Dear Edward: A Novel

It can take years to learn to deal with memories, good ones are a no brainer, it is the traumatic, the tragic memories that burn into your soul. In this novel we travel with Bruce as he lives out his memories with us. On a day, Bruce and his brother, Jordan, and his mom and dad are flying to California where his mom will start a new job .This is the job of a lifetime, and as they all get on the plane, after Jordan has had his song and dance about going through the Newark Airport’s body scanner, the family is happy, off to a new start.As the flight progresses, they meet some of the 188 passengers and flight attendants, when suddenly over Colorado, the airplane goes down. Bruce, 12, at the time is the only survivor. He had been found still strapped this seat shouting, ‘I am her, I am here,’ After a time in hospital, he goes to a new home of an aunt and uncle he hardly knows. He is ensconced In an old nursery that had never been used. It was uncomfortable, and Bruce was not able to sleep in this room. He struck up a friendship with a girl next door, Shay, and slept in her house until he was a teenager.We are with Bruce throughout this time, his PTSD, his reactions to the loss of his family, particularly! Jordan,, his brother. He lives day to day to day, the best he can. The author has developed a process of present day with Bruce, then back to the passengers on the plane. We learn about their past lives, the gay soldier, the beautiful flight attendant who lived for the significant looks from other people, a woman who remembered past lives. In this manner the characters do come alive, particularly when Bruce receives the hundreds of letters from relatives of the passengers who died. Bruce is their closest memory of the people they loved. All of these memories help Bruce to recover physically from his injuries, but most importantly emotionally. Shay becomes the presence he needs by his side.This is a book of such severe consequences for so many people. The characters are all part of the healing, and they give credence to the back stories and emotions that envelop and overwhelm Bruce at times. Trying to clear his head through this fog, gives Bruce purpose, and it gives us understanding. A timely book for all of us who have suffered anxiety and despair particularly through this time, but also a pathway to the future.Recommended. prisrob 01-06-2020

This was the most disappointing read I have experienced in a very long time. I won't give away any actual spoilers but I will provide some "situationals" for clarification. The author expects us to believe that a teenager of 15 is able to skip school and take a cab to New York, pay a fortune teller and see his brothers girlfriend, and take a cab back home but this same teen has no job and no income. He also is allowed at the age of 12 to walk over the neighbors and sleep on the floor of the girl next door (every single night), who apparently has no say so even though she declares it "weird" because her grandmother views this as a blessing since 'she doesn't have any friends'. And the unrealistic settings don't stop on the ground. Take for one example the First Class flight attendant who contemplates gender bias in her paycheck as easily as she finds herself suddenly having sex in the bathroom with a stranger at 35,000 ft.But by far the biggest problem with the story is the authors pushing the narrative that anyone would care about a plane crash, no matter how horrific, 3-4 years after the event to the extent that they would write to Edward giving him life advice (there is more to that aspect but that would be giving out actual spoilers). You only need to watch the news today to understand that unless we are personally involved in the event, we move on from tragedy rather quickly as a species. And honestly, that is the biggest problem with this book - the unbelievable character actions don't connect us enough to any of them, let alone Edward, to keep us personally involved enough to care.

By far the easiest 5-star review I have written. I read this in one sitting, didn't (and couldn't ) stop to eat or look at a phone. 12yo Edward's story is compelling and you root for him to understand and deal with the trauma of a plane crash that has killed his parents and beloved only older brother and destroyed his entire life as he knows it. This is not a spoiler; it's disclosed up-front. The author writes convincingly of his initial shock and confusion and of the long, slow process of moving forward with his brutally-upended life. The book describes Edward's voice in age-appropriate terms: You'll believe that he's a young 12 at the start and a young, free 18 at the end.It's devoid of platitudes or soap opera stuff.Edward is "lucky" that he is largely surrounded by well-meaning, loving people even if they can't always figure out what's the best thing for him or how to handle what's going on in his head.A book about a plane crash would not be my first choice of reading material, and I was glad I was not reading on a plane, but it does make for good drama as the passengers go unknowingly about planning their lives, unaware of their fate. It's a good reminder that we should all do what we can when we can - we are never guaranteed a future.For those concerned, there are no gory scenes and no description of body parts. Thank goodness. There is a lot of well-meaning love.I loved this book.

This was very well written. A very good book. The Adler family is flying from NYC to LA to start a new life. Bruce and Jane and their two boys, Jordan, 15 and Eddie 12. The author introduces you to several others on this flight, a hotshot Wall Street guy, the impossibly beautiful, yet unsatisfied flight attendant, a bitter, cancer ridden tycoon, a young pregnant woman, an injured soldier flying back home, etc. These were delicious vignettes that I really enjoyed. The plane crashes violently over Colorado -- Eddie is the lone survivor.Eddie is taken in by his aunt and uncle in New Jersey where he struggles to recover both physically and emotionally. He forms a bond with his new teenaged neighbor, Shay. Eddie goes on a harrowing psychological journey, as do his aunt and uncle to ultimately come to terms with the crash and its aftermath. This book was very enjoyable. It did lag a bit towards the end. However, it is incredibly worthwhile and has an uplifting ending.

Inspired by real events the author portrays a young survivor, his guilt, his grief and his growth into manhood which will be forever in the shade of his traumatic experience and tragic loss of his family. This book was hard to put down, it was emotionally challenging and deeply moving.The observations on board the plane are very descriptive, each hoping for a new life a better opportunity ultimately building to a tragic accident and loss of life.As a librarian I've had the opportunity to witness popular books with many not living up to expectations. This one does deserve it's popularity and will be a contemporary classic.

This book had me crying at page 20. It is so beautifully written and extremely moving - would make a superb film. The author seems to have entered right into Edward's mind, and everything she writes explains it perfectly - his moods, his silences, his confusion, his longing, his shock - it really made me think deeply about the mind of a child in this dreadful situation and how he would or wouldn't cope. (It actually brought me back to when I was 12, and my 6yr old sister died. It was never discussed between me, my parents and brothers for over 40 years. And then, when we did discuss it briefly at my Mum's and then my Dad's funerals, we were too choked up with emotion to talk about her death - and we still haven't been able to.) It's written in a very clever way, with the reader discovering things about the victims after they've died, and reading the requests to Edward from the family and friends through the letters - what a great way to tell the story. My favourite part of the book was when Edward and his Uncle become close and hug - a breakthrough. It's a fantastic book and I will buy it for friends and especially, my brother Eddie - his name was the reason I even looked at this book. I'm so glad I did. LOVE IT!! X

When a plane crashes leaving only one survivor, twelve year-old Edward, Ann Napolitano’s ‘Dear Edward’ calls into question what life’s purpose is, handling this subject with honesty and realism, but with underlying optimism and hope.The novel is split into two parts in alternating chapters, the first focusing on the hours leading up to the tragic crash and several of the individual victims on board the flight, and the second on the central character of Edward, and those surrounding him in the days, months and years following the tragedy.Napolitano writes realistic characters, that are not necessarily all likeable, but all with a level of vulnerability that rises to the surface when faced with their own, and their loved-ones’ immortality. As a result of this, the characters that form the focal point of the novel are particularly endearing, and I felt almost protective of them, particularly of Edward and his best friend Shay.Napolitano’s writing is straight-forward and flows easily, which I think is important for this novel, as the subject matter does not make for an easy read, and by adopting a simplistic style, leaves the reader free to deal with the complex themes of loss and separation, grief and trauma, and their lasting impact.Napolitano sees her characters reflect on what life is, and what do we do with it,…inviting the reader to consider the same philosophical questions…with each of three parts to the novel starting with a philosophical, thought-provoking quote my favourite of which being: ‘Since death is certain, but the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?’ Pema Chödrön.I was deeply moved by this novel, and could not find a fault with it, hence my 5 rating. However, I would add the caution that there are so many emotional triggers in this novel, it is not one to enter into lightly.

“Some people live in the now; other people prefer to reside in the past – either choice is valid.”Dear Edward is an emotionally gripping and deeply moving novel about a survivor and his grief following tragic loss of his family. It’s a thought-provoking tale of the struggle to heal after trauma, and the ability to find a place in the world after leaving another one behind.The character of Edward is perfectly constructed. His silences, his confusion, his longing, and his reasoning – all of it is so brilliantly written. It’s both dismaying and stimulating. As a reader, you can’t help but attempt to fathom the recovery for such a harrowing experience. Not all of the characters are likeable, or relatable, but they all have a vulnerability that makes them authentic personalities. Their flaws and insecurities are even further heightened when it comes to the lives of their loved ones. The book seamlessly hops back and forth between two timelines. The lives of the passengers before the crash, and Edward’s life after it. It really adds to the weight of the book, as you learn about the hopes and dreams of people you already know won’t achieve them.Dear Edward is a book that pushes the reader to reflect. Edward survived the deadly plane crash, but now must learn how to survive all over again. Napolitano writes with honesty and realism, but still gives the reader (and Edward) hope. She has a straightforward, candid, and balanced tone that helps the book to flow easily. Grief and trauma can be written with an intensity that’s off-putting, but Napolitano’s simplistic style is one of my favourite aspects of the novel. If anything, it’s a comfort to read.The friendship between Edward and Shay is remarkably touching, and brings a warmth to the story that I didn’t see coming. Edward loses everything in the crash, but Shay’s friendship helps him to realise he can regain purpose. While it’s sad to think of this young boy growing up without his family, it’s inspiring to see him find strength in another person. This striking prospect really stirs the heart.Ann Napolitano has crafted a beautifully poignant coming-of-age tale. It pulls sympathy from the reader in the right places, with the perfect balance of heart-wrenching reservations and life-affirming revelations. Dear Edward is a captivating journey through an unimaginable scenario, and a read I’ll remember for a long time.Anika | chaptersofmay.com

I am definitely in the minority with my star rating on this books it obviously just wasnt for me.Edward 'Eddie' Adler is the lone survivor of a plane crash that takes the lives of 191 passengers, the book alternates chapters from Eddie's perspective and other passengers on the plane. Throughout the book we follow Edward on his journey of understanding and healing.When I initially read the blurb and reviews for this book I was super excited but I am sad to say on finishing the book that I was underwhelmed. I found Napolitanos writing cold and detached.I found it extremely difficult to connect with the characters and I struggled to finish the book. I found for me personally the story was very slow and somewhat repetitive.I want to love this book, feel emotions for Edward and the other 191 passengers who lost so much but it just wasn't there for me. It is a great premise for a book but I feel like it slightly missed the mark.