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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
The world is not tame.
Ashley knows this truth deep in her bones, more at home with trees overhead than a roof. So when she goes hiking in the Smokies with her friends for a night of partying, the falling dark and creaking trees are second nature to her. But people are not tame either. And when Ashley catches her boyfriend with another girl, drunken rage sends her running into the night, stopped only by a nasty fall into a ravine. Morning brings the realization that she's alone - and far off trail. Lost in undisturbed forest and with nothing but the clothes on her back, Ashley must figure out how to survive despite the red streak of infection creeping up her leg.
Review:
I went camping a lot as a kid. My parents were Girl Scout leaders and I have fond memories of learning all about the essentials to surviving in the woods. It's been many years since I learned those lessons, so if I were lost in the woods, I am dubious as to whether or not I would remember anything useful.
The protagonist in Be Not Far From Me, Ashley, had those lessons quite fresh in her mind, and yet even she struggles when she is separated from her friends on a camping trip. This was a gripping, harrowing story. But as much as I admired Ashley for her fortitude, it was a difficult novel to read.
What I Liked:
The tag line of the book is, "The world is not tame", and the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee certainly live up to this saying. The author either must have spent time camping in these woods in order for her to have such vivid descriptions of the flora and fauna of the area. Everything is potentially dangerous. Rocks can crush you, sticks can impale you, animals can attack. Add to this the quickly changing weather, and you have beautiful, yet treacherous surroundings
Characters:
I fount Ashley hard to appreciate at first. Halfway into reading this book, I wrote in my notes that I didn't like Ashley. This is because she is full of anger and lashes out at people with seemingly no regrets. But this changes in the course of the novel.
As the book progresses, we learn much more about Ashley's challenging life, and why she would be so mad at the world. This doesn't excuse some of her choices, but they become more understandable. And she does begin to reflect on how she might behave if she lives through this.
As hard as her life is, Ashley does have some solid people supporting her. Her friends, Kavita and Meredith are aware of how poor her family is, finding ways to share their food with her, but never make her feel awkward about it.
I was also really impressed with Ashley's dad. Too often in books and movies, fathers are portrayed as deadbeats, and losers who care little for their children. Even though her dad can't provide very well financially, he finds lots of ways to show her her cares. He actually spends time with his daughter, doing free things like going to the library, and doing outdoor activities like hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping.
It was such a refreshing portrait of a father trying to do his best in a hard situation.
Story:
I was captivated by this story of survival. There were enough twists and turns in this book to make me wonder of Ashley actually would survive (and just how altered her future would be after) this ordeal.
What I Was Mixed About:
Yes, this is a story of survival, and of course things are going to get rough when you're main character is seriously injured. But I felt the gruesome details just went on and on. It's a compliment to the author that this book is so vivid, as I'm sure I'll have nightmares about what happens to poor Ashley! But be warned: if you are squeamish, this is a book you will want to avoid!
Rating:
Release Date: March 3rd, 2020
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Page Length: 240 pages
Source: Edelweiss
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A harrowing story of survival. Very compelling but NOT for the squeamish!
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