Challenge Corner discussion

For the past five years, Hayley Kincain and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.

Will being back home help Andy’s PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.

Starting this today - will update later

I'm on chapter 14 now. I'm getting a feel for it, but it's not Laurie Halse Anderson like I'm used to. Hopefully it picks up the pace soon.

Sorry for some reason I didn't save these links to my spreadsheet. Will start this soon.

No problem. I didn't read any today, but I'll read more tomorrow

Chapters 1-21 (view spoiler)[I’m enjoying this so far. I like Fin and how he keeps showing up for her. I feel like she needs someone who is there for her in her life right now. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 22-40 (view spoiler)[I’m really enjoying this so far. I love how he took her out of a date without telling her and how they went to the graveyard. I think it’ll be interesting to see her dad’s character grow and heal. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 41-53 (view spoiler)[ I really like these two together! I love how she just was like “let’s go visit the college you want to go to” (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[Well I was not expecting that whole thing at the end. I’m glad no one dies though. That would have been sad. I enjoyed this one overall! (hide spoiler)]

I almost DNFed it, but I decided to push through and I'm on chapter 40 now. I'll try to finish today.

I agree with you about Fin being someone that she needs in her life. I was glad to see her dad more like himself while the army guys were there, but he seems to be on a decline now

Also I need to know what his ex did to her while he was away (since she can't seem to remember anything from that time)!

I finally finished it last night. I think the storyline was alright.

I liked some of the interactions between Hayley and Finn, but didn't like how they would just ghost each other. I'm glad that everyone was safe and I hope they're able to get the help they need. However, it was still a far cry from the Laurie Halse Anderson that I'm used to.

Not a fan of this one.

Chapter 1-23: (view spoiler)[I am not a huge fan of this one yet, I understand Andy has PTSD but he needs to get help and not traumatize his daughter too by not being able to take care of himself. It's clear that isolation has done quite a bit of harm and she now doesn't let anyone get close to her. Finn seems ok enough, the way he keeps hanging around her I guess it won't be long until he is able to start breaking down the walls Hayley has built around herself (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24-41: (view spoiler)[I absolutely loved Finn and Hayley's first date or shall i say anti-date lol, it was truly the only way Finn could have gone on a date with her. I like that she is now opening up to him a bit. For a moment there, it seemed like Andy was getting better but then it was back to square one for him. I was scared when he threw Hayley's phone into the bonfire. I hope he is able to get rid of his demons soon and heal his relationship with his daughter. Their visit to the cemetery was a sweet gesture (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 42-57: (view spoiler)[Finn has been really good for Hayley's mental health ngl, he is keeping her sane through all this. How difficult it must be to navigate life with a parent who keeps going hot and cold all the time. I wish Andy would get the help he needs , maybe Trish coming back would be good for him? Watching Hayley go through all the normal high school kid experiences with Finn is kinda making me want to give the guy a hug, he is literally the sweetest. Hate the situation with Gracie's family (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 58-74: (view spoiler)[Andy keeps getting worse, no wonder Trish is struggling so badly, he won't listen to absolutely anyone and that is annoying me to a great extent. I like that Hayley is so dedicated towards her father but at some point she needs to realise that he really does need all the help he can get and Trish is not wrong in suggesting therapy. I hate Hayley's attitude sometimes because it feels like she doesn't consider anyone else's problems as such major issues and is always in her own head (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ Hmm this was a good enough ending although I am disappointed by the fact that Hayley literally had to blackmail her dad not to jump otherwise she'd jump as well. I do feel like it was her dad's responsibility to get the help he needed so that he could be a better parent to her instead of deciding to leave the whole responsibility on Trish. Finn was my favourite character throughout it all. Hayley was so rude to him at times but he never gave up and I honestly find him so sweet (hide spoiler)]