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khairun_atika's review
3.0
This is the story of Alex, the black sheep of the Hudson family who is often shunned by his father and brother - because he prefers water polo to rowing. Alex embraces his differences, but often finds himself the target of their taunts and finds solace only with the bond he shares with his younger sister, Mia. This is the poignant story of Mia's death, and how Alex tries to move on and live in a family without the person he cared for the most. It is heartbreaking to immerse yourself in a story of guilt, as Alex finds himself caught in an accident and bonds with a cancer-stricken girl. Alex soon learns how to stand up for himself, and learns the meaning of life as he comes to terms with the events surrounding Mia's death. He also accepts the fact that life has to go on, and starts to mend the stagnant relationships he has with his family members. A beautiful coming-of-age story.
stories's review
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Very easy to read & gripping. Non linear with constantly shifting times as the patchwork of events is stitched together.
Alex loves his baby sister but the rest of the family not so much. He’s into water polo, not rowing, and seems to be a decent person rather than an A-grade asshole & bully. Shame Dad sees that as not living up to his older brother’s fine example.
Interesting authorial choices for the ending.
Alex loves his baby sister but the rest of the family not so much. He’s into water polo, not rowing, and seems to be a decent person rather than an A-grade asshole & bully. Shame Dad sees that as not living up to his older brother’s fine example.
Interesting authorial choices for the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Cancer, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
A significant amount of the book is set in a hospital.evamargaret's review
5.0
I loved this book. It was really sad but sad books are the best kind of books. Highly recommend
locan's review
5.0
Haha! I have finally found a book that is set in present-day Australia!!!! *victory dance*
ornamentalhermit's review
4.0
Pro tip: do not read this book on the train. If you're anything like me you will have to try and awkwardly hide the fact that it has brought you to tears...that being said I absolutely loved this book. The parallel narratives within it were beautifully interwoven so that they appeared seamless. My heart broke for Alex and his family, and it broke over Mackie's lists getting less and less adventurous.
I love the very real depiction of grief, and such a good portrayal of a psychologist! So often they are depicted as the bad guys, but Paul's work in this book was exactly how a therapeutic relationship should be developed!
It never hurts when a book is set in Australia, and it was even better to have it in Melbourne (so close to home). It's so much easier to connect with a character when their cultural upbringing matches yours so seamlessly.
Sue Lawson tackles some very real issues in this book: family, grief, death and she does this in a respectful manner. She made me feel real emotions for her characters. I cried over them, and smiled with them. Overall a fantastic effort on her behalf.
I love the very real depiction of grief, and such a good portrayal of a psychologist! So often they are depicted as the bad guys, but Paul's work in this book was exactly how a therapeutic relationship should be developed!
It never hurts when a book is set in Australia, and it was even better to have it in Melbourne (so close to home). It's so much easier to connect with a character when their cultural upbringing matches yours so seamlessly.
Sue Lawson tackles some very real issues in this book: family, grief, death and she does this in a respectful manner. She made me feel real emotions for her characters. I cried over them, and smiled with them. Overall a fantastic effort on her behalf.
avsfan08's review
3.0
Although it sounded interesting, I was hesitant to read this as neurosurgery is my area of nursing specialty. Yes, there are some errors but I don't want to be overly nitpicky because this isn't a medical book. There were two that bothered me. The first is the use of intern - an intern in Australia is a newly graduated doctor. You would not have a group of them in any medical specialty, much less neurosurgery. I work in one of the hospitals in Melbourne (the setting for the book) and we don't even have one intern because it's too challenging. The other was Alex struggling to open his breakfast ever morning. That was just insulting! Every morning (and other meals) my colleagues and myself, ensure our patients are set up for their meals including opening lids and cutting up meals, as well as feeding those that need help.
Another thing I have to add because it was bothering me - nurses talk to their comatose patients. Every time we do something with them or to them we talk to them. They are still people to us and we believe they can hear us. When we open the blinds we mention the weather, when we are about to do obs/take blood etc we say what we're about to do. Sometimes we just talk about random stuff.
I did like the book, even though I felt the set up of Alex and Mackie rooming together was a bit contrived and probably wouldn't realistically happen. I thought each chapter flowed well into the next. I loved reading Alex's interactions with Mia and their bond was just lovely. There were a few teary moments later in the book. I'm happy that it had a hopeful ending and not a magical fix.
Another thing I have to add because it was bothering me - nurses talk to their comatose patients. Every time we do something with them or to them we talk to them. They are still people to us and we believe they can hear us. When we open the blinds we mention the weather, when we are about to do obs/take blood etc we say what we're about to do. Sometimes we just talk about random stuff.
I did like the book, even though I felt the set up of Alex and Mackie rooming together was a bit contrived and probably wouldn't realistically happen. I thought each chapter flowed well into the next. I loved reading Alex's interactions with Mia and their bond was just lovely. There were a few teary moments later in the book. I'm happy that it had a hopeful ending and not a magical fix.
sjwhi's review
5.0
This book is everything, Sue Lawson is a wonderful writer and woman and nobody will ever tell me otherwise. You Don’t Even Know has been on repeat in my mind all week and it has found a top spot on the favourites shelf. I love it so much.
Sue Lawson has always been and will forever be one of my favourite writers and women. Her first young adult novel Allie McGregor’s True Colour’s (2006) is the first young adult novel I remember reading and loving endlessly. It’s this book and its style of writing that made me want to become a writer myself. I will forever be a fan of Sue’s, especially after playing a very minor (almost nonexistent) part in the publication for Dare You, her 2010 novel.
You Don’t Even Know is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Fighting a daily battle in the family war, Alex struggles to fit into his family with ease, his brothers being the favourites and his mother unable to speak for herself, only with her husband’s words. Alex’s little sister Mia is his anchor, much the same as his passion for water polo and swimming. In between stories of home, school and the pool, Alex walks readers through his journey in hospital after an accident. It’s written really interestingly. For the most part, the last word in a chapter is the same as the first word in the next, making the story flow seamlessly.
In the chapters set in the hospital, readers are introduced to Mackie, who stays unconscious under blankets of treatment and medication for most of the book. Despite not having a voice, Mackie becomes a character readers tend to rely on, she provides another view of the world which Alex finds in Mackie’s bedside scrapbook. The two, regardless of circumstances, have a connection unlike any other, and like Mia, Mackie becomes an anchor for Alex.
It’s the second half of the book that really grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me up. You follow Alex through love and loss, you find out what happens with his family and you learn about the truth behind his accident. The ending is powerful and memorable, making you want to go back to the start and reread the whole thing. I love this book so much. So, so much.
If the rest of the books on the list are as good as this one, I’m looking forward to finishing them off!
Sue Lawson has always been and will forever be one of my favourite writers and women. Her first young adult novel Allie McGregor’s True Colour’s (2006) is the first young adult novel I remember reading and loving endlessly. It’s this book and its style of writing that made me want to become a writer myself. I will forever be a fan of Sue’s, especially after playing a very minor (almost nonexistent) part in the publication for Dare You, her 2010 novel.
You Don’t Even Know is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. Fighting a daily battle in the family war, Alex struggles to fit into his family with ease, his brothers being the favourites and his mother unable to speak for herself, only with her husband’s words. Alex’s little sister Mia is his anchor, much the same as his passion for water polo and swimming. In between stories of home, school and the pool, Alex walks readers through his journey in hospital after an accident. It’s written really interestingly. For the most part, the last word in a chapter is the same as the first word in the next, making the story flow seamlessly.
In the chapters set in the hospital, readers are introduced to Mackie, who stays unconscious under blankets of treatment and medication for most of the book. Despite not having a voice, Mackie becomes a character readers tend to rely on, she provides another view of the world which Alex finds in Mackie’s bedside scrapbook. The two, regardless of circumstances, have a connection unlike any other, and like Mia, Mackie becomes an anchor for Alex.
It’s the second half of the book that really grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me up. You follow Alex through love and loss, you find out what happens with his family and you learn about the truth behind his accident. The ending is powerful and memorable, making you want to go back to the start and reread the whole thing. I love this book so much. So, so much.
If the rest of the books on the list are as good as this one, I’m looking forward to finishing them off!
cryforhelp's review
3.0
Fucking depressing for this hour of the night. Nice ending though. Wasn't a huge fan about the way that parting message was framed. I mean, We been knew who the real cowards are. The catharsis in that last argument was there, sure but still felt a little bit like point scoring over the death of Mia, a little bit.
missusb21's review
4.0
This heart-breaking book has a very interesting structure. While the present happenings are chronological and the secrets revealed in a linear way, the flashbacks to the past events are random although deliberately so.
Alex's life is a bit of a disaster. I kept thinking that the kid really deserved a break. His resilience, his love for Mia and his caring attitude to Mackie make Alex a genuinely amazing person.
I grieve for him, and I want to hug him, and say it'll be ok.
So many excellent Aussie YA this year.
Alex's life is a bit of a disaster. I kept thinking that the kid really deserved a break. His resilience, his love for Mia and his caring attitude to Mackie make Alex a genuinely amazing person.
I grieve for him, and I want to hug him, and say it'll be ok.
So many excellent Aussie YA this year.