A Blue So Dark [Paperback]

Holly Schindler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2010

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that "creative" equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked—and together may offer an escape from her fears.

Praise for A Blue So Dark:

"A truly real, emotional, and honest read."—Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay it Forward

"A Blue So Dark is a raw, compelling and eloquent portrayal of art and madness, and the freeing, healing gift of creativity. Schindler's voice is brilliant and true."—Carrie Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Need and Captivate

"Schindler's lyrical debut explores the nightmare of mental illness in a voice that is sharp and funny and all her own. This is as real as teen fiction gets. A must-read."—Crissa-Jean Chappell, author of Total Constant Order

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: IPPY Awards 2010 (Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction)

SILVER MEDAL WINNER: ForeWord Book of the Year Awards 2010 (Young Adult Fiction)

 

 

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose faces numerous problems that run the gamut from divorced parents and friendships gone sour to relationship angst and acne, but her biggest concern is her mother's battle with schizophrenia. Throughout November and December, Aura tries to keep her life on track, holding secret the dark tunnel she has fallen into as she follows her mother from one psychotic episode to another. Finally, unable to face her difficulties alone, Aura asks for help from her estranged grandmother. Schindler paints a realistic picture of living with a schizophrenic, describing the details from Aura's point of view. She also explores the teen's fear that one day she will succumb to the disease herself. At various times, Aura describes the way her stomach "fists" when the tension overwhelms her. This tension is transferred to readers, so powerful is the empathy the author has built for her main character. Teens will find themselves slowly breathing a sigh of relief as Aura's life returns to a semblance of normalcy, once her mother gets the help she needs. Any story about mental illness will not be an easy read, but a very good one will reward those who stick with it. A Blue So Dark definitely falls in that category.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* As her beautiful mother, Grace, an artist, sinks into schizophrenia and refuses medication, 15-year-old Aura feels terrified and isolated. Aura also worries that she may have inherited her mother’s genetic disposition for the disease, and because she associates it with creativity, she stops exploring her own painting and writing. Soon, both the caretaking and the secrecy her mother’s illness engenders become impossible for Aura to sustain, and as she increasingly misses days of school, her mother’s erratic behavior spills over into public scenes. Debut novelist Schindler paints a graphic picture of mental illness and the toll it takes on its victims and their families. Schindler’s astute, powerful descriptions of the creative process and its ability to mirror the anguish and terror of schizophrenia, as well as its potential to alleviate pain and suffering, elevate this story beyond problem-novel stereotypes or a clinical recounting of symptoms. Grace’s relentless descent into madness is breathtakingly, gut-wrenchingly authentic, and while Schindler does not sugarcoat the grim possibilities for either Aura or her mother, she leaves readers with some hope for the characters’ futures. A haunting, realistic view of the melding of art, creativity, and mental illness and their collective impact on a young person’s life. Grades 8-11. --Frances Bradburn

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Flux; 1 edition (May 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738719269
• ISBN-13: 978-0738719269
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Holly Schindler dove headfirst into her writing pursuits after obtaining her MA from Missouri ("Ma-zur-AH") State University in 2001. Having penned a pile of drafts that literally stretched to the ceiling of her office, she was thrilled to release her debut novel, A Blue So Dark, with Flux in 2010. A Blue So Dark received a starred review in Booklist, was named one of Booklist's Top 10 First Novels for Youth, and won both a silver medal from ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year and a gold medal in the IPPY Awards. Her second novel, Playing Hurt, released March 8, 2011. Visit her online at hollyschindler.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous novel! May 14, 2010

By Sara VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I was first drawn to a A BLUE SO DARK by the amazing cover art; the color of the water and the positioning and detail of the title are perfect. I never could've imagined just how much I'd enjoy Holly Schindler's YA debut!

I've always had a preoccupation with abnormal psychology and two people I am very close to are artists, so I found the connection between schizophrenia and artistic temperments interesting. Though there are exceptions, I find that many artists honestly can be described as having an "artist's temperment;" I feel like those who are truly creative must share some common personality traits. Because of this, I could draw similarities between artists I know and Aura and her mother, allowing me to feel that much closer to the characters. The schizophrenia was an interesting element. Aura's fear that her creativity would overtake her and somehow cause her to become sick like her mother was almost tangible. On the outside looking in, it might be hard to understand Aura's logic and actions, but I felt like Schindler's writing enables the reader to transport themselves into Aura's world, into Aura herself, to truly understand her anxiety.

Aura's parents are divorced; her father is remarried to a much younger, must more "normal" woman and he is in the process of starting a new, shiny family. Even now, having finished the novel, I still feel angry when I think about Aura's father. I can understand and justify his leaving Aura's mother if he no longer loves her or can find happiness with her, but he has no right to leave Aura. You do not get to divorce your children. Ever. Most of the time, in YA literature, the child and parent work through their issues by the end of the novel, but this isn't the case with A BLUE SO DARK, and I can honestly say that I'm happy about that.... I didn't feel like Aura's father deserved forgiveness.

Though there are many heavy aspects of this novel, there were lighter, brighter parts as well, like Aura's crush on a cute skater boy. This was a huge part of the novel, as expected, her mother's illness occupied much of Aura's time and energy, but I was greatful for the romantic reprieves.

Grade: A+ Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Pure Imagination Reviews May 18, 2010

By Lori Lawson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I didn't really know what to expect when I opened this book. What I got was a incredibly engaging story about mental illness. No one wants to talk about these things. Not really. Most of us avoid mental illness like it's the plague. But what if you were like Aura? What if your own mother were the definition of mental illness? There's no avoiding that.

This story was terrifying! I felt all the emotions of the book right along side Aura. It was like a train wreck that you knew was going to happen. I knew throughout the book that things were only going to get worse for Aura and her mother. I wanted to yell "Do something!!" at Aura! I LOVE when books make me feel that strongly. This one most definitely did!

Holly Schindler's writing is beautiful. It really came to life for me. Something else I really loved about the book, in the end not everything was picture perfect happy. There was some loose ends that were never tied. I really liked that. It was much more realistic that way.

This is a book you need to read for yourself. It's about a tough topic and the characters are nitty gritty but I really loved it. This one will make you think!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Debut! May 13, 2010

By Adriana

Format:Paperback

A Blue So Dark is a book that will take you on an emotional roller coaster, alongside 15 year old Aura Ambrose and her schizophrenic mother.

This book didn't have any mythical creatures like vampires or fallen angels and very little to almost non-existent romance. It was about a daughter and her relationship with her mother suffering with a mental illness. While it's a subject I don't normally read, I was hooked with the story and the author's amazing way of describing things. By comparing, school to what it would be like if it was a John Hughes movie and there's also a scene compared to a devastating moment in Pet Cemetery which was pretty intense, it really puts a clear image in your head as to what is happening and how devastated Aura must be feeling. There were so many wonderful quotes, I actually ended up writing down a few of them because I loved them so much. My favorite quote is posted at the bottom.

The characters were all so different and they each had their own little flaws and struggles. After her dad leaves, Aura becomes the one responsible for her mother. My heart just went out to her, although I did find some of her actions selfish, but she was just a young girl who was scared of loosing her mother. Her best friend Janny is a teen mom who knows about Aura's mother, but she also has problems of her own having to take care of her son who is sick and problems at home with her parents. Aura's mom, Grace, is struggling with schizophrenia. It was something really terrifying to read about because it's an illness people have, and Aura was afraid of ending up like her artistic mother so she hides her own creative abilities to not end up like her mom....

A Blue So Dark ended on an open note, even though I don't normally like books that don't have a closure, I was satisfied with how it ended. A Blue So Dark is an emotional and amazing debut. I can't wait to read more by Holly Schindler. Read more ›

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, terrible writing. May 4, 2011

By Court

Format:Paperback

The idea for this book is great. Unfortunately, the writing is terrible.
I'm actually shocked to see all the good reviews.

Like everyone else, I loved the cover art, and being an artist myself AND having a schizophrenic family member, I was immediately drawn to the story line. Although there were a select few decent parts when it came to writing, the majority was awful and I actually had to cringe a few times reading it. For one thing, if you're going to curse through half the book anyway, don't say things like "Mom's going nutso again. This freaking stinks!" (with an emphasis on the "freaking" part, because she uses that over and over and over) And I swear to God, if you pick up this book, you will find it's stuffed full of sentences like those. It vastly takes away from the plot.

I also got the feeling as I was reading that the author had no real concept of the disease. I hate to sound like one of those "I know this from personal experience and this is totally wrong!" reviewers, but honestly the way she describes Grace's condition sounds trite and cliche. As if all the author knew about the disease is that "schizos" (as she so eloquently refers to them as) think that things in their houses are out to get them because "the voices" told them so. And as it turns out I was right, because the back of the book features an interview with the author where she admits that she has no first hand experience with schizophrenia, did "a little research", and just wanted to write a book about the correlation with creativity and mental illness.

So overall, if you can stand terrible writing without rolling your eyes every three minutes and know little to nothing about schizophrenia, I'm sure you'll like it.