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Silhouettes
A bittersweet story about family, friendship and the impact one life can have on others, no matter how young it is.
Brooke was just killed in an accident, but a part of her is still here. Seeking answers, she sets out to retrace her life and soon meets others like herself, among them, Tyler. Tyler remembers Brooke from before, and so she hesitantly gives him the one thing she never bothered to when they were alive; a chance. Together, they visit the people and places in their small beach town that once held meaning to them, developing a mutual, grudging respect as they learn to view life in different and unexpected ways.
Tyler soon decides that they must let go of their pasts if anything is to change, but Brooke can't bring herself to say goodbye just yet. As she watches the impact of her death on her loved ones, Brooke questions her desperate need to hold onto a life that's no longer hers. But how can she let go of a life she's barely begun to live?
Brooke was just killed in an accident, but a part of her is still here. Seeking answers, she sets out to retrace her life and soon meets others like herself, among them, Tyler. Tyler remembers Brooke from before, and so she hesitantly gives him the one thing she never bothered to when they were alive; a chance. Together, they visit the people and places in their small beach town that once held meaning to them, developing a mutual, grudging respect as they learn to view life in different and unexpected ways.
Tyler soon decides that they must let go of their pasts if anything is to change, but Brooke can't bring herself to say goodbye just yet. As she watches the impact of her death on her loved ones, Brooke questions her desperate need to hold onto a life that's no longer hers. But how can she let go of a life she's barely begun to live?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2017
About the author
E.L. Tenenbaum
16 books66 followersE.L. Tenenbaum is an author, writer, wordsmither-er, and versificator. When not distracted building new worlds or puttering around her Substack, she enjoys presenting about writing, and has been a visiting author at schools around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 19, 2017
When I first read the synopsis of this book I worried that because of the subject matter being life after death that this would be heavy on the religion aspect. I am not the most religious person out there. While the subject was approached within the book it was not heavy or all-consuming. In all honesty, it makes up less than 1% of the book. This book is more of a coming of age novel. I feel silly writing that because how can one come of age when they are dead, right? But you can, there’s more to life than just living. Silhouettes take you on the journey of closure, acceptance and finding peace within oneself.
There was one line in the book that perfectly captured this book “…we had been living parallel lives in our little beach town…” There’s more to the sentence but I can’t tell you because it’ll give away a major part of the story. Which by the way was one of those moments where I was like I know it’s coming, I know it’s coming, maybe it’s not coming, maybe I was wrong. Ahhhhhhh, I was right. And then left speechless at the way the author presents the unfolding. That’s how it was for me.
So while we followed Brooke and Tyler on their adventure of not quite crossing over, I found the author did a remarkable job at still keeping all our sense alive while in death. With our main characters being ghosts the only senses they have are sight and sound and while you can create a world just on those alone it becomes so much more when you add all our sense into the mix. But through Brooke and Tyler’s memories of life living all our sense are completely fulfilled, from the sweet treats of ice cream down to the whisper of Tyler’s words on Brookes skin.
The eerily pleasant surprise of not so much as friends but other spirits also trapped in the realm of in between made the story that much agonizing sweeter. To know that they are not alone but alone was intriguing. With each “spirit” they came across you can find an underlying lesson in which they are slowly learning together.
The only bad part about your main character being dead is that when the story ends in somewhat pretty final all though I could see a story coming to life of the people left behind.
This the perfect book for any age to find enjoyable, But I think particularly for those between the ages of 10 – say early 20’s. I know that’s a large gap, but really the word comprehension is simple enough for a 10-year-old but the story that is told is wise enough for an older age to gain from it as well. Like the lesson of you never know how much of an impact you have on someone, Just because they are in your inner circle doesn’t mean they are your friends and the most important one life continues with you and without you. There are more, but these are the three that really stood out to me.
There was one line in the book that perfectly captured this book “…we had been living parallel lives in our little beach town…” There’s more to the sentence but I can’t tell you because it’ll give away a major part of the story. Which by the way was one of those moments where I was like I know it’s coming, I know it’s coming, maybe it’s not coming, maybe I was wrong. Ahhhhhhh, I was right. And then left speechless at the way the author presents the unfolding. That’s how it was for me.
So while we followed Brooke and Tyler on their adventure of not quite crossing over, I found the author did a remarkable job at still keeping all our sense alive while in death. With our main characters being ghosts the only senses they have are sight and sound and while you can create a world just on those alone it becomes so much more when you add all our sense into the mix. But through Brooke and Tyler’s memories of life living all our sense are completely fulfilled, from the sweet treats of ice cream down to the whisper of Tyler’s words on Brookes skin.
The eerily pleasant surprise of not so much as friends but other spirits also trapped in the realm of in between made the story that much agonizing sweeter. To know that they are not alone but alone was intriguing. With each “spirit” they came across you can find an underlying lesson in which they are slowly learning together.
The only bad part about your main character being dead is that when the story ends in somewhat pretty final all though I could see a story coming to life of the people left behind.
This the perfect book for any age to find enjoyable, But I think particularly for those between the ages of 10 – say early 20’s. I know that’s a large gap, but really the word comprehension is simple enough for a 10-year-old but the story that is told is wise enough for an older age to gain from it as well. Like the lesson of you never know how much of an impact you have on someone, Just because they are in your inner circle doesn’t mean they are your friends and the most important one life continues with you and without you. There are more, but these are the three that really stood out to me.
January 27, 2020
This book is great, and creative. Also I met the author which was cool, and interesting.
October 4, 2021
Bittersweet, meaningful, and a celebration of the impact a single life can have on another.
***
Listen to a behind-the-scenes on my podcast, Oh My Word!:
https://www.eltenenbaum.com/episode-2...
***
Listen to a behind-the-scenes on my podcast, Oh My Word!:
https://www.eltenenbaum.com/episode-2...
December 18, 2017
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for a honest review
Wow.
Just... wow.
When I accepted this e-book, I had no idea how much I was going to absolutely love it. You read books detailing grief and people dying all the time, but to flip that on it's head and be written from the person who has died is not a concept that I ever even thought of.
This book is a beautifully written, heartfelt explanation of a girl dealing with her own death and watching her friends, family and acquaintances grieve. I didn't think that it would be so damn heart-wrenching until I actually started reading it. At about 14% in I considered stopping and taking a break because I just couldn't believe how sad it was.
I'm glad I continued and read it within two days because the entire story is so worth it.
I loved Brooke. She was such a sweet, determined character and I loved how she dealt with the situation she was in. She did, what I think, a lot of us would do if there's any sort of life after death: she followed her family around and made sure they were okay. She kept an eye on her best friend and she made friends with a dead guy.
Tyler was an awesome opposite to Brooke's character. I love the friendship that built between them even though they lived such different lives.
The twist at the end was pretty obvious from about the 3rd or 4th chapter, but other than that, this book was absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for something to make you sad but also make you feel all the feelings, check this out.
Wow.
Just... wow.
When I accepted this e-book, I had no idea how much I was going to absolutely love it. You read books detailing grief and people dying all the time, but to flip that on it's head and be written from the person who has died is not a concept that I ever even thought of.
This book is a beautifully written, heartfelt explanation of a girl dealing with her own death and watching her friends, family and acquaintances grieve. I didn't think that it would be so damn heart-wrenching until I actually started reading it. At about 14% in I considered stopping and taking a break because I just couldn't believe how sad it was.
I'm glad I continued and read it within two days because the entire story is so worth it.
I loved Brooke. She was such a sweet, determined character and I loved how she dealt with the situation she was in. She did, what I think, a lot of us would do if there's any sort of life after death: she followed her family around and made sure they were okay. She kept an eye on her best friend and she made friends with a dead guy.
Tyler was an awesome opposite to Brooke's character. I love the friendship that built between them even though they lived such different lives.
The twist at the end was pretty obvious from about the 3rd or 4th chapter, but other than that, this book was absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for something to make you sad but also make you feel all the feelings, check this out.
October 10, 2017
4.5 Stars
An insightful and sensitive look at loss, love and letting go.
Tyler and Brooke are not your typical main characters in many ways but as easy as that is to say, on the flipside they are more ordinary than you might think, well apart from the fact that they are both telling their story from a completely unique perspective.
I cottoned on early as to why they had been brought together but that didn’t mean that the tears didn’t fall for the two of them when Brooke finally pieced it all together and their time came to an end.
“You don’t have to die to be dead on the inside” is a quote that will live with me for a long time, it resonates, it pleads for hope and issues its own special level of admonishment.
This was a story about seeing things for what they are, about opening your eyes and taking in the world around you, about feeling and embracing your place not only in the world but also in the lives of those around you.
Of understanding your impact and knowing that when you are physically not around, it doesn’t mean that you are not around, we all have a legacy and it is the way we live our lives that determine what that is. No matter how short, both Brooke and Tyler had made their mark, not only on those around them but also on each other and with their lives and deaths intertwined, this was a pair that shared a connection that was divine in every sense of the word.
Emotionally this was a solid read, it gave a grounding in life and grief in all its guises but it did so with a charm that was subtle yet packed a punch.
A break from the norm, thoroughly enchanting
An insightful and sensitive look at loss, love and letting go.
Tyler and Brooke are not your typical main characters in many ways but as easy as that is to say, on the flipside they are more ordinary than you might think, well apart from the fact that they are both telling their story from a completely unique perspective.
I cottoned on early as to why they had been brought together but that didn’t mean that the tears didn’t fall for the two of them when Brooke finally pieced it all together and their time came to an end.
“You don’t have to die to be dead on the inside” is a quote that will live with me for a long time, it resonates, it pleads for hope and issues its own special level of admonishment.
This was a story about seeing things for what they are, about opening your eyes and taking in the world around you, about feeling and embracing your place not only in the world but also in the lives of those around you.
Of understanding your impact and knowing that when you are physically not around, it doesn’t mean that you are not around, we all have a legacy and it is the way we live our lives that determine what that is. No matter how short, both Brooke and Tyler had made their mark, not only on those around them but also on each other and with their lives and deaths intertwined, this was a pair that shared a connection that was divine in every sense of the word.
Emotionally this was a solid read, it gave a grounding in life and grief in all its guises but it did so with a charm that was subtle yet packed a punch.
A break from the norm, thoroughly enchanting
November 2, 2017
A Young Adult novel for all ages about family, friends, and life with a positive and inspiring message. I write this review of behalf of Rosie’s Book Review Team. Thanks to Rosie Amber from Rosie’s Book Review Team (if you are an author and want your book reviewed, check here) and to the author for providing me an ARC copy of this book that I freely chose to review.
Brooke is an 18 year-old-girl who is popular (although not as popular as cheerleaders are), the captain of the dance group, a volunteer at her local hospital (in the children’s ward), a good student, a beloved daughter and sister (to her 14 year-old brother, Aaron), who has very clear plans for the future and a lot of life ahead of her, until she is killed in a car crash. She discovers then that although she is now dead, she is still hanging around, and can follow her friends and family, visit the familiar places where she used to spend her time, but she cannot interact with anybody or make herself known to the living. She meets other silhouettes (as they look like somewhat less solid and more transparent versions of themselves), but they don’t seem to have much in common with her until she meets a young boy her age, Tyler, who used to go to the same school but didn’t cross paths with her. While he knew who she was, she had never noticed him. As there is little to do other than wander around, and neither has any idea of why they are still there, they spend time together and discover things about each other, and also about themselves.
The story is narrated in the first-person from Brooke’s point of view. Although she is angry and devastated to begin with, she is also very concerned about her family and friends and tries to help but does not know how. Her memories of those around her are heart-warming and feel real. What she remembers are the little moments, not the big occasions, and she talks about her friends and family in a loving way. Although she is shocked by some of the things she discovers about others, she also gains an understanding of what is really important. She realises that she was living in a bubble and there were aspects of the town and of its people’s lives she’d never noticed. The language is beautiful and lyrical at times, without being overly complex. Tyler played the guitar and composed songs with his friend Dylan, and the lyrics of these songs are like poems, that give us a moment of pause and sometimes encapsulate and sometimes enhance the rest of the text. Although the interaction between the two characters feels true, and they remain psychologically consistent, they are both fully aware that what they are experiencing is not the same as they did when they were alive, and there is a new sense of detachment and perspective that they have been granted by their situation. Being granted time and distance to think without the pressure of trying to conform to other’s expectations is illuminating.
The relationship between Brooke and Tyler develops slowly and it is clear that they are there to help each other, even if the details are only revealed at the end. Like with some of the other secrets we discover throughout the book, I was not surprised by the revelation, but what is really important is the characters’ reaction to the revelation and that is both understandable and perfect. Although it might seem strange to talk about happy endings in a novel that centres on dead characters, I think most readers enjoy the ending and feel inspired by it.
I highlighted many sentences and paragraphs, as the novel manages to capture many of the questions we all wonder about and provides insights and inspiration without ever becoming preachy or adhering to a particular faith or religion. But here come a few one to give you an idea:
Diamonds hide in a lump of coal.
Here Brooke is talking to Tyler, trying to convince him they should go to school.
“What else are you gonna do?” I asked. “No one will see you anyway. You’re safe. They’ll walk right through you.”
“Great. Just like when I was alive.”
Brooke observes: Words like that should never have reason to be said at all.
“You don’t need to do some momentous thing that changes the world or say things that everyone puts on wooden signs to have made a difference. It’s doing things in your way, the way you laughed, and cried, and hung out, and lived, and just were, that’s what your mark is, even if you can only find it in ten people instead of ten thousand.”
A YA novel that can be read by people of any age (there is no use of swear words, violence or sex), that makes us think (yes, and tear up too) about family, friendship, memories, and life. A positive and inspiring read I’d recommend everybody. I know many readers are wary of reading books about children’s deaths, especially those who have been touched personally by it. Although I cannot offer my personal perspective on the matter, I’d suggest trying a sample of the book before making a decision. The novel put me in mind of The Lovely Bones and I would recommend it to readers who loved Sebold’s novel but were perturbed by the most gruesome aspects of the plot. E. L. Tenenbaum is an author I didn’t know but I’ll be watching closely from now on.
Brooke is an 18 year-old-girl who is popular (although not as popular as cheerleaders are), the captain of the dance group, a volunteer at her local hospital (in the children’s ward), a good student, a beloved daughter and sister (to her 14 year-old brother, Aaron), who has very clear plans for the future and a lot of life ahead of her, until she is killed in a car crash. She discovers then that although she is now dead, she is still hanging around, and can follow her friends and family, visit the familiar places where she used to spend her time, but she cannot interact with anybody or make herself known to the living. She meets other silhouettes (as they look like somewhat less solid and more transparent versions of themselves), but they don’t seem to have much in common with her until she meets a young boy her age, Tyler, who used to go to the same school but didn’t cross paths with her. While he knew who she was, she had never noticed him. As there is little to do other than wander around, and neither has any idea of why they are still there, they spend time together and discover things about each other, and also about themselves.
The story is narrated in the first-person from Brooke’s point of view. Although she is angry and devastated to begin with, she is also very concerned about her family and friends and tries to help but does not know how. Her memories of those around her are heart-warming and feel real. What she remembers are the little moments, not the big occasions, and she talks about her friends and family in a loving way. Although she is shocked by some of the things she discovers about others, she also gains an understanding of what is really important. She realises that she was living in a bubble and there were aspects of the town and of its people’s lives she’d never noticed. The language is beautiful and lyrical at times, without being overly complex. Tyler played the guitar and composed songs with his friend Dylan, and the lyrics of these songs are like poems, that give us a moment of pause and sometimes encapsulate and sometimes enhance the rest of the text. Although the interaction between the two characters feels true, and they remain psychologically consistent, they are both fully aware that what they are experiencing is not the same as they did when they were alive, and there is a new sense of detachment and perspective that they have been granted by their situation. Being granted time and distance to think without the pressure of trying to conform to other’s expectations is illuminating.
The relationship between Brooke and Tyler develops slowly and it is clear that they are there to help each other, even if the details are only revealed at the end. Like with some of the other secrets we discover throughout the book, I was not surprised by the revelation, but what is really important is the characters’ reaction to the revelation and that is both understandable and perfect. Although it might seem strange to talk about happy endings in a novel that centres on dead characters, I think most readers enjoy the ending and feel inspired by it.
I highlighted many sentences and paragraphs, as the novel manages to capture many of the questions we all wonder about and provides insights and inspiration without ever becoming preachy or adhering to a particular faith or religion. But here come a few one to give you an idea:
Diamonds hide in a lump of coal.
Here Brooke is talking to Tyler, trying to convince him they should go to school.
“What else are you gonna do?” I asked. “No one will see you anyway. You’re safe. They’ll walk right through you.”
“Great. Just like when I was alive.”
Brooke observes: Words like that should never have reason to be said at all.
“You don’t need to do some momentous thing that changes the world or say things that everyone puts on wooden signs to have made a difference. It’s doing things in your way, the way you laughed, and cried, and hung out, and lived, and just were, that’s what your mark is, even if you can only find it in ten people instead of ten thousand.”
A YA novel that can be read by people of any age (there is no use of swear words, violence or sex), that makes us think (yes, and tear up too) about family, friendship, memories, and life. A positive and inspiring read I’d recommend everybody. I know many readers are wary of reading books about children’s deaths, especially those who have been touched personally by it. Although I cannot offer my personal perspective on the matter, I’d suggest trying a sample of the book before making a decision. The novel put me in mind of The Lovely Bones and I would recommend it to readers who loved Sebold’s novel but were perturbed by the most gruesome aspects of the plot. E. L. Tenenbaum is an author I didn’t know but I’ll be watching closely from now on.
March 17, 2023
I listened to this one as my friend did the audio! She did a great job and I forgot that I knew the person reading it - just as I should have!
The book itself...is a bit cheesy. There are a lot of things about the main character that just seem naive which ends up making parts feel too trite. I did cry a few times, though the "twist" was obvious from the beginning.
And then there are the inconsistencies....how come sometimes they can sit or climb and other times they go right through everything? How come one of the times they jump they fall into the surface and others they don't?
But possibly the worst for me was when the main character - who had danced her whole life - counted off a four count...for a waltz.
The book itself...is a bit cheesy. There are a lot of things about the main character that just seem naive which ends up making parts feel too trite. I did cry a few times, though the "twist" was obvious from the beginning.
And then there are the inconsistencies....how come sometimes they can sit or climb and other times they go right through everything? How come one of the times they jump they fall into the surface and others they don't?
But possibly the worst for me was when the main character - who had danced her whole life - counted off a four count...for a waltz.
November 27, 2023
Silhouettes is an amazing story about two young teenagers who end up tied to the world they no longer inhabit. Brooke and Tyler run in different circles when they're alive, but when they are dead, they spend time with each other - trying to figure out just what is going on. The differences in their lives are distinguishable and obvious. Not only do they have time together, but they find out about each other's lives and see the heartbreak and sorrow that those left behind are dealing with. With many a poignant insight, this book is guaranteed to make you think, if not make you cry!
This book is outstanding, so much more than I thought it was going to be (and yes, I know that is vaguely insulting to the author! I'm really sorry!!!) Written from Brooke's point of view, you stay with her as she learns more about those around her than she knew when she was alive. The twist wasn't really a twist, as it became obvious early on. HOWEVER, that really isn't the point! Whether or not you figure it out, it's the emotions that it brings that make the real impact. I was a bit worried it might become preachy, but it never did. So many things are said that hit home to me, but one line that is amazing is simply this:
Overall, this book is one that everyone should read at some time in their lives. It's not 'just' a Young Adult book, it is simply a book where the two main characters are teenagers. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book swept me away. The scenes are full of impact and flow smoothly from one to the next. I really can't recommend this book highly enough.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 14, 2017
This book is outstanding, so much more than I thought it was going to be (and yes, I know that is vaguely insulting to the author! I'm really sorry!!!) Written from Brooke's point of view, you stay with her as she learns more about those around her than she knew when she was alive. The twist wasn't really a twist, as it became obvious early on. HOWEVER, that really isn't the point! Whether or not you figure it out, it's the emotions that it brings that make the real impact. I was a bit worried it might become preachy, but it never did. So many things are said that hit home to me, but one line that is amazing is simply this:
"You don't have to die to be dead inside."
Overall, this book is one that everyone should read at some time in their lives. It's not 'just' a Young Adult book, it is simply a book where the two main characters are teenagers. With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this book swept me away. The scenes are full of impact and flow smoothly from one to the next. I really can't recommend this book highly enough.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Dec 14, 2017
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews