Reviews

The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork

hayleybeale's review against another edition

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4.0

After a failed attempt at suicide, Vicky is hospitalized. There she is grouped up with three other teens and they, together with her doctor, help her towards understanding and healing. Gorgeously written, with four sturdily developed central characters (who are all Hispanic), this novel about recovering from depression may also be helpful to teens feeling overwhelmed and helpless. See my full review here.

ejecily's review against another edition

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Hits too close to home

shelbyday's review against another edition

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3.0

Great story about the heavy topic of mental illness. The main character was diagnosed with depression, but supporting characters suffered from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anger issues. This book shows how easy it is to lose yourself to these issues, but also gives hope that your illness does not define who you are or the choices you make. I would love to read a follow-up story. I was really attached to the characters.

katieeigenfeld's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

romantasylife's review against another edition

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3.0

Trigger Warning: Suicide attempt, overdose, depression.

To be honest, I’m having a hard time writing this review. I don’t know whether I liked it or didn’t like it. I feel like the representation for depression was done well in this book. Which is why I’m giving it the rating that I am.

I just didn’t like this story. I don’t know why I didn’t like this story. I honestly felt like DNFing this book a few times. I just really wanted to see what happened in the end.

katreadingbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a very good story. It follows a girl who attempted suicide and the weeks that follow of her treatment. Loss of 1 star due to the fact no doctor would be so open about others treatment so I was a little picky about that.

The author himself suffers from depression and suicide attempt. To give voice to the struggle was one reason this book caught my attention.

missmary98's review against another edition

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4.0

This was deep. So so deep.

katpop's review against another edition

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5.0

This book destroyed me. I related to Viky and her depression in such a strong way that I kept needing to stop reading due to my thoughts. I am so happy that I finished it, though. This book is about Vicky's mental health after she attempts to take her own life and the friends she made who understood her and helped her. I definitely recommend this book. But know that though it is not explicit, if you can relate to having suicidal ideations, this book may trigger you.

maryehavens's review against another edition

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3.0

Really 3.5. Stork mentioned that he wrote this book after his own suicide attempt as a way to process the days/weeks/months afterward. He said there was a gap in literature that talked about the after.
I think Vicky's journey likely mirrors Stork's own story. I'm sure the other characters' stories are similar to other people's as well. For me, there were a few too many stories and I lost track. It didn't help that I had frequent interruptions in my listening - that's on me.
I appreciated Stork sharing his own story at the end. And I don't think he means for anyone's story in this book to be prescriptive but I can see how someone that is searching might see that.