life got hectic, and I went without writing any new books until 60 Minutes ran a story about UFOs on May 16, 2021.
I didn't think the UFOs were built by the Chinese, and I didn't think they were aliens from outer space. I thought the most likely explanation was time travel.
The story captured my imagination for months. I figured they were watching us, and I wondered what they thought about everything they saw from their more "evolved" perspective in the future. I finally gave in and wrote a book, The Historian Project: A Time Travel Catastrophe, which was 100% inspired by that news story.
I didn't think the UFOs were built by the Chinese, and I didn't think they were aliens from outer space. I thought the most likely explanation was time travel.
The story captured my imagination for months. I figured they were watching us, and I wondered what they thought about everything they saw from their more "evolved" perspective in the future. I finally gave in and wrote a book, The Historian Project: A Time Travel Catastrophe, which was 100% inspired by that news story.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 3, 2013
Holly's mother committed suicide when she was 4 yrs old, and was sent to live with her crude Grandmother who also suffered from mental problems, just like her mother. The Grandmother just beat on Holly's psyche terribly. She was brought up being told she was no good, ugly, pathetic, and I could go on. She was never taught self-esteem. so Holly grew up with none. She was a loner at heart, and could not even accept her own beauty.
One day she meets a friend at a new job, and life begins to blossom for Holly.
Although so many new things start for Holly, depression and a fight to suppress some strong emotional feelings, she knew something was wrong with her which she fought to understand. She knew she had to fight it, but wanted to know what it was. Wanted to know why her mother committed suicide and why she fought her own demons.
She met weekly with a Psychiatrist, and I thought it funny in a part where she says she doesn't understand why she does, but at least it gives her someone to talk to.
As I said, after meeting this new girlfriend at work, she started to make more and finally meets Trevor who is a roadie. They go out on the road together traveling from place to place. The longer they are together the harder it is for her to hide her problem - whatever it was.
This book was very engaging to read - instantly, from the moment I started reading it. The pages just flew by faster than I could hit the button on my Kindle. The writing was spectacular and I enjoyed reading this book very much, but it left me feeling strange, and I did not like that, however, the author meant for her writing to do just that.
This author has TALENT! She made us really 'feel' what every character in this book felt. She made us feel each moment, each event, each emotion impeccably.
I highly suggest reading this book. It will take you on a journey of mental illness, but perhaps it teaches us to be more accepting of it as well. This is a great book to get you to feel what mental illness truly feels like. It's not what you like to feel, so go for a ride with this book and really FEEL what it's like. Perhaps it will change your mind if you are very judgmental of people who have these issues. Perhaps you'll learn exactly why you stay away from them, or maybe you'll just see your own fear that 'this could be you' come out in this book. As I said, this author will make you FEEL it.
An outstanding novel.
I received this book for FREE from Red Adept Publishing in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
One day she meets a friend at a new job, and life begins to blossom for Holly.
Although so many new things start for Holly, depression and a fight to suppress some strong emotional feelings, she knew something was wrong with her which she fought to understand. She knew she had to fight it, but wanted to know what it was. Wanted to know why her mother committed suicide and why she fought her own demons.
She met weekly with a Psychiatrist, and I thought it funny in a part where she says she doesn't understand why she does, but at least it gives her someone to talk to.
As I said, after meeting this new girlfriend at work, she started to make more and finally meets Trevor who is a roadie. They go out on the road together traveling from place to place. The longer they are together the harder it is for her to hide her problem - whatever it was.
This book was very engaging to read - instantly, from the moment I started reading it. The pages just flew by faster than I could hit the button on my Kindle. The writing was spectacular and I enjoyed reading this book very much, but it left me feeling strange, and I did not like that, however, the author meant for her writing to do just that.
This author has TALENT! She made us really 'feel' what every character in this book felt. She made us feel each moment, each event, each emotion impeccably.
I highly suggest reading this book. It will take you on a journey of mental illness, but perhaps it teaches us to be more accepting of it as well. This is a great book to get you to feel what mental illness truly feels like. It's not what you like to feel, so go for a ride with this book and really FEEL what it's like. Perhaps it will change your mind if you are very judgmental of people who have these issues. Perhaps you'll learn exactly why you stay away from them, or maybe you'll just see your own fear that 'this could be you' come out in this book. As I said, this author will make you FEEL it.
An outstanding novel.
I received this book for FREE from Red Adept Publishing in exchange to read and write a review about it. It is NOT required for this review to be either positive or negative, but of my own honest opinion. “Free” means I was provided with ZERO MONIES to read this book nor to write this review, but to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
February 9, 2012
"Hang On" takes us inside the life of a character with mental health issues. The kind of problems Holly has aren’t uncommon; I’d venture a guess most people know someone who has problems with depression, panic attacks, or who has issues with self esteem or abandonment due to past experiences. While a fair amount of the story weaves in a thread involving romance that at times is chick-lit-like, the real story is in Holly’s internal struggles.
A feeling I’ve had for a long time is that one of the best things about a good book is that it puts you in someone else’s skin as a way to work through what life might be like for the character and, by extension, friends and family with some of the same characteristics. This was one of those books.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
A feeling I’ve had for a long time is that one of the best things about a good book is that it puts you in someone else’s skin as a way to work through what life might be like for the character and, by extension, friends and family with some of the same characteristics. This was one of those books.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
March 23, 2012
originally appeared on:Bookshelf Confessions
*from member giveaway program*
from the word hang on the story started..
Nell Gavin beautifully depicts a normal persons life-well not normal in the sense that she's isolated from others..
it would give you insights how other people's lives are, especially those whom you neglected..
the story is ever-flowing, wonderful and well-written that will surely lure you to the depths of the heart and human society and that sometimes..mistakes are actually worth to know that you did your best..
the characters are unique and realistic that would surely take a place in your heart...wonderful book!
*from member giveaway program*
from the word hang on the story started..
Nell Gavin beautifully depicts a normal persons life-well not normal in the sense that she's isolated from others..
it would give you insights how other people's lives are, especially those whom you neglected..
the story is ever-flowing, wonderful and well-written that will surely lure you to the depths of the heart and human society and that sometimes..mistakes are actually worth to know that you did your best..
the characters are unique and realistic that would surely take a place in your heart...wonderful book!
September 10, 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a fast read, a book you don't want to put down as you follow the often troubled life of Holley, who struggles to find acceptance and love, mainly love for herself. Being a big rock fan I loved reading about the life on the road for a band and their groupies. Highly recommend.
February 9, 2013
Blog tour stop Feb. 11
Review of Hang On by Nell Gavin
4 stars
Holly Salvino is the product of a mother with periods of severe depression and a father she never knew, who left before her first birthday. Her grandmother is a harridan, and probably a large part of the source of Holly’s mother’s mental issues. Certainly she contributed to Holly’s anxiety and depression, since the child went to live with her at age four, following her mother’s suicide. Holly is beautiful, which actually makes her more standoffish; growing up as she has, she doesn’t have social skill sets for women or men. A friend and co-worker, Angie, introducers to the world of backstage rock-and-roll, and her first encounter with an English roadie, Trevor, is like mutual alchemy creating the Philospher’s Stone and transmuting dross into gold. The problem is, can Holly truly rise above her background and the former molding of her character, and become the “normal” type of person she desires to be?
Review of Hang On by Nell Gavin
4 stars
Holly Salvino is the product of a mother with periods of severe depression and a father she never knew, who left before her first birthday. Her grandmother is a harridan, and probably a large part of the source of Holly’s mother’s mental issues. Certainly she contributed to Holly’s anxiety and depression, since the child went to live with her at age four, following her mother’s suicide. Holly is beautiful, which actually makes her more standoffish; growing up as she has, she doesn’t have social skill sets for women or men. A friend and co-worker, Angie, introducers to the world of backstage rock-and-roll, and her first encounter with an English roadie, Trevor, is like mutual alchemy creating the Philospher’s Stone and transmuting dross into gold. The problem is, can Holly truly rise above her background and the former molding of her character, and become the “normal” type of person she desires to be?
November 30, 2011
Nell has created characters that are very real in their fears and hopes. The story is about Holly who is a young woman who is fighting to survive on her own. She has her own inner demons to fight with while facing the challenges of everyday life. She left a cruel grandmother and is now struggling to make ends meet. Until one day she meets Trevor a roadie with a famous band. Suddly Holly feels that she can have a real life and family and a home. But can she overcome her depression and her eccentricities to find Love?
A story worth reading and holding on to..
A story worth reading and holding on to..
May 28, 2012
After her mother commits suicide , Holly is sent to live w/ her abusive grandmother. Feeling rejected by everyone from a young age she struggles to feel normal and to have what she considers a normal life. When she meets a roadie names Trevor it is an instant connection but she knows there is no way that they could be togther because of her feelings of instability. Good story and well written reminiscent of Russel Crows Almost Famous and not a bad way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
December 4, 2013
HANG ON is a real page turner. You immediately get vested in Holly’s life. You cheer when she finally lets Trevor into her heart (one careful step at a time). Your heart hearts when Holly suffers due to her mental state. But what I really found fascinating was the back story about touring with a famous British rock band. Nell Gavin describes what I always wondered. What was it like to be a groupie in the 70’s? What were the tour and the backstage scene really like….
December 30, 2014
You can find this on my blog too:
http://www.reading-is-dreaming-with-o...
This review contains references to the story but they won't spoil you. :)
I was provided a free e-book in exchange of an honest review.
I have mixed feelings... on one hand it was something new to me. Most books I've read about mental illness were much lighter than Hang On thus I could relate to the struggling character(s) better because they were more ordinary, meanwhile Holly's problems seemed more real but I couldn't relate to her because I can hardly imagine thinking the way she did. From the very first page I felt the need to take notes because even back then I felt this novel will leave me without a wholly-formed opinion. So my review is a bit more detailed than ever before.
The Story-line:
The story started off magically good, I liked the writing style and felt sorry for little-Holly because of all the things she went through. The description of her childhood was much needed and made me being able to understand why did she become such a mentally-unstable young adult. Her mom committed suicide when Holly was approx. four and after that she was sent to her grandmother, who constantly hurt her either by words or by actually hitting her. When she became 17 she left school and moved out on her own and that was the part where the story kicked in but unfortunately this was the part where I lost half of my interest.
Holly was not just unstable but had very little self respect, she knew she was beautiful but besides that she never thought much of herself because of her family members leaving her. Now, what I didn't get was why did she keep in contact with her grandma? She was spiteful and Holly could see that she was wrong in so many things, still she kept talking to her and she even gave her presents!
Her other big problem was that there was no name for her illness and even her psychologist didn't know shit, he just kept guessing and prescribing ineffective medicines to Holly. She was really poor, she worked for very little money and was eager to save as much up as she could so she often went to bed without eating.
Now, there were times when it all started to add up for me but than Holly said or thought something utterly annoying or childish and that ruined the reading experience for me. She was childish on a lot of levels, okay she never learned how to love and what love actually means and she was taught she didn't deserve anything but hate so her rules about friendship were kind of acceptable, more so because she talked about them in the end. But she was prejudicial, she thought that every men is an asshole who wouldn't want anything from her but sex because she was beautiful, she was bathing in self-pity because she was gorgeous... what? She had far worse problems than this, like poverty for instance but she told the tragedy of being beautiful in pages... pages!
She didn't just hated all men but she was prejudicial of all the women too, because everyone became a jealous bitch as soon as they saw her, yeah she was that beautiful no one could look into her eyes. Not everyone is like this, yeah there are men who'll feel you up on the bus and women who'll be jealous of you but with Holly this things happened every day. One day four men called her a b*tch or the synonym of it because she rejected them. It was just sad how the author made it sound like everyone is the same... besides when she needed people who were not the same.
Holly had a friend at work, Angie who was really outgoing and she often brought Holly with her. The problem was that Holly never really enjoyed herself, there were times when she felt more miserable at a bar than alone. Anyway Angie knew a groupie, Karen who always got information about where rock-stars would hang out after their concert. One of these night Holly went with them and met with Trevor, a roadie of the band, and it was love at first sight, I hate insta-love and this was from the worst type. They spent the night together and started to plan how Holly was going to tour with them for a weak. Holly would have done anything to keep Trevor therefore she fought hard to hide her crazy, with or without success but even after quite a few occasions when it was clear that Holly was not alright, Trevor seemed blind to her problems.
I won't lie to you, I did not like how clueless he was all the time, sometimes Holly felt a deep hate inside of her but Trevor never saw the smallest sign of it. Problems started to twice and Holly had to struggle with herself harder than ever before, when she was with Trevor she couldn't bear him but when they were apart she was hurting more than ever.
I liked how it was thoughtfully described what Holly felt when she was in her rage and what was truly behind Trevor's words. What I didn't like at all happened twice, both occasions on the tour bus. Everyone was talking and as it always happens when there's many people there were more than one conversations going on at the same time and the author tried to illustrate this but all she did was made unable to focus on what they were talking about.
Travelling with the band was a fun experience for Holly which she tried to live as best she could but on her first day on the bus something happened what I hated. John was a member of the band and he hit on Holly hard time while Trevor was sitting there watching, lately Trevor told Holly this was just a test what John did to protect Trevor's heart because most girls are after the rock stars even if they hang out with the roadies. I think it was thoughtful of John to protect his best friend but Trevor should have gone there and send John to hell for touching his girlfriend when clearly she wasn't interested.
All the groupies seemed to accept Holly, if I have to guess which one is the more jealous a groupie or an everyday life women, I would put my money on the first. Not because I think they are bad people, but because they all want the same thing: travelling with the band and getting backstage passes, so I think if someone gets this opportunity and they don't, they'll be jealous even if they are the most generous women in the world. Don't you agree?
All considered I really enjoyed reading Hang On. I'm just sad for one reason: the blurb kind of suggests that the main point of the novel was for Holly to figure out her problems and start working on them but this never happened. The end closed things off on a pretty good note but Holly's recovery wasn't even written down, we learn from the end that she did get better but we could never see the process.
The characters:
Trevor: He was a complete jerk from my point of view, I can see that he had a few good qualities and he clearly loved Holly but I still hated him. When Holly talked to John he listened to her while Trevor never cared about art so he never listened to Holly when she was talking about it, no matter how enthusiastic she was. She loved art and I think anyone who loves you, be a friend or more, should listen to you talk about the things that interest you, no matter if they are enjoying the topic or not. Trevor was far from perfect, he promised Holly he'd paid for her ticked but then she had to add money to it thus she had to land without any money and Trevor was actually angry at her! He told Holly just bring jeans and swimwear but they had to attend a party and when Holly had nothing to wear he freaked out at her and denied he ever said anything about what to bring.
Holly: My heart broke for her as I was reading about her childhood. I liked how she wanted to take care of herself and didn't need anyone to pet her. She even fought to learn more about her illness and kick its ass when she'll be able to. She never complained to anyone and she gave up on Trevor as soon as she realized she can't give him everything he needs. I liked how she didn't throw a tantrum when she got dumped and how she was able to forgive to Angie, who clearly didn't deserve it. Meanwhile I didn't like how prejudicial she was to a lot of people but this wasn't her characters fault, it was more the author's fault because she described it like there aren't better people than those who hurt Holly.
"I just wanted to be loved and liked for me. I wanted to love and like someone for him."
John: I really liked him and I'm very sorry because I wasn't able to read more about him, he was far more sympathetic than Trevor and a better person, if I can say so.
The other characters weren't bad either, I liked the description of Angie and how things ended with her. Karen seemed really nice from the beginning and she became a true friend of Holly, proving her prejudicis wrong. Holly's colleagues were totally mean who never deserved Holly's kindness but I liked how they were described. When Holly explained why she shouted at Geri and apologized, Geri told her if she could see there's something wrong with her than she sure as hell can change it, like mentally ill people would work like this... meanwhile some people do think this is the truth and Geri symbolized them.
Favorite characters: John, Karen
Least favorite: Trevor
I'd recommend it to those who are searching for a bit dark book filled with great moments in the mental illness category.
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 3/5
The characters: 4/5
The cover: 3/5
All in all: 4/5
http://www.reading-is-dreaming-with-o...
This review contains references to the story but they won't spoil you. :)
I was provided a free e-book in exchange of an honest review.
I have mixed feelings... on one hand it was something new to me. Most books I've read about mental illness were much lighter than Hang On thus I could relate to the struggling character(s) better because they were more ordinary, meanwhile Holly's problems seemed more real but I couldn't relate to her because I can hardly imagine thinking the way she did. From the very first page I felt the need to take notes because even back then I felt this novel will leave me without a wholly-formed opinion. So my review is a bit more detailed than ever before.
The Story-line:
The story started off magically good, I liked the writing style and felt sorry for little-Holly because of all the things she went through. The description of her childhood was much needed and made me being able to understand why did she become such a mentally-unstable young adult. Her mom committed suicide when Holly was approx. four and after that she was sent to her grandmother, who constantly hurt her either by words or by actually hitting her. When she became 17 she left school and moved out on her own and that was the part where the story kicked in but unfortunately this was the part where I lost half of my interest.
Holly was not just unstable but had very little self respect, she knew she was beautiful but besides that she never thought much of herself because of her family members leaving her. Now, what I didn't get was why did she keep in contact with her grandma? She was spiteful and Holly could see that she was wrong in so many things, still she kept talking to her and she even gave her presents!
Her other big problem was that there was no name for her illness and even her psychologist didn't know shit, he just kept guessing and prescribing ineffective medicines to Holly. She was really poor, she worked for very little money and was eager to save as much up as she could so she often went to bed without eating.
Now, there were times when it all started to add up for me but than Holly said or thought something utterly annoying or childish and that ruined the reading experience for me. She was childish on a lot of levels, okay she never learned how to love and what love actually means and she was taught she didn't deserve anything but hate so her rules about friendship were kind of acceptable, more so because she talked about them in the end. But she was prejudicial, she thought that every men is an asshole who wouldn't want anything from her but sex because she was beautiful, she was bathing in self-pity because she was gorgeous... what? She had far worse problems than this, like poverty for instance but she told the tragedy of being beautiful in pages... pages!
She didn't just hated all men but she was prejudicial of all the women too, because everyone became a jealous bitch as soon as they saw her, yeah she was that beautiful no one could look into her eyes. Not everyone is like this, yeah there are men who'll feel you up on the bus and women who'll be jealous of you but with Holly this things happened every day. One day four men called her a b*tch or the synonym of it because she rejected them. It was just sad how the author made it sound like everyone is the same... besides when she needed people who were not the same.
Holly had a friend at work, Angie who was really outgoing and she often brought Holly with her. The problem was that Holly never really enjoyed herself, there were times when she felt more miserable at a bar than alone. Anyway Angie knew a groupie, Karen who always got information about where rock-stars would hang out after their concert. One of these night Holly went with them and met with Trevor, a roadie of the band, and it was love at first sight, I hate insta-love and this was from the worst type. They spent the night together and started to plan how Holly was going to tour with them for a weak. Holly would have done anything to keep Trevor therefore she fought hard to hide her crazy, with or without success but even after quite a few occasions when it was clear that Holly was not alright, Trevor seemed blind to her problems.
I won't lie to you, I did not like how clueless he was all the time, sometimes Holly felt a deep hate inside of her but Trevor never saw the smallest sign of it. Problems started to twice and Holly had to struggle with herself harder than ever before, when she was with Trevor she couldn't bear him but when they were apart she was hurting more than ever.
I liked how it was thoughtfully described what Holly felt when she was in her rage and what was truly behind Trevor's words. What I didn't like at all happened twice, both occasions on the tour bus. Everyone was talking and as it always happens when there's many people there were more than one conversations going on at the same time and the author tried to illustrate this but all she did was made unable to focus on what they were talking about.
Travelling with the band was a fun experience for Holly which she tried to live as best she could but on her first day on the bus something happened what I hated. John was a member of the band and he hit on Holly hard time while Trevor was sitting there watching, lately Trevor told Holly this was just a test what John did to protect Trevor's heart because most girls are after the rock stars even if they hang out with the roadies. I think it was thoughtful of John to protect his best friend but Trevor should have gone there and send John to hell for touching his girlfriend when clearly she wasn't interested.
All the groupies seemed to accept Holly, if I have to guess which one is the more jealous a groupie or an everyday life women, I would put my money on the first. Not because I think they are bad people, but because they all want the same thing: travelling with the band and getting backstage passes, so I think if someone gets this opportunity and they don't, they'll be jealous even if they are the most generous women in the world. Don't you agree?
All considered I really enjoyed reading Hang On. I'm just sad for one reason: the blurb kind of suggests that the main point of the novel was for Holly to figure out her problems and start working on them but this never happened. The end closed things off on a pretty good note but Holly's recovery wasn't even written down, we learn from the end that she did get better but we could never see the process.
The characters:
Trevor: He was a complete jerk from my point of view, I can see that he had a few good qualities and he clearly loved Holly but I still hated him. When Holly talked to John he listened to her while Trevor never cared about art so he never listened to Holly when she was talking about it, no matter how enthusiastic she was. She loved art and I think anyone who loves you, be a friend or more, should listen to you talk about the things that interest you, no matter if they are enjoying the topic or not. Trevor was far from perfect, he promised Holly he'd paid for her ticked but then she had to add money to it thus she had to land without any money and Trevor was actually angry at her! He told Holly just bring jeans and swimwear but they had to attend a party and when Holly had nothing to wear he freaked out at her and denied he ever said anything about what to bring.
Holly: My heart broke for her as I was reading about her childhood. I liked how she wanted to take care of herself and didn't need anyone to pet her. She even fought to learn more about her illness and kick its ass when she'll be able to. She never complained to anyone and she gave up on Trevor as soon as she realized she can't give him everything he needs. I liked how she didn't throw a tantrum when she got dumped and how she was able to forgive to Angie, who clearly didn't deserve it. Meanwhile I didn't like how prejudicial she was to a lot of people but this wasn't her characters fault, it was more the author's fault because she described it like there aren't better people than those who hurt Holly.
"I just wanted to be loved and liked for me. I wanted to love and like someone for him."
John: I really liked him and I'm very sorry because I wasn't able to read more about him, he was far more sympathetic than Trevor and a better person, if I can say so.
The other characters weren't bad either, I liked the description of Angie and how things ended with her. Karen seemed really nice from the beginning and she became a true friend of Holly, proving her prejudicis wrong. Holly's colleagues were totally mean who never deserved Holly's kindness but I liked how they were described. When Holly explained why she shouted at Geri and apologized, Geri told her if she could see there's something wrong with her than she sure as hell can change it, like mentally ill people would work like this... meanwhile some people do think this is the truth and Geri symbolized them.
Favorite characters: John, Karen
Least favorite: Trevor
I'd recommend it to those who are searching for a bit dark book filled with great moments in the mental illness category.
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 3/5
The characters: 4/5
The cover: 3/5
All in all: 4/5
January 27, 2012
All my reviews are originally published at:
http://twistingthelens.wordpress.com
____________________________________________________________________
Holly is a 19-year-old single girl living in 1970s Chicago and trying to survive every day. She prides herself on her independence and her ability to survive with minimal human connection in her life. At least, she is trying to convince herself as much as everyone else that she is choosing to live in the shadows. What Holly may not realize is that by keeping to herself, she will never discover who she really is.
Holly’s lack of connection with her world began when she was only four years old, and her mother committed suicide. Holly went to live with her grandmother, who never really wanted her. As a result, the amount of verbal and psychological abuse she suffered caused her to internalize her feelings and withdraw from human connection. When even her psychiatrist cannot explain why Holly feels the way she does, she begins to resign herself to a fate of always being alone and unhappy. What she does not realize is that what she feels is not all in her head, but has yet to be understood and diagnosed within the clinical community.
As Holly begins to spend time in bars and clubs, she immerses herself in the music scene. When she meets the British band, Torc, she quickly discovers she somehow belongs with these people, and feels as though she finally fits in. She forms an instant connection with one of the roadies, Trevor, and knows she must try to make it work with him. As their relationship progresses, it quickly evolves into something Holly is not sure whether or not she can handle. Her ability to let others in is challenged, as is everything she thought she knew of herself.
As we follow Holly though a several year journey with Trevor and the band, we begin to see that she is not that different from the rest of us. Holly over-analyzes everything in her life. The difference between her and most people is that she admits it to herself. The honesty and introspection that is evident makes Holly an endearing and likable character. There are times when reading, we wish to make her see how special she really is. Then, we realize: that is life, and often opportunities are missed when we are busy trying to figure it all out.
Hang On is a story of loss, courage, hope, and learning to love one another for the person they are, rather than what is wished to be. Although Holly is later diagnosed as having depression and Borderline Personality Disorder, she could have just as easily been suffering from the neurosis of life. Many of the ways she handled situations were relatable to nearly anyone who is trying to figure out who they are and what to do when new situations are presented.
Gavin has given us a complex story that is so much more than a love story between two people. Rather, it is a love story among oneself. The ability to understand and allow oneself to be happy is the building block to letting others in as well. In a narrative that flows through the pages, Hang On is a story about life, and all its intricacies, that will stay with you long after the covers have been closed. This is a story about not denying the impact a singular voice can possess.
http://twistingthelens.wordpress.com
____________________________________________________________________
Holly is a 19-year-old single girl living in 1970s Chicago and trying to survive every day. She prides herself on her independence and her ability to survive with minimal human connection in her life. At least, she is trying to convince herself as much as everyone else that she is choosing to live in the shadows. What Holly may not realize is that by keeping to herself, she will never discover who she really is.
Holly’s lack of connection with her world began when she was only four years old, and her mother committed suicide. Holly went to live with her grandmother, who never really wanted her. As a result, the amount of verbal and psychological abuse she suffered caused her to internalize her feelings and withdraw from human connection. When even her psychiatrist cannot explain why Holly feels the way she does, she begins to resign herself to a fate of always being alone and unhappy. What she does not realize is that what she feels is not all in her head, but has yet to be understood and diagnosed within the clinical community.
As Holly begins to spend time in bars and clubs, she immerses herself in the music scene. When she meets the British band, Torc, she quickly discovers she somehow belongs with these people, and feels as though she finally fits in. She forms an instant connection with one of the roadies, Trevor, and knows she must try to make it work with him. As their relationship progresses, it quickly evolves into something Holly is not sure whether or not she can handle. Her ability to let others in is challenged, as is everything she thought she knew of herself.
As we follow Holly though a several year journey with Trevor and the band, we begin to see that she is not that different from the rest of us. Holly over-analyzes everything in her life. The difference between her and most people is that she admits it to herself. The honesty and introspection that is evident makes Holly an endearing and likable character. There are times when reading, we wish to make her see how special she really is. Then, we realize: that is life, and often opportunities are missed when we are busy trying to figure it all out.
Hang On is a story of loss, courage, hope, and learning to love one another for the person they are, rather than what is wished to be. Although Holly is later diagnosed as having depression and Borderline Personality Disorder, she could have just as easily been suffering from the neurosis of life. Many of the ways she handled situations were relatable to nearly anyone who is trying to figure out who they are and what to do when new situations are presented.
Gavin has given us a complex story that is so much more than a love story between two people. Rather, it is a love story among oneself. The ability to understand and allow oneself to be happy is the building block to letting others in as well. In a narrative that flows through the pages, Hang On is a story about life, and all its intricacies, that will stay with you long after the covers have been closed. This is a story about not denying the impact a singular voice can possess.
July 12, 2014
4 ½ out of 5 stars
Hang On is a novel built on shaky ground; the ground of mental illness known as Borderline Personality Disorder. This is a broad spectrum of mental illness' which still lacks clear defining lines. BPD has been described as Bipolar, only worse. It's as if the subject feels emotions in either black or white. Things are either all good, or all bad, and they can swing from one to the other in a matter of minutes. BPD is marked by intense rages and "burned bridges" in terms of relationships, jobs, etc. It can also be characterized as having peri-suicidal behaviors (such as cutting oneself or having risky sexual encounters), which are outward manifestations of enormous inner pain.
The heroine does not know what is wrong, she only knows that it is; that there is something inside her that does not fit into a tidy psychosis and, despite seeing a psychiatrist, she largely must fight her inner dragons alone.
Gavin is to be congratulated on her courage in writing this groundbreaking novel. Furthermore, she does it without copping out and label the heroine as “suffering from” (or even “living with”) Borderline Personality Disorder. Indeed, BPD, or any other mental illness, does not lend itself to storage in neatly labelled bins. It is more than the sum of it's symptoms. Gavin takes BPD and gives it a face and a soul and a future. But the book is not about mental illness. It's about a boy and a girl and a band.
Hang On is a novel built on shaky ground; the ground of mental illness known as Borderline Personality Disorder. This is a broad spectrum of mental illness' which still lacks clear defining lines. BPD has been described as Bipolar, only worse. It's as if the subject feels emotions in either black or white. Things are either all good, or all bad, and they can swing from one to the other in a matter of minutes. BPD is marked by intense rages and "burned bridges" in terms of relationships, jobs, etc. It can also be characterized as having peri-suicidal behaviors (such as cutting oneself or having risky sexual encounters), which are outward manifestations of enormous inner pain.
The heroine does not know what is wrong, she only knows that it is; that there is something inside her that does not fit into a tidy psychosis and, despite seeing a psychiatrist, she largely must fight her inner dragons alone.
Gavin is to be congratulated on her courage in writing this groundbreaking novel. Furthermore, she does it without copping out and label the heroine as “suffering from” (or even “living with”) Borderline Personality Disorder. Indeed, BPD, or any other mental illness, does not lend itself to storage in neatly labelled bins. It is more than the sum of it's symptoms. Gavin takes BPD and gives it a face and a soul and a future. But the book is not about mental illness. It's about a boy and a girl and a band.
September 15, 2012
I did not finish this book but I did read quite a bit of it and I have little time to read at this time and wow I was struggling with this book at LOT! First of all this book starts out with Holly being 4ish then 12 then 19 with you being left confused as to ok well what happened between these times and when did she age!? The first half of the book talks about little else but how she is soo pretty and all these men want her and she turns them all down so she is considered a bitch, a whore, a fucking bitch etc.. but she says herself she is beautiful and gets modeling offers all the time!? She is 19 with a mental illness but acts like she has is above these men!? I have had my share of gross men offer some disturbing things but this is just not realistic at all!
The other issue I had with this book was that there seems to be research thrown in without really knowing what they are even talking about sadly. Please do more research on the subject of mental illness if you are going to try to write a book about it because this was just horrible!
The other issue I had with this book was that there seems to be research thrown in without really knowing what they are even talking about sadly. Please do more research on the subject of mental illness if you are going to try to write a book about it because this was just horrible!
January 2, 2012
I really ended up enjoying this book, which is always a nice surprise with a free kindle download. I liked that this wasn't really the rock n roll groupie novel that's been done so many times before, and I found the ending fairly surprising. Worth a shot!
January 3, 2014
I did not like this at all. It was dragging and pointless. This story is about Holly who is depressed but I did not feel like it at all. She's too critical of herself but not depress. I did not even like the love story. There's no climax to this book.
March 15, 2014
An odd book, but the writing improves and one gets sucked in - just as with Nell Gavin's novel about Anne Boleyn. Very moving portrayal of relationships and mental illness.
August 21, 2021
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April 14, 2013I liked it. Strongly suggsest to others who have to live with mental illness
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