| Thirteen Reasons Why | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Jay Asher |
| Cover artist | Christian Fuenfhausen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young-adult |
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Publication date | 2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 288 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-1-59514-171-2 |
| OCLC Number | 85622684 |
| LC Classification | PZ7.A8155 Th 2008 |
Thirteen Reasons Why (stylized as Th1rteen R3asons Why) is a 2007 New York Times best-selling young-adult fiction novel written by Jay Asher. The book was published by RazorBill, a young adult imprint of Penguin Books. The paperback edition hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in July 2011. In May 2011, a website called 13RWProject.com launched where fans of the book can record their reviews and experiences as text, photo or video. Jay Asher's book has been published in Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Australia, and Vietnam.
Contents |
Clay Jensen, a somewhat shy California high school student, returns home from school one day to find an anonymously-sent package sitting on his doorstep. Upon opening it, he discovers that it is a shoebox containing seven cassette tapes recorded by the late Hannah Baker, his classmate and emotional crush who recently committed suicide. The tapes were initially mailed to one classmate with instructions to pass them from one student to another, in the style of a chain letter. On the tapes, Hannah explains to thirteen people how they played a role in her death, by giving thirteen reasons to explain why she took her life. Hannah has given a second set of tapes to one of their classmates, the identity of whom Clay later discovers, and warns the people on the tapes that if they do not pass them on, the second set will be leaked to the entire student body. This could lead to the public embarrassment and shame of certain people, while others could face physical harassment charges or jail time. Through the audio narrative, Hannah reveals her pain and suffering and the slide into depression that ultimately leads to her suicide.
Universal Studios purchased film rights to the novel on February 8, 2011. Selena Gomez has the main role of Hannah Baker. Logan Lerman is rumored to play Clay Jenson. The film adaption is expected to be released in 2012.
"Writing this book made me realize how fascinated I am by the way people interact...and the obstacles that keep us from understanding each other better." [1]
This is further illustrated in a quote from the text, in Hannah Baker's voice, "I guess that's the point of it all. No one knows for certain how much of impact they have on the lives of other people. Often we have no clue."[2]
Also, the book is used as summer reading for students entering high school in some schools, due to its realistic themes and powerful messages.