BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Downham, Jenny. 2007. BEFORE I DIE. Oxford, New York: David Fickling Books. ISBN 0385751583

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel is about a sixteen year old girl, Tessa, who is fighting the battle of her life.  After battling cancer for four years she undergoes treatment in order to cope with the last few months of her life.  Not knowing how to cope with the knowledge of death and know it is coming so soon Tessa creates a list of ten things to do before she dies.  Number one on her list being…sex.  Tessa’s body struggles to keep up however she feels alive by experiencing all of the new things she wanted to accomplish from her list.  At first her father is confused about the list however he comes to realize the list keeps her mind off of death and focused more on living.  Tessa’s best friend, Zoey, stays by her side through the entire journey.

Downham writes this novel in first person through the eyes of Tessa.  The book is enriched through all of the strong supporting characters.  Reader’s young and old alike will be able to relate to this book.  Some readers may have already experienced death while others may have not yet.  This book can help readers understand they are not alone on this issue or prepare them for when they are faced with death. 

BEFORE I DIE is full of symbolism which shows up through symbolic relationships and events.  Her best friend becomes pregnant which is symbolic of the life cycle in full swing.  A neighbor, Adam is dealing with his own loss giving Tessa the romance she is so longing for.  Tessa’s mother’s appearance in her life and the return to her favorite vacation destination are also examples of the symbolism used in this book. 

Though this book is difficult to read at times it is worth the emotions you will face.  Tessa makes the reader feel as if they want to leap into the book to give her encouragement through this tough time.  Especially in the last few days of Tessa’s life.  Downham makes reader’s feel the emotions of the characters.  Readers will experience the grief and panic the characters felt in the book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

* Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS (September 2007): “Lucid language make a painful journey bearable, beautiful, and transcendent.”

* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (August 2007): “The eloquent dying teen can seem a staple of the YA novel, but this British debut completely breaks the mold.  Downham holds nothing back in her wrenching and exceptionally vibrant story.”

*A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVEW (October 14, 2007) states “This may sound too depressing for words, but it is only once indication of the inspired originality of BEFORE I DIE, by Jenny Downham, that the reader can finish its last pages feeling thrillingly alive…I don’t care how old you are.  This book will not leave you.”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“Bye, tess.  Haunt me if you like.  I don’t mind.”

*“Keep breathing.  Just keep doing it.  It’s easy.  In and out.”

*“I want to die in my own way.  It’s my illness, my death, my choice.  This is what saying yes means.”

*“All I know is that I have two choices – stay wrapped in blankets and get on with dying, or get the list back together and get on with living.”

--- Jenny Downham, BEFORE I DIE