by TPS reader suarezs22
Love after a loss can seem impossible. To lose someone that you love tears out a piece of your heart, but after it all, there is still the person still standing there, changed forever. The Beauty that Remains, by Ashley Woodfolk, explores this theme beautifully and shows that we are all different, but our experiences unite us as one. The story is told by different, diverse people telling their stories about the people they have lost and how they hope to rise above, or at least, move on.
Shay is an African American girl who has lost her twin, Sasha, who died of leukemia. She is struggling with panic attacks and connecting with her mother. Logan is a white gay boy who has lost his ex-boyfriend Bram, (who committed suicide) and has now spun out of control, drinking and doing drugs and has not been able to do the things he loves most of all, singing and songwriting. Autumn is an Asian girl who has lost her best friend, Octavia, in a car crash. She is struggling with guilt over her friend’s death and her feelings about Octavia’s brother Dante. They are all from very different backgrounds but are connected through their grief and also through their love for a local indie band, Unraveling Lovely.
Woodfolk eloquently works through the 5 stages of grief through the lens of teenagers. It shows situations they may be in and how their feelings affect their relationships, family life, and conflicts with friends. It sheds light on teens’ mental health. It also has an underlying theme of music, which Woodfolk has expressed is a big part of her life and is a theme of most of her writing. It ties the stories together and shows how they interconnect, even if the characters don’t always realize it. Its characters are so easy to connect with and relate to as a teenager. The characters are stuck in grief for the entirety of the novel, but as it comes to a close, they all realize it will be okay, and that life goes on if they let it. The book was simply amazing, and I can’t wait to read Woodfolk’s next work.
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