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Privind la stele
Pentru Klee, un adolescent în vârstă de șaptesprezece ani, tatăl său a însemnat totul. El i-a deschis calea către marile muzee din New York și către lucrările de artă fabuloase expuse acolo. De la el a aflat tot soiul de legende și povești pline de magie. Până într-o zi când tatăl lui a murit.
Acum, silit să locuiască într-o suburbie împreună cu mama sa, Klee simte că a pierdut tot ceea ce i-a dat vreodată o identitate – iubitul său tată, excursiile săptămânale la MoMA și energia vibrantă a New York-ului. Asta până o cunoaște la ora de arte plastice pe Sarah, o fată impetuoasă și liberă, care-i răspunde cu zâmbete și glume când el „cade pe gânduri". Brusc, are sentimentul că Sarah este singura care-l face fericit. Dar, când un act de trădare îl zdruncină, Klee ajunge în „Duba cu Maimuțe", un centru de psihiatrie pentru adolescenți din Northollow.
Alternând planurile temporale și conducând firul narativ spre punctul în care Klee acceptă că are nevoie de ajutor și decide să se vindece, Privind la stele este un roman extraordinar, construit din tușe minimaliste cu efect maxim, despre ceea ce ne face să ne pierdem echilibrul și cum ni-l putem redobândi.
Acum, silit să locuiască într-o suburbie împreună cu mama sa, Klee simte că a pierdut tot ceea ce i-a dat vreodată o identitate – iubitul său tată, excursiile săptămânale la MoMA și energia vibrantă a New York-ului. Asta până o cunoaște la ora de arte plastice pe Sarah, o fată impetuoasă și liberă, care-i răspunde cu zâmbete și glume când el „cade pe gânduri". Brusc, are sentimentul că Sarah este singura care-l face fericit. Dar, când un act de trădare îl zdruncină, Klee ajunge în „Duba cu Maimuțe", un centru de psihiatrie pentru adolescenți din Northollow.
Alternând planurile temporale și conducând firul narativ spre punctul în care Klee acceptă că are nevoie de ajutor și decide să se vindece, Privind la stele este un roman extraordinar, construit din tușe minimaliste cu efect maxim, despre ceea ce ne face să ne pierdem echilibrul și cum ni-l putem redobândi.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2018
35 people are currently reading
3417 people want to read
About the author
Gae Polisner
13 books481 followersI am a wannabe mermaid and the author of THE MEMORY OF THINGS, SEVEN CLUES TO HOME and several other novels for readers young, old or in between.
Please note that, although I originally tried to assign star-ratings to my book reviews (and, thus, you will see some of my favorite books with stars), I have stopped doing so. A 3-star review, for example, can mean such different things to readers and reviewers, some rarely give more, so 3 means pretty great, to others 3 is barely mediocre. Because of this, it feels arbitrary and capricious to assign them, and I'd rather merely provide (in some cases) my brief thoughts on the book (unless I really can't help myself in giving it 5-stars, which usually means I wish there were lots more to give. . .). But for the most part, I'm only going to add the word recommended.
As for writer-me, if you want to know more about me, you can find me at my website, gaepolisner.com. You may also find me on Instagram or twitter @gaepol or on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/gaepolisnera....
I'd love to interact with you here or there. :)
Please note that, although I originally tried to assign star-ratings to my book reviews (and, thus, you will see some of my favorite books with stars), I have stopped doing so. A 3-star review, for example, can mean such different things to readers and reviewers, some rarely give more, so 3 means pretty great, to others 3 is barely mediocre. Because of this, it feels arbitrary and capricious to assign them, and I'd rather merely provide (in some cases) my brief thoughts on the book (unless I really can't help myself in giving it 5-stars, which usually means I wish there were lots more to give. . .). But for the most part, I'm only going to add the word recommended.
As for writer-me, if you want to know more about me, you can find me at my website, gaepolisner.com. You may also find me on Instagram or twitter @gaepol or on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/gaepolisnera....
I'd love to interact with you here or there. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
March 17, 2018
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Klee (pronounced "Clay") worshiped his father. They shared a love for art and artists, especially van Gogh, and they spent countless hours together painting and visiting museums and galleries, and Klee loved listening to his father's stories, even the ones which were so clearly made up. He knew his father gave up his dreams of becoming an artist to have a stable job as a lawyer, but his father wants him to have the chances he never had.
His father's sudden death turns Klee's life utterly upside down. He's forced to leave New York City, leave his best friends behind, and move to a house in the suburbs with his mother, whom he thinks of as "The Ice Queen." He doesn't think she's sad enough about his father dying, and he blames her for everything that has gone wrong. But he just needs to bide his time a little bit longer before he can go to art school in Boston, fulfilling his father's wishes.
Klee feels angry and abandoned, and isn't dealing well with his grief. But then he meets Sarah, a free-spirited girl in his art class at his new school, and he is drawn to her immediately. She simultaneously draws him in and keeps him at arm's length, but she recognizes Klee's talent and his generous heart (as well as his abs). He starts to think that perhaps Sarah can save him from his crushing grief, but she has her own troubles, and doesn't like it when he broods.
"I follow silently, wondering what it is about her that breaks my heart and fills it at the same time, that scares me but comforts me, that makes me want to tell her things I can't begin to find words for."
One night, feeling that Sarah is pulling away from him and suddenly being confronted with what he believes is the truth about his parents' marriage, things go utterly, utterly wrong. In a moment of abject despair, Klee's actions land him in what is known as the "Ape Can," a psychiatric hospital for teenagers.
As Klee begins to deal with the feelings that sent him spiraling downward, he must begin to confront the truth—about his father, his mother, his parents' relationship, and his relationship with Sarah, and he needs to figure out what is real and what he has imagined, or dreamed into existence. With the help of an understanding therapist, a unique hospital volunteer, and a few of his fellow patients, he starts to realize that he can pick up the pieces and live his life doing what he loves—art.
In Sight of Stars (taken from the van Gogh quote, "For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream") is told in two perspectives—present time and Klee's life after his father's death—in order to get a full picture of the challenges he has faced, and you get to uncover the truth at the same time he does. It is gorgeously told, and you feel the emotions, the struggles, the epiphanies that Klee does.
Gae Polisner, whose last book, The Memory of Things (see my review), made my list of the best books I read in 2016, writes with such beauty, such empathy, such heart. I loved these characters, and wouldn't have minded if the book were twice as long.
I struggled a bit with the start of the book, because in an effort to help you see things from Klee's traumatized and drugged perspective, the narration was a little jumbled and I wasn't sure what was real and what were his hallucinations. But that ended quickly, and I found myself utterly hooked on this story, needing to figure out what had happened. Polisner made me cry, she made me laugh, and she made me think. There were so many times I just marveled at her turn of phrase, or a piece of imagery.
In Sight of Stars might not necessarily break new ground, but it touched my heart and my mind. This is a book that says you can't go it alone, that we need to come to terms with the flaws of those around us as well as our own flaws, admit what is hurting or bothering us, and that is how we can find the strength to move on. I hope those who need to hear that message get their hands on this book.
NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
Klee (pronounced "Clay") worshiped his father. They shared a love for art and artists, especially van Gogh, and they spent countless hours together painting and visiting museums and galleries, and Klee loved listening to his father's stories, even the ones which were so clearly made up. He knew his father gave up his dreams of becoming an artist to have a stable job as a lawyer, but his father wants him to have the chances he never had.
His father's sudden death turns Klee's life utterly upside down. He's forced to leave New York City, leave his best friends behind, and move to a house in the suburbs with his mother, whom he thinks of as "The Ice Queen." He doesn't think she's sad enough about his father dying, and he blames her for everything that has gone wrong. But he just needs to bide his time a little bit longer before he can go to art school in Boston, fulfilling his father's wishes.
Klee feels angry and abandoned, and isn't dealing well with his grief. But then he meets Sarah, a free-spirited girl in his art class at his new school, and he is drawn to her immediately. She simultaneously draws him in and keeps him at arm's length, but she recognizes Klee's talent and his generous heart (as well as his abs). He starts to think that perhaps Sarah can save him from his crushing grief, but she has her own troubles, and doesn't like it when he broods.
"I follow silently, wondering what it is about her that breaks my heart and fills it at the same time, that scares me but comforts me, that makes me want to tell her things I can't begin to find words for."
One night, feeling that Sarah is pulling away from him and suddenly being confronted with what he believes is the truth about his parents' marriage, things go utterly, utterly wrong. In a moment of abject despair, Klee's actions land him in what is known as the "Ape Can," a psychiatric hospital for teenagers.
As Klee begins to deal with the feelings that sent him spiraling downward, he must begin to confront the truth—about his father, his mother, his parents' relationship, and his relationship with Sarah, and he needs to figure out what is real and what he has imagined, or dreamed into existence. With the help of an understanding therapist, a unique hospital volunteer, and a few of his fellow patients, he starts to realize that he can pick up the pieces and live his life doing what he loves—art.
In Sight of Stars (taken from the van Gogh quote, "For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream") is told in two perspectives—present time and Klee's life after his father's death—in order to get a full picture of the challenges he has faced, and you get to uncover the truth at the same time he does. It is gorgeously told, and you feel the emotions, the struggles, the epiphanies that Klee does.
Gae Polisner, whose last book, The Memory of Things (see my review), made my list of the best books I read in 2016, writes with such beauty, such empathy, such heart. I loved these characters, and wouldn't have minded if the book were twice as long.
I struggled a bit with the start of the book, because in an effort to help you see things from Klee's traumatized and drugged perspective, the narration was a little jumbled and I wasn't sure what was real and what were his hallucinations. But that ended quickly, and I found myself utterly hooked on this story, needing to figure out what had happened. Polisner made me cry, she made me laugh, and she made me think. There were so many times I just marveled at her turn of phrase, or a piece of imagery.
In Sight of Stars might not necessarily break new ground, but it touched my heart and my mind. This is a book that says you can't go it alone, that we need to come to terms with the flaws of those around us as well as our own flaws, admit what is hurting or bothering us, and that is how we can find the strength to move on. I hope those who need to hear that message get their hands on this book.
NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
January 8, 2018
I loved this book from start to finish.
It’s an achingly fierce exploration of the way the world wounds us and heals us. If you love exquisitely written coming-of-age stories that will leave you breathless, In Sight of Stars is for you. I wanted to underline every other passage.
It’s an achingly fierce exploration of the way the world wounds us and heals us. If you love exquisitely written coming-of-age stories that will leave you breathless, In Sight of Stars is for you. I wanted to underline every other passage.
January 26, 2018
Whoops, I ended up not finishing this one. The choppy writing, manic pixie dream girl trope, and confusing AF narration were too much for me. At least I managed to uphold my 30-percent-before-I-quit rule.
Mini review to come closer to the release date.
[DNF @ 30%]
Mini review to come closer to the release date.
[DNF @ 30%]
January 14, 2018
I've read all of Gae Polisner's books and enjoyed them all, but this is her best so far. Her characters feel like people you know (or want to know) and the structure of this book is unique and thoughtful. I can't wait to share this book in my workshops this year!
January 27, 2018
Please note that this review is written by a teacher with the intended audience of educators. I make specific recommendations for how to consider this novel for addition to curriculum, so if you don’t want to nerd out with me, skip this.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this novel at the NCTE convention and was able to read the book in just a few sittings once I began it. I value this novel most for its reflection of real life, artistry in details and consistency in craft. The main character, Klee (pronounced Clay), is simultaneously grieving both the sudden loss of his father and his mother's austere response to the death. His response to being uprooted from city life and transplanted, in his final year of high school, to a comparatively provincial northern suburb, is realistic. Klee's loneliness and longing for connection are palpable. Polisner writes Klee's internal monologues convincingly, and her use of flashback and flash forward is intentional. I especially liked the two strong female characters who aid Klee in his recovery, one of whom is a mental health professional, and the other of whom is a Catholic nun.
I’ve read two of Polisner’s other novels, both of which appeal to middle grades or high school students. This novel is one I’d recommend exclusively for the high school grades, due to the maturity of the content. I rarely say this about a YA novel, but this one could work as a whole-class study for eleventh or twelfth grade. Before you pitch it as such to your supervisor or principal, make sure several of your current students have read it, and ask each student to write down three reasons it should be added to your school’s curriculum. I would pitch it as an alternative to a novel such as like Ordinary People by Judith Guest, since it has comparable themes. (Similar to swapping out The Perks of Being a Wallflower for The Catcher in the Rye.) In planning a full unit of instruction, I suggest collaborating with an art teacher and a psychology teacher. There are so many opportunities for interdisciplinary study with this text, and an English teacher cannot do it all!
Before beginning the unit, definitely take the time to pre-assess what students already know about Vincent Van Gogh, and tap into any expertise in your classroom throughout the course of the novel study. Consider reading and analyzing the following short texts in class as students read the novel: "Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde, "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson, and "Digging" by Seamus Heaney. An excerpt from Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman would also help to frame the study of the novel. Playing the songs "Vincent" by Don McLean and "The Flight of Icarus" by Iron Maiden, and analyzing their lyrics in relation to the characters in the novel would be another germane learning experience for readers.
If you offer this book as a literature circle choice, consider designing an instructional unit with these other thematically apropos novels as choices: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Still Life With Tornado by A.S. King, Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, The Gospel of Winter by Brendan Kiely, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork.
The language in this novel is colorful from its very first page, but have you heard how high school students talk? Stand in almost any high school cafeteria at lunch and listen — you’ll hear far worse in a shorter span of time than what you’ll see occasionally surface on the pages of this novel. To those who have gripes, I say: BFD. At its core, this is a novel about grief and shame, and when human beings try to navigate these complex emotions, language often becomes colorful. I wouldn’t suggest selecting a passage rife with profanity for a class read-aloud or book talk, but beyond that, my students' lives aren't censored, and by eleventh or twelfth grade, I would hope that they're not hyper-focused on f-bombs but instead immersed in the struggles and circumstances of the novel's characters.
I received an advanced reader's copy of this novel at the NCTE convention and was able to read the book in just a few sittings once I began it. I value this novel most for its reflection of real life, artistry in details and consistency in craft. The main character, Klee (pronounced Clay), is simultaneously grieving both the sudden loss of his father and his mother's austere response to the death. His response to being uprooted from city life and transplanted, in his final year of high school, to a comparatively provincial northern suburb, is realistic. Klee's loneliness and longing for connection are palpable. Polisner writes Klee's internal monologues convincingly, and her use of flashback and flash forward is intentional. I especially liked the two strong female characters who aid Klee in his recovery, one of whom is a mental health professional, and the other of whom is a Catholic nun.
I’ve read two of Polisner’s other novels, both of which appeal to middle grades or high school students. This novel is one I’d recommend exclusively for the high school grades, due to the maturity of the content. I rarely say this about a YA novel, but this one could work as a whole-class study for eleventh or twelfth grade. Before you pitch it as such to your supervisor or principal, make sure several of your current students have read it, and ask each student to write down three reasons it should be added to your school’s curriculum. I would pitch it as an alternative to a novel such as like Ordinary People by Judith Guest, since it has comparable themes. (Similar to swapping out The Perks of Being a Wallflower for The Catcher in the Rye.) In planning a full unit of instruction, I suggest collaborating with an art teacher and a psychology teacher. There are so many opportunities for interdisciplinary study with this text, and an English teacher cannot do it all!
Before beginning the unit, definitely take the time to pre-assess what students already know about Vincent Van Gogh, and tap into any expertise in your classroom throughout the course of the novel study. Consider reading and analyzing the following short texts in class as students read the novel: "Hanging Fire" by Audre Lorde, "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson, and "Digging" by Seamus Heaney. An excerpt from Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman would also help to frame the study of the novel. Playing the songs "Vincent" by Don McLean and "The Flight of Icarus" by Iron Maiden, and analyzing their lyrics in relation to the characters in the novel would be another germane learning experience for readers.
If you offer this book as a literature circle choice, consider designing an instructional unit with these other thematically apropos novels as choices: All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Still Life With Tornado by A.S. King, Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, The Gospel of Winter by Brendan Kiely, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick, Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner and The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork.
The language in this novel is colorful from its very first page, but have you heard how high school students talk? Stand in almost any high school cafeteria at lunch and listen — you’ll hear far worse in a shorter span of time than what you’ll see occasionally surface on the pages of this novel. To those who have gripes, I say: BFD. At its core, this is a novel about grief and shame, and when human beings try to navigate these complex emotions, language often becomes colorful. I wouldn’t suggest selecting a passage rife with profanity for a class read-aloud or book talk, but beyond that, my students' lives aren't censored, and by eleventh or twelfth grade, I would hope that they're not hyper-focused on f-bombs but instead immersed in the struggles and circumstances of the novel's characters.
September 17, 2017
Finished In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner. I received a copy for review. This will be published March 13.
Klee (pronounced like clay) has been committed. We don't know why, and this book goes back and forth in time, explaining how he got there and, more importantly, how he'll find his way back.
I want to make my book club read this, because I have so many thoughts. I think teens will love this---this book really showcases the way that everything feels so viscerally important but never makes it feel silly or trivial, but I think it will also resonate with adults, because we actually really get the idea of having to decide whether to pursue your passion or to settle for a career you don't love so you can manage to buy food and pay rent and all the other delights of adulthood.
I'm not sure I can even express just how deeply this book has resonated with me. Every character, every theme, every nuance is absolutely perfect. Most of all, it's about how art can save us temporarily while we become strong enough to save ourselves. And about how asking for help is not at all weak. The world is better with this book in it.
Highly recommended.
Klee (pronounced like clay) has been committed. We don't know why, and this book goes back and forth in time, explaining how he got there and, more importantly, how he'll find his way back.
I want to make my book club read this, because I have so many thoughts. I think teens will love this---this book really showcases the way that everything feels so viscerally important but never makes it feel silly or trivial, but I think it will also resonate with adults, because we actually really get the idea of having to decide whether to pursue your passion or to settle for a career you don't love so you can manage to buy food and pay rent and all the other delights of adulthood.
I'm not sure I can even express just how deeply this book has resonated with me. Every character, every theme, every nuance is absolutely perfect. Most of all, it's about how art can save us temporarily while we become strong enough to save ourselves. And about how asking for help is not at all weak. The world is better with this book in it.
Highly recommended.
February 8, 2018
Excellent story! Fast paced, this book can definitely be completed in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Our main character Klee is brutally honest. At only 17, he has faced grief, trauma, and adversity. At the heart of the book is the idea we most often see what we want, what is easiest. The truth is so unclear sometimes. Particularly when it concerns loved ones. We can twist reality to match our ideas of our life story. The difficult part is removing those rose colored glasses and living in our true story, not just the one we dreamed for ourselves.
Although definitely in the YA category, I recommend In Sight of Stars for all readers looking for an authentic account about youth, mental illness, and forgiveness.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Our main character Klee is brutally honest. At only 17, he has faced grief, trauma, and adversity. At the heart of the book is the idea we most often see what we want, what is easiest. The truth is so unclear sometimes. Particularly when it concerns loved ones. We can twist reality to match our ideas of our life story. The difficult part is removing those rose colored glasses and living in our true story, not just the one we dreamed for ourselves.
Although definitely in the YA category, I recommend In Sight of Stars for all readers looking for an authentic account about youth, mental illness, and forgiveness.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
December 5, 2017
I read this story in an early draft and my first response was..Damn, she nailed it. Ms. Polisner captures the truest sense and expanse of a young man's emotions-- his complicated relationship with his mother, the loss of his dad, and his romantic heart aches. She also beautifully renders his descent into confusion when all three collide, and his journey to redemption. Consider this book, ORDINARY PEOPLE for a new generation of readers..it's that good.
December 18, 2017
I received an uncorrected proof from Facebook friend and author, Gae Polisner. This review, however, is written without bias and without a complete summary because...read the book. I hate spoilers. Without giving up the plot I can say it is beautifully written with characters that are still in my mind and even made me dream of them as I napped today. The nap was necessary because I couldn't put the book down last night and stayed up until I finished it this morning after 3 AM. The subject matter, concerning mental health and recovery, complicated parental relationships and friendships was so real and handled with great care. There were a couple of gut punch parts but overall It gave me hope. It was deep enough to challenge adult and young readers alike. Definitely giving this book as a gift to others. I also think that this book could help people struggling with anxiety and depression even though the story does not necessarily focus on those diseases but rather tells a beautiful story of one teens journey. I love the characters and it's a really good book. The small stories within and the riddle were a nice touch. I liked the alternating perspectives used in the writing. A must read, for sure. I wonder how long these characters will be hanging out with me, making me think? Probably a really long time.
March 16, 2018
Gae Polisner's 'In Sight of Stars' was one of my most awaited books this year. I loved all her three earlier books and so I couldn't wait to read her new one.
In the first scene of the story we find Klee Alden, our narrator, opening a door and entering somewhere and he sees something inside which shocks him and something inside him snaps and he takes a knife out of his pocket and before anyone around him could do anything, he tries to cut himself in his neck. Sometime later we find him in a hospital and he hears voices while his eyes are closed. Later, when his physical health is better, he meets the therapist, Dr Alvarez. As Klee and Dr Alvarez talk about his past and what led to his present, Klee also narrates his story in the first person in the gaps between two therapy sessions, and we get to know more about his life, his dad who was a lawyer but who was a painter at heart, his mom who is always dressed elegantly and who seems to be always detached emotionally from family happenings, his friends Kleto and Dan, his new friend and later girlfriend Sarah - we learn about all these people and the part they play in Klee's life. We also learn about the people he meets at therapeutic centre - Martin, Sabrina and Gene - people who are there for therapy like him and with whom he becomes friends. Atleast sort of. We also learn about Sister Agnes Teresa who frequently visits Klee in the evening, plays board games with him and keeps him engaged and provides him opportunities to learn and grow as a person. We also learn about Nurse Carole, who takes care of Klee. We also learn about Klee's love for the paintings of Van Gogh, a love which has been passed on to Klee by his dad. As we wonder what happened in Klee's life that led to his present situation, the different story strands weave together into one fabric and the surprises are revealed. When the revelations arrive, they are stunning - I didn't see them coming.
The first thing I loved about 'In Sight of Stars' was the cover. It is stunning, isn't it? A great ode to Vincent Van Gogh. I also loved the story - the shocking start, the journey back and forth across time as the different happenings in Klee's life are revealed, the stunning surprise which leaps at us towards the end and how all the story strands come together perfectly in the end. Halfway through the novel, I despaired for Klee - it looked clearly that he has suffered a lot, but we don't know the details, and I wanted things to become better for him so that he could live a normal boring life, like everyone else. Does he get to do that? I so want to answer that question but I won't - that is not for me to reveal but for you to read and find out. I loved most of the characters in the story - some of them were beautiful and perfect while others were beautiful and complex and flawed. I loved both types. My favourites were Dr Alvarez and Sister Agnes Teresa and also Klee's mom, but when I think about it again, I really loved them all - they were beautifully sculpted. Gae Polisner's prose flows beautifully and every sentence and paragraph and page moves the story, builds a character or sets up a scene. There is no word wasted. The book is also a love letter to Vincent Van Gogh and his paintings. If you love Vincent Van Gogh, this book is definitely for you.
It is hard for me to not compare 'In Sight of Stars' with Gae Polisner's other books. I love them all because of the way they take a contemporary issue involving teenagers, family, community and society and explore it in depth in the form of fiction. 'The Pull of Gravity' will always have a special place in my heart because it was Polisner's first book but I also loved 'The Summer of Letting Go' and 'The Memory of Things'. In this book, 'In Sight of Stars', I felt that the style and the story and the characters were more intense, more grown up. I felt that the author was getting into new terrain here. I loved that. I think, though it is hard to compare, that it is one of Gae Polisner's finest works.
'In Sight of Stars' is about love, family, loss, grief and about the beauty and therapeutic power of art. It is early days yet, but I think it is one of my favourite books of the year.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"My body plummets, strong like a bullet, and then I hit the water, hard, stinging, losing my grip on Sarah’s hand. I plunge deeper, and deeper, and deeper.
Everything erases from my brain. The pressure is intense on my ears.
No sound.
No thoughts.
No nothing.
Then, pushback. And lightness. From dark green to pale green to blue, a brilliant and stunning restoration of light as I ascend. I surface, above the water, bobbing like a cork. The sun hits my face and my breath relaxes, and my ears fill with the sound of Sarah laughing."
“Was there magic?”
She laughs. “Well, maybe ‘magic’ is too strong a word. Funny, though,” she says, “how we only recognize huge, seismic breakthroughs when, really, all progress is good progress no matter how small. Sometimes we need to be willing to measure it in millimeters, not feet.”
“So, as long as we’re already here at rock bottom,” Dr. Alvarez says softly, “digging at the painful stuff, let’s just do it, shall we? Let’s deal with the big purple elephant in the room. Let’s go the rest of the way. That’s what I’m paid for, right? I might as well earn my keep.”
"We can only make ourselves happy. We can’t save others. We can love others. But we can only save ourselves."
Have you read Gae Polisner's 'In Sight of Stars'? What do you think about it?
In the first scene of the story we find Klee Alden, our narrator, opening a door and entering somewhere and he sees something inside which shocks him and something inside him snaps and he takes a knife out of his pocket and before anyone around him could do anything, he tries to cut himself in his neck. Sometime later we find him in a hospital and he hears voices while his eyes are closed. Later, when his physical health is better, he meets the therapist, Dr Alvarez. As Klee and Dr Alvarez talk about his past and what led to his present, Klee also narrates his story in the first person in the gaps between two therapy sessions, and we get to know more about his life, his dad who was a lawyer but who was a painter at heart, his mom who is always dressed elegantly and who seems to be always detached emotionally from family happenings, his friends Kleto and Dan, his new friend and later girlfriend Sarah - we learn about all these people and the part they play in Klee's life. We also learn about the people he meets at therapeutic centre - Martin, Sabrina and Gene - people who are there for therapy like him and with whom he becomes friends. Atleast sort of. We also learn about Sister Agnes Teresa who frequently visits Klee in the evening, plays board games with him and keeps him engaged and provides him opportunities to learn and grow as a person. We also learn about Nurse Carole, who takes care of Klee. We also learn about Klee's love for the paintings of Van Gogh, a love which has been passed on to Klee by his dad. As we wonder what happened in Klee's life that led to his present situation, the different story strands weave together into one fabric and the surprises are revealed. When the revelations arrive, they are stunning - I didn't see them coming.
The first thing I loved about 'In Sight of Stars' was the cover. It is stunning, isn't it? A great ode to Vincent Van Gogh. I also loved the story - the shocking start, the journey back and forth across time as the different happenings in Klee's life are revealed, the stunning surprise which leaps at us towards the end and how all the story strands come together perfectly in the end. Halfway through the novel, I despaired for Klee - it looked clearly that he has suffered a lot, but we don't know the details, and I wanted things to become better for him so that he could live a normal boring life, like everyone else. Does he get to do that? I so want to answer that question but I won't - that is not for me to reveal but for you to read and find out. I loved most of the characters in the story - some of them were beautiful and perfect while others were beautiful and complex and flawed. I loved both types. My favourites were Dr Alvarez and Sister Agnes Teresa and also Klee's mom, but when I think about it again, I really loved them all - they were beautifully sculpted. Gae Polisner's prose flows beautifully and every sentence and paragraph and page moves the story, builds a character or sets up a scene. There is no word wasted. The book is also a love letter to Vincent Van Gogh and his paintings. If you love Vincent Van Gogh, this book is definitely for you.
It is hard for me to not compare 'In Sight of Stars' with Gae Polisner's other books. I love them all because of the way they take a contemporary issue involving teenagers, family, community and society and explore it in depth in the form of fiction. 'The Pull of Gravity' will always have a special place in my heart because it was Polisner's first book but I also loved 'The Summer of Letting Go' and 'The Memory of Things'. In this book, 'In Sight of Stars', I felt that the style and the story and the characters were more intense, more grown up. I felt that the author was getting into new terrain here. I loved that. I think, though it is hard to compare, that it is one of Gae Polisner's finest works.
'In Sight of Stars' is about love, family, loss, grief and about the beauty and therapeutic power of art. It is early days yet, but I think it is one of my favourite books of the year.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"My body plummets, strong like a bullet, and then I hit the water, hard, stinging, losing my grip on Sarah’s hand. I plunge deeper, and deeper, and deeper.
Everything erases from my brain. The pressure is intense on my ears.
No sound.
No thoughts.
No nothing.
Then, pushback. And lightness. From dark green to pale green to blue, a brilliant and stunning restoration of light as I ascend. I surface, above the water, bobbing like a cork. The sun hits my face and my breath relaxes, and my ears fill with the sound of Sarah laughing."
“Was there magic?”
She laughs. “Well, maybe ‘magic’ is too strong a word. Funny, though,” she says, “how we only recognize huge, seismic breakthroughs when, really, all progress is good progress no matter how small. Sometimes we need to be willing to measure it in millimeters, not feet.”
“So, as long as we’re already here at rock bottom,” Dr. Alvarez says softly, “digging at the painful stuff, let’s just do it, shall we? Let’s deal with the big purple elephant in the room. Let’s go the rest of the way. That’s what I’m paid for, right? I might as well earn my keep.”
"We can only make ourselves happy. We can’t save others. We can love others. But we can only save ourselves."
Have you read Gae Polisner's 'In Sight of Stars'? What do you think about it?
February 17, 2018
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange of and honest review.
More like 3.5 stars.
It was good but that’s it, a quick read that help me get through a reading slump, so thank you book.
This is the story of Klee, a boy who has to start over after a suicide attempt (this is not a spoiler as it happens in the first chapter), he gets into a mental facility and then we’ll switch from his healing to his memories.
There are very important people in his life, his mom, his girlfriend and his dad, the latter being the most mentioned due to their closeness and the fact that he killed himself.
I honestly find those flashbacks to be a little confusing, but once I got used to, I found myself waiting for them to appear.
Towards the ending comes a revelation that it did not expect and would have liked to explore a little bit more.
Overall a quick read that deals with heavy topics and a little mix of art and New York City. It was fine.
More like 3.5 stars.
It was good but that’s it, a quick read that help me get through a reading slump, so thank you book.
This is the story of Klee, a boy who has to start over after a suicide attempt (this is not a spoiler as it happens in the first chapter), he gets into a mental facility and then we’ll switch from his healing to his memories.
There are very important people in his life, his mom, his girlfriend and his dad, the latter being the most mentioned due to their closeness and the fact that he killed himself.
I honestly find those flashbacks to be a little confusing, but once I got used to, I found myself waiting for them to appear.
Towards the ending comes a revelation that it did not expect and would have liked to explore a little bit more.
Overall a quick read that deals with heavy topics and a little mix of art and New York City. It was fine.
March 13, 2018
‘There was a time when I felt happy and normal.’
Klee Alden is seventeen years old when the world he was comfortable in changes forever. His father, the centre of his universe, dies. He has committed suicide, and it is Klee who finds him. Klee (pronounced Clay) has explored New York City’s museums and art galleries with his father, learned about the lives and loves of great artists, experienced the magic his father could generate.
We meet Klee in a psychiatric hospital for teenagers. And, as we find out why Klee is in hospital, we learn about how his life changed after his father’s death and why Sarah, a girl he met in art class, has become so important to him.
I was deeply moved by this story. There are two main reasons for this. First, I had some experience myself as a teenager in a psychiatric institution and although that experience is over forty years ago, I remember trying (and failing for a long time) to make sense of what was happening. The world had shifted, and my place in it ceased to exist. Secondly, and more importantly, Ms Polisner takes Klee through the journey he needs to make in a way which felt so real (at least to me). Relearning how (and who) to trust, adjusting to medication, realizing that there is usually more than one reality (and certainly more than one view of it). Klee’s struggles are never trivialised, his views are not discounted. But he learns (as we all do if we survive the journey into adulthood) that our knowledge is often incomplete, our interpretations sometimes flawed.
Klee’s journey involves a number of different characters. We see each of them through Klee’s eyes, so our images are sometimes incomplete. I finished the novel hopeful that Klee would find a new ‘happy and normal’. I finished the novel knowing that I would be rereading it again at some stage. Why? Because there are several layers to Klee’s story, and I know that I’ve not yet absorbed them all.
This is Ms Polisner’s fourth published novel. I’ve enjoyed each of the three novels I’ve read (‘The Summer of Letting Go’ is still on my reading list). Ms Polisner has a gift for creating believable characters in challenging situations, the kind of fiction many young adults can relate to.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Klee Alden is seventeen years old when the world he was comfortable in changes forever. His father, the centre of his universe, dies. He has committed suicide, and it is Klee who finds him. Klee (pronounced Clay) has explored New York City’s museums and art galleries with his father, learned about the lives and loves of great artists, experienced the magic his father could generate.
We meet Klee in a psychiatric hospital for teenagers. And, as we find out why Klee is in hospital, we learn about how his life changed after his father’s death and why Sarah, a girl he met in art class, has become so important to him.
I was deeply moved by this story. There are two main reasons for this. First, I had some experience myself as a teenager in a psychiatric institution and although that experience is over forty years ago, I remember trying (and failing for a long time) to make sense of what was happening. The world had shifted, and my place in it ceased to exist. Secondly, and more importantly, Ms Polisner takes Klee through the journey he needs to make in a way which felt so real (at least to me). Relearning how (and who) to trust, adjusting to medication, realizing that there is usually more than one reality (and certainly more than one view of it). Klee’s struggles are never trivialised, his views are not discounted. But he learns (as we all do if we survive the journey into adulthood) that our knowledge is often incomplete, our interpretations sometimes flawed.
Klee’s journey involves a number of different characters. We see each of them through Klee’s eyes, so our images are sometimes incomplete. I finished the novel hopeful that Klee would find a new ‘happy and normal’. I finished the novel knowing that I would be rereading it again at some stage. Why? Because there are several layers to Klee’s story, and I know that I’ve not yet absorbed them all.
This is Ms Polisner’s fourth published novel. I’ve enjoyed each of the three novels I’ve read (‘The Summer of Letting Go’ is still on my reading list). Ms Polisner has a gift for creating believable characters in challenging situations, the kind of fiction many young adults can relate to.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 21, 2018
Brilliantly crafted.
So many lines I want to return to and think about. This is a book that is worthy of many rereads.
So many lines I want to return to and think about. This is a book that is worthy of many rereads.
March 15, 2018
In this story we meet Klee who cuts his neck with a knife at a party. Afterwards we are transported to past plus we see what leads up to the event. Klee was going through a difficult time with a parent passing and I honestly felt he would have done well with some counseling. I really liked that we got to see what was going on with Klee and how he’s been feeling the last year. Throughout this story there are some twists that I didn’t see coming and now certain things make sense. We also have a romance between Klee and Sarah and that plays a part as well.
This story serves as a strong reminder that if you’re going through something please reach out and talk to someone. Klee kept everything bottled in and once he reached his limit he broke. It was so sad to him break but watching him find himself was worth ounce of heartbreak.
I’ve never read anything by this author and I enjoyed her writing style. I would have liked a follow up with the main character. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt but overall I loved the story. The subject matter is about mental illness and I applaud the author for writing a book about this topic. Mental illness is a real thing and it’s nice to see more books being written. Okay, I’ll stop with the PSA.
*Received copy from NetGalley and I voluntarily left a review*
This story serves as a strong reminder that if you’re going through something please reach out and talk to someone. Klee kept everything bottled in and once he reached his limit he broke. It was so sad to him break but watching him find himself was worth ounce of heartbreak.
I’ve never read anything by this author and I enjoyed her writing style. I would have liked a follow up with the main character. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt but overall I loved the story. The subject matter is about mental illness and I applaud the author for writing a book about this topic. Mental illness is a real thing and it’s nice to see more books being written. Okay, I’ll stop with the PSA.
*Received copy from NetGalley and I voluntarily left a review*
August 7, 2024
this book was really upsetting.. really.
i cried so hard when Dr. Alvarez showed Klee her scars. i actually was so depressed.
all the flashbacks of his dad continuously punched me in the face. the ending really got me and when they discovered that the dad had been gay and had an affair with the guy he bought paintings from, i felt sooo bad for the mom after being screamed at for 10 minutes about having an affair when it was the dad in turn. Sarah and Abbot are such pieces of crap it makes me angry. this book is NAWT for the weak. i love the beauty of this story. you need to read this bc it's a huge wake up call.
i cried so hard when Dr. Alvarez showed Klee her scars. i actually was so depressed.
all the flashbacks of his dad continuously punched me in the face. the ending really got me and when they discovered that the dad had been gay and had an affair with the guy he bought paintings from, i felt sooo bad for the mom after being screamed at for 10 minutes about having an affair when it was the dad in turn. Sarah and Abbot are such pieces of crap it makes me angry. this book is NAWT for the weak. i love the beauty of this story. you need to read this bc it's a huge wake up call.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
#partner * So, so many young adult books are featuring themes of mental illness now that I start thinking I know what to expect in the genre.........but then THIS book comes along and shows me how it should be done. Polisner has written a quiet and poignant look into a teen's experiences with grief, depression and desperation, and has managed to do so with the most compassionate touch I have seen. Her portrayal of mental health professionals, therapy and in-patient treatment are refreshingly positive and I am hoping they will undo the damage that many insensitive books have done for this topic. And the ART. I adore that this book is so wrapped around art and Van Gogh and Klee and his father's art. This isn't done enough in YA, which is why I'm so happy to see it here. If you have teen art lovers in your life, hand them this book. (Along with Piper Perish by Kayla Cagan - that 2017 title is fabulous too!)
Highly recommended for libraries that serve teens, and perhaps in art classrooms as well ~ because every classroom needs books!
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy of this title ~ all opinions are my own.
Highly recommended for libraries that serve teens, and perhaps in art classrooms as well ~ because every classroom needs books!
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy of this title ~ all opinions are my own.
October 9, 2017
I received an advance uncorrected proof version. I have read all of Polisner's books and enjoyed all of them. This book, however, feels quite different to me, stretching from young adult into adult, captivating and satisfying in a more nuanced style. There are different textual features depending on the stability of the narrator, art woven into and through the text and the plot, family, love, twists, and the grappling of all that is life. The story navigates therapy and recovery post a traumatic psychological break, and readers bear witness to this process with the gentle guidance of a compassionate therapist and a clever nun. I don't think this will make it into the hands of my middle school students but I certainly hope it finds its way into the hands of upper teen readers and certainly many adults.
March 12, 2018
Shocker. I read another book about grief and loss, and I liked it, a lot. My penchant for this type of book is well known, but there were so many other things I loved about this beautifully written story of love, loss, and healing.
•Pro: The writing was exquisite. Besides it being so painfully beautiful at times, it also masterfully helped me slip into Klee's mental state. In the beginning of the story, where Klee was in crisis, the writing was a little choppy, but as Klee started working through his issues, it became more lucid and orderly. I thought that was brilliant.
•Pro: I was also a fan of the story structure. Polisner slowly reveals how Klee ended up at Ape Can, and these pieces were revealed via remembrances of Klee's or by him recounting the events during therapy sessions as he started to come to terms with what brought him to this point. Once again, these memories are tinged by his mental state, and some were even revisited as he gained more clarity.
•Con: I was not a super-fan of Sarah's. It was easy to see the girl was slightly damaged and not good for Klee, but I did think Polisner gave both Klee and Sarah some insight into each other at the end.
•Pro: Dr. Alvarez, Klee's therapist, and Sister Agnes Teresa, a volunteer at Ape Can, were such stand out characters, and I loved how they each helped Klee on his road to recovery. Their approach was quite different, but both were so supportive and gave him exactly what he needed, when he needed it. They dropped a serious amount of wisdom nuggets too.
•Pro: Speaking of wisdom nuggets. I found myself furiously highlighting throughout this book. So much food for thought.
•Pro: All the van Gogh stuff was really interesting, and I liked the way Polisner wove those bits into the story.
Overall: This was an achingly beautiful book about something painful, which I found to be honest, touching, and encouraging.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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•Pro: The writing was exquisite. Besides it being so painfully beautiful at times, it also masterfully helped me slip into Klee's mental state. In the beginning of the story, where Klee was in crisis, the writing was a little choppy, but as Klee started working through his issues, it became more lucid and orderly. I thought that was brilliant.
•Pro: I was also a fan of the story structure. Polisner slowly reveals how Klee ended up at Ape Can, and these pieces were revealed via remembrances of Klee's or by him recounting the events during therapy sessions as he started to come to terms with what brought him to this point. Once again, these memories are tinged by his mental state, and some were even revisited as he gained more clarity.
•Con: I was not a super-fan of Sarah's. It was easy to see the girl was slightly damaged and not good for Klee, but I did think Polisner gave both Klee and Sarah some insight into each other at the end.
•Pro: Dr. Alvarez, Klee's therapist, and Sister Agnes Teresa, a volunteer at Ape Can, were such stand out characters, and I loved how they each helped Klee on his road to recovery. Their approach was quite different, but both were so supportive and gave him exactly what he needed, when he needed it. They dropped a serious amount of wisdom nuggets too.
•Pro: Speaking of wisdom nuggets. I found myself furiously highlighting throughout this book. So much food for thought.
•Pro: All the van Gogh stuff was really interesting, and I liked the way Polisner wove those bits into the story.
"And the sight of stars," she says, reaching up to point through the trees, "is always right there. Right in your line of vision. Even on the cloudiest day. They don't disappear, you know, just because the clouds are obscuring them. They're always still there. Waiting."
Overall: This was an achingly beautiful book about something painful, which I found to be honest, touching, and encouraging.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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December 1, 2019
After attempting suicide, Klee ends up in a psych hospital where he must deconstruct how he ended up so desperate and figure out how to move forward. Told in two timelines, high school senior is adjusting to his father’s suicide, a move to the suburbs and increasing depression.
I didn’t enjoy the reading experience of IN SIGHT OF STARS. The story never grabbed me and I never felt connected to Klee. At times I wasn’t certain whether he was hallucinating or whether Gae Polisner’s writing was metaphoric.
Following a suicide, loved ones are left with questions, even if the deceased has left a note. Survivors often piece together a story to make peace with the death. Almost never is there one Big Reason for the suicide. I believe Polisner made a mistake giving Klee’s father a Big Secret as a primary reason, because it minimizes the reality that the illness depression needs no more reason than the illness cancer or heart disease, although there many be contributing factors.
If IN SIGHT OF STARS has been a more enjoyable read, and plenty of books about depression are because of writing or compelling characters that connect to readers, I’d have rated it higher despite the depression issues.
I didn’t enjoy the reading experience of IN SIGHT OF STARS. The story never grabbed me and I never felt connected to Klee. At times I wasn’t certain whether he was hallucinating or whether Gae Polisner’s writing was metaphoric.
Following a suicide, loved ones are left with questions, even if the deceased has left a note. Survivors often piece together a story to make peace with the death. Almost never is there one Big Reason for the suicide. I believe Polisner made a mistake giving Klee’s father a Big Secret as a primary reason, because it minimizes the reality that the illness depression needs no more reason than the illness cancer or heart disease, although there many be contributing factors.
If IN SIGHT OF STARS has been a more enjoyable read, and plenty of books about depression are because of writing or compelling characters that connect to readers, I’d have rated it higher despite the depression issues.
August 6, 2019
If you are looking for an incredible young adult novel, be sure to pick up, "In Sight of Stars."
The MomAdvice Book Club was lucky enough to not only have a video chat with Gae, at our MomAdvice Reading Retreat, but she also joined us for our online book chat as well. Gae is one of those generous kinds of authors that is so giving of her time time and talks openly and honestly about her books.
If you are looking for an interactive book chat, this is YOUR GIRL.
Don't have a book club? You can join mine for free and find the chat with Gae under our Events tab.
This story explores the life of seventeen-year-old Klee (pronounced Clay) and the aching grief of losing his father. Klee's father was his world and was the one who introduced him to art by taking him to the MoMA and sharing his stories about the artists that hung on those walls.
When his father dies, a little part of Klee has died too and he can't help to think his mom might be partly to blame for his death.
Klee needs a little happiness in his life and when he meets Sarah, in his art class, he believes that she is just the ticket to bring him back out of his shell. She is everything he is not- wild, carefree, and lighthearted.
When Sarah betrays him though, Klee finds himself in a psychiatric hospital for teens where he is forced to deal with the emotions of his father's death, his anger with his mother, and losing the one person who brought him joy again.
Luckily, this boy is surrounded by a staff of helpers who help Klee come to terms with ALL OF IT and his role in these stories.
Polisner really opens this story in a way that makes it confusing to the reader and she does so purposefully. She wants her reader to understand what it is like in Klee's head and how hard it is for him.
More importantly, she confronts how the things we think we know about our parents aren't always the real story. She challenges her reader to look at their stories in a different light and with a little more grace than they might have before.
What teen doesn't need to hear that?
I really loved this novel and so many of our readers did too.
I would also recommend this one for older teens due to language, sex, and adult themes.
I encourage you to add this one to your stack!
The MomAdvice Book Club was lucky enough to not only have a video chat with Gae, at our MomAdvice Reading Retreat, but she also joined us for our online book chat as well. Gae is one of those generous kinds of authors that is so giving of her time time and talks openly and honestly about her books.
If you are looking for an interactive book chat, this is YOUR GIRL.
Don't have a book club? You can join mine for free and find the chat with Gae under our Events tab.
This story explores the life of seventeen-year-old Klee (pronounced Clay) and the aching grief of losing his father. Klee's father was his world and was the one who introduced him to art by taking him to the MoMA and sharing his stories about the artists that hung on those walls.
When his father dies, a little part of Klee has died too and he can't help to think his mom might be partly to blame for his death.
Klee needs a little happiness in his life and when he meets Sarah, in his art class, he believes that she is just the ticket to bring him back out of his shell. She is everything he is not- wild, carefree, and lighthearted.
When Sarah betrays him though, Klee finds himself in a psychiatric hospital for teens where he is forced to deal with the emotions of his father's death, his anger with his mother, and losing the one person who brought him joy again.
Luckily, this boy is surrounded by a staff of helpers who help Klee come to terms with ALL OF IT and his role in these stories.
Polisner really opens this story in a way that makes it confusing to the reader and she does so purposefully. She wants her reader to understand what it is like in Klee's head and how hard it is for him.
More importantly, she confronts how the things we think we know about our parents aren't always the real story. She challenges her reader to look at their stories in a different light and with a little more grace than they might have before.
What teen doesn't need to hear that?
I really loved this novel and so many of our readers did too.
I would also recommend this one for older teens due to language, sex, and adult themes.
I encourage you to add this one to your stack!
April 7, 2018
I absolutely adored this book. Gae Polisner always writes amazing characters, and In Sight of Stars is no exception. I also loved how the story unfolded itself to the reader, a mix of the present and the past. Polisner also deals with the important issue of mental health with beautiful grace and compassion. I think this has become my new favorite book by her. I highly recommend it.
April 28, 2020
Privind La Stele este un tablou. Un tablou de sentimente și trăiri ale unui adolescent deprimat, ce încearcă să găsească o explicație in ceea ce pare a fi viata lui.
Este singur, tocmai a pierdut cel mai important om din viața sa, o considera vinovată pe mama lui pentru tot ce s-a întâmplat, iar de aici pana la a cădea într-un hău este numai un pas.
Nu imi plac cărțile cu adolescenți triști, sinucigași sau cu probleme, (O fata in bucăți mi-a ajuns pentru tot anul asta), așa că atunci când m-am apucat sa citesc aceasta poveste, nu prea stiam despre ce e vb. Ar fi trebuit să citesc o recenzie înainte.
Sa va explic, cartea se citeste usor, nu e grea, dar e grea prin subiectul pe care îl dezbate, am avut un sentiment de apăsare continuă în momentul lecturarii si deși se menține un ton de "totul va fi bine", am simțit toată durerea acelui copil.
Mesajul cărții este unul puternic : "cand simtim ca nu mai putem, ca am ajuns oarecum la fundul sacului, e ideal sa cerem ajutor. Nimeni nu trebuie sa treaca prin asa ceva singur. Si mai ales, nimeni nu trebuie sa creada ca n-are nimic, când de fapt totul in jurul lui se prabuseste".
E greu sa mai scriu altceva despre carte, pt ca n-as stii ce sa mai spun. E o carte de citit de către toți cei care au pierdut pe cineva drag si se simt oarecum rataciti. E o carte despre regăsirea de sine si despre acceptare.
Ii dau 4 stele.
Închei cu un citat care mi se pare a ar fi esența acestei carti:
"Ţine minte, Klee, când presiunea e prea mare, oricine, dacă nu are susţinerea necesară, riscă să fie doborât de următorul necaz. De aceea trebuie să fim atenţi, să trăim conştient. Să
acţionăm după ceea ce ştim, nu după ceea ce ne sperie. Şi să cerem ajutor când avem nevoie. "
Acum am nevoie de o carte amuzantă, ca să mă dreg. 😁
Este singur, tocmai a pierdut cel mai important om din viața sa, o considera vinovată pe mama lui pentru tot ce s-a întâmplat, iar de aici pana la a cădea într-un hău este numai un pas.
Nu imi plac cărțile cu adolescenți triști, sinucigași sau cu probleme, (O fata in bucăți mi-a ajuns pentru tot anul asta), așa că atunci când m-am apucat sa citesc aceasta poveste, nu prea stiam despre ce e vb. Ar fi trebuit să citesc o recenzie înainte.
Sa va explic, cartea se citeste usor, nu e grea, dar e grea prin subiectul pe care îl dezbate, am avut un sentiment de apăsare continuă în momentul lecturarii si deși se menține un ton de "totul va fi bine", am simțit toată durerea acelui copil.
Mesajul cărții este unul puternic : "cand simtim ca nu mai putem, ca am ajuns oarecum la fundul sacului, e ideal sa cerem ajutor. Nimeni nu trebuie sa treaca prin asa ceva singur. Si mai ales, nimeni nu trebuie sa creada ca n-are nimic, când de fapt totul in jurul lui se prabuseste".
E greu sa mai scriu altceva despre carte, pt ca n-as stii ce sa mai spun. E o carte de citit de către toți cei care au pierdut pe cineva drag si se simt oarecum rataciti. E o carte despre regăsirea de sine si despre acceptare.
Ii dau 4 stele.
Închei cu un citat care mi se pare a ar fi esența acestei carti:
"Ţine minte, Klee, când presiunea e prea mare, oricine, dacă nu are susţinerea necesară, riscă să fie doborât de următorul necaz. De aceea trebuie să fim atenţi, să trăim conştient. Să
acţionăm după ceea ce ştim, nu după ceea ce ne sperie. Şi să cerem ajutor când avem nevoie. "
Acum am nevoie de o carte amuzantă, ca să mă dreg. 😁
December 19, 2017
I read the ARC of this book and I was engrossed immediately. Without giving anything away, Ms. Polisner managed to write with a level of compassion I was SURE that no one could achieve. Character driven, the story resonated for me on many levels and I was left with many emotions when I finished.. which is how I like my reads!
April 6, 2018
One of Gae’s best. It is because of stories like this that I love YA so much. Powerful!
March 13, 2018
I don't cry at books, I just don't. I get sad and do feel emotion for whatever is happening, but I don't ever shed physical tears. BUT HOLY WATERWORKS. This book got me. In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner melted my icy heart and sent tears streaming down my cheeks in droves. This story follows Klee (pronounced Clay), a teen struggling with his father's suicide, who in a moment of weakness hurts himself and ends up in a mental hospital (more fondly known as the Ape Can). It's then that he's forced to reconcile everything that's happened...with his dead father, with his mother, and most importantly with himself.
This book is 100% character driven, which is good because the characters were fantastic. Sister Agnes Theresa was such a joy! While at first she was a completely random character with her board games and snack delivery, she ended up being one of the biggest supporters of Klee. I also absolutely adored Dr. Alvarez. I thought she was supportive and nurturing in all the right ways, letting Klee take his time with things and pushing just enough to let progress blossom on its own. Between what Klee did for her at the end and what she revealed about herself to him, I just couldn't hold myself together. I really didn't like Sarah, but I don't think I was meant to. She's the typical manic pixie dream girl who takes what she wants without giving anything back, and even at the end she just left a bad taste in my mouth. Klee's mother was a difficult character to crack, but the more the story developed, the more you start to understand why the "Ice Queen" is the way she is.
And Klee himself, I have so much to say about Klee (but I can't without spoiling too much). From his love of Van Gogh to his fierce loyalty to his father, Klee is emotionally complex and raw. I loved seeing him open up to everyone in the Ape Can, and you could tell that no matter how much he was struggling, he really wanted to understand what was happening and get better.
I loved all the stories and flashbacks with Klee and his father, and the tales he told Klee to teach him about life. The whole thing was beautifully written and like I said before, it takes a lot to touch me enough to make me cry, and this story succeeded. Trigger warnings for suicide and self harm are definitely needed, but the subject was touched on in a sensitive and tender way. This book was deep and emotional, and one that will definitely stick with me for a while.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
A huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an early finished copy of this beauty. In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner is out TODAY so be sure to pick up a copy of this beautiful emotional roller coaster.
This book is 100% character driven, which is good because the characters were fantastic. Sister Agnes Theresa was such a joy! While at first she was a completely random character with her board games and snack delivery, she ended up being one of the biggest supporters of Klee. I also absolutely adored Dr. Alvarez. I thought she was supportive and nurturing in all the right ways, letting Klee take his time with things and pushing just enough to let progress blossom on its own. Between what Klee did for her at the end and what she revealed about herself to him, I just couldn't hold myself together. I really didn't like Sarah, but I don't think I was meant to. She's the typical manic pixie dream girl who takes what she wants without giving anything back, and even at the end she just left a bad taste in my mouth. Klee's mother was a difficult character to crack, but the more the story developed, the more you start to understand why the "Ice Queen" is the way she is.
And Klee himself, I have so much to say about Klee (but I can't without spoiling too much). From his love of Van Gogh to his fierce loyalty to his father, Klee is emotionally complex and raw. I loved seeing him open up to everyone in the Ape Can, and you could tell that no matter how much he was struggling, he really wanted to understand what was happening and get better.
I loved all the stories and flashbacks with Klee and his father, and the tales he told Klee to teach him about life. The whole thing was beautifully written and like I said before, it takes a lot to touch me enough to make me cry, and this story succeeded. Trigger warnings for suicide and self harm are definitely needed, but the subject was touched on in a sensitive and tender way. This book was deep and emotional, and one that will definitely stick with me for a while.
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
A huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me an early finished copy of this beauty. In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner is out TODAY so be sure to pick up a copy of this beautiful emotional roller coaster.
February 24, 2018
I have many, many things to say about this book... First I'd like to begin by saying thank you to NetGally for providing me with a pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on the 13th of March 2018.
Lets begin with how beautiful the cover is before we get serious. I love the sunflowers in the cover and the first thing I thought of when I saw the cover was Van Gogh, and how right I was.
This novel is about a young boy Klee (pronounced Clay) who's father (who was an artist and greatly inspired by Van Gogh) kills himself, Klee's this fact hard to deal with and he spends a couple of weeks in a psychiatric hospital working through what has happened.
Let us begin with Klee, basically he was messed up in the head. In more detail, Klee had witnessed some terrible things and because of it he wasn't well. I really liked how Polisner portrayed someone who has recently lost someone, it was very accurate (I wonder whether Polisner was able to do that due to extensive research or because she has experienced it herself?). I felt very strongly for Klee due to that fact that I have been in a similar situation (not the same but similar) and know how it feels, blaming yourself and everyone. Not feeling like you are loved, and finding it hard to make connections with people. From my own experiences, I cried at times when Klee was particularly effected by what had happened to him and felt equally happy in the moments he did as well.
Full: http://whosella.blogspot.com/2018/02/...
Lets begin with how beautiful the cover is before we get serious. I love the sunflowers in the cover and the first thing I thought of when I saw the cover was Van Gogh, and how right I was.
This novel is about a young boy Klee (pronounced Clay) who's father (who was an artist and greatly inspired by Van Gogh) kills himself, Klee's this fact hard to deal with and he spends a couple of weeks in a psychiatric hospital working through what has happened.
Let us begin with Klee, basically he was messed up in the head. In more detail, Klee had witnessed some terrible things and because of it he wasn't well. I really liked how Polisner portrayed someone who has recently lost someone, it was very accurate (I wonder whether Polisner was able to do that due to extensive research or because she has experienced it herself?). I felt very strongly for Klee due to that fact that I have been in a similar situation (not the same but similar) and know how it feels, blaming yourself and everyone. Not feeling like you are loved, and finding it hard to make connections with people. From my own experiences, I cried at times when Klee was particularly effected by what had happened to him and felt equally happy in the moments he did as well.
Full: http://whosella.blogspot.com/2018/02/...
June 3, 2019
Când a ajuns la mine romanul „Privind la stele” de pe Libmag, nici măcar nu îi prevedeam substanța și greutatea cu care acesta va apăsa pe suflet. Este genul acela de carte care se citește cu inima, neapărat cu ea, pentru a ajunge să îi înțelegi mesajul pe deplin. Subiectul abordat de Gae Polisner este unul deosebit de sensibil și de actual, fapt pentru care nu ai cum să nu parcurgi fiecare pagină în parte cu lacrimile amenințând să coboare șiroaie pe obrajii tăi. Autoarea vorbește despre depresia și anxietatea survenite în urma pierderii unuia dintre oamenii cei mai dragi și apropiați sufletului, fapt care este dus pe picioare de către personajul principal timp de un an, iar acest lucru îi păcălește pe toți cei din jur, chiar și pe Klee însuși, care consideră că lucrurile încep să se așeze. Tocmai din această cauză, gestul lui extrem îl va lua prin surprindere atât pe el, cât și pe cei din jur, căci când se prăbușește, Klee o face în cel mai urât mod cu putință. Suferința ce mocnea în el îl lovește precum o tornadă și îl cuprinde în vârtejul său, ducându-l la halucinații și în pragul disperării. Însă, cu toate că tematica aleasă este una foarte delicată, autoarea reușește să păstreze o notă optimistă, oferind personaje cheie, care au darul de a repara durerile lui Klee și de a fi acolo pentru el. Astfel, ea ne arată că prin viață nu putem trece întotdeauna singuri, ci avem nevoie de oameni cărora să le împărtășim suferințele noastre și care să ne ofere o nouă perspectivă asupra vieții, aceea care să ne arate luminița de la capătul tunelului, căci, chiar dacă ne este imposibil să o observăm, ea există, este acolo, iar acest lucru ar trebui să fie suficient pentru a continua lupta cu viață și pentru a merge mai departe.
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April 17, 2018
"For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream."- Vincent Van Gogh
I know nothing with any certainty, but the reading of each Gae Polisner novel makes me think and feel more deeply about life. I've read everything she's written and she continues blowing me away! In her latest YA book she introduces us to Klee (pronounced Clay-as in Paul Klee) a talented high school artist who is reeling from the recent suicide of his beloved father. His mother uproots him from their home and life in New York City shortly after his death. Here he meets Sarah, who seems to bring him some much needed happiness. But Klee is struggling to come to grips with his new life; he is angry at his mother, feels hurt and betrayed by Sarah, and abandoned by his father. In a moment of desperation he commits a Van Gogh-inspired act that lands him in the "Ape Can"- a psychiatric hospital. Here, some unlikely new acquaintances help Klee untangle the messy reality of his life. Masterfully told in alternating timelines, we walk in Klee's shoes and feel his despair and healing. For older readers looking for an extraordinary read.
I know nothing with any certainty, but the reading of each Gae Polisner novel makes me think and feel more deeply about life. I've read everything she's written and she continues blowing me away! In her latest YA book she introduces us to Klee (pronounced Clay-as in Paul Klee) a talented high school artist who is reeling from the recent suicide of his beloved father. His mother uproots him from their home and life in New York City shortly after his death. Here he meets Sarah, who seems to bring him some much needed happiness. But Klee is struggling to come to grips with his new life; he is angry at his mother, feels hurt and betrayed by Sarah, and abandoned by his father. In a moment of desperation he commits a Van Gogh-inspired act that lands him in the "Ape Can"- a psychiatric hospital. Here, some unlikely new acquaintances help Klee untangle the messy reality of his life. Masterfully told in alternating timelines, we walk in Klee's shoes and feel his despair and healing. For older readers looking for an extraordinary read.
November 13, 2023
“For excitement, there is lethargy; for wealth, the risk of losing it all, going bankrupt, you see? But we play the game anyway. What else is there to do? So, we roll the dice and keep hoping.”
This was … fine? Good? Not sure how to classify it. I really liked the mental health representation, specifically how Klee’s therapist and healing journey was portrayed. I loved the art woven throughout. I really hated Sarah’s character (she was so one dimensional and way too manic pixie dream girl) and found the jumping around structure jarring sometimes. Also what the heck did those stories mean at the end? Still confused about that.
This was … fine? Good? Not sure how to classify it. I really liked the mental health representation, specifically how Klee’s therapist and healing journey was portrayed. I loved the art woven throughout. I really hated Sarah’s character (she was so one dimensional and way too manic pixie dream girl) and found the jumping around structure jarring sometimes. Also what the heck did those stories mean at the end? Still confused about that.
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