The Opposite of Hallelujah [Hardcover]

Anna Jarzab (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 9, 2012

A riveting depiction of sisterhood, as one sibling's return home unleashes lies, a secret long buried, and emotional upheaval.

Caro Mitchell considers herself an only child--and she likes it that way. After all, her much older sister, Hannah, left home eight years ago, and Caro barely remembers her. So when Caro's parents drop the bombshell news that Hannah is returning to live with them, Caro feels as if an interloper is crashing her family. To her, Hannah's a total stranger, someone who haunts their home with her meek and withdrawn presence, and who refuses to talk about her life and why she went away. Caro can't understand why her parents cut Hannah so much slack, and why they're not pushing for answers.

Unable to understand Hannah, Caro resorts to telling lies about her mysterious reappearance. But when those lies alienate her new boyfriend, friends, and put her on the outs with her parents, Caro seeks solace from an unexpected source. And as she unearths a clue from Hannah's past--one that could save Hannah from the dark secret that possesses her--Caro begins to see her sister in a whole new light.

"Jarzab packs a lot into this story, questions of faith and forgiveness, science and religion, mental illness, guilt and possible redemption, as well as simple high school drama. But at its heart, this is a story about sisters."--Booklist, starred

"A layered meditation on family and belief that will ring true for faith-questing teens."--Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Big sister Hannah joined the Sisters of Grace convent when Caro was eight, so it seemed simpler to tell everyone at school that her sister was dead. That was “Caroliar’s” first lie. Eight years later, Hannah is home, depressed, and anorexic, having left the convent in self-imposed disgrace. This time it is easier for Caro to announce Hannah’s return from the Peace Corps, but as the lies pile up, so does Caro’s own confusion and disgrace. Jarzab packs a lot into this story—questions of faith and forgiveness, science and religion, mental illness, guilt, and possible redemption, as well as simple high-school drama. But at its heart, this is a story about sisters, and it’s as complex and convoluted as the relationship itself. Caro must reinvent her only-child status, learning to accept her parents’ worried focus on an older sister who was for years essentially nonexistent. Hannah, on the other hand, is overwhelmed with guilt over a friend’s death and is resentful and envious of Caro’s normal teenage angst. Couched among the issues are truly likable people: intelligent teenagers supporting each other through good times and bad; loving, very human parents struggling with how to intervene in the life of a seriously ill adult child while nurturing their teenage daughter; and a science-nerd priest who is honest enough to admit that he doesn’t have all the answers. Grades 8-12. --Frances Bradburn

Review

"Jarzab packs a lot into this story, questions of faith and forgiveness, science and religion, mental illness, guilt and possible redemption, as well as simple high school drama. But at its heart, this is a story about sisters."--Booklist, starred

"A layered meditation on family and belief that will ring true for faith-questing teens."--Kirkus Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press; First Edition edition (October 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385738366
• ISBN-13: 978-0385738361
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anna Jarzab is the author of All Unquiet Things, The Opposite of Hallelujah, and Tandem, book 1 in the new Many-Worlds Trilogy. She lives in New York City and works in children's book publishing. Visit her online at annajarzab.com, follow her on Twitter @ajarzab, and follow her on Tumblr at annajarzab.tumblr.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars touching story filled to the brim with emotions with a sweet yet rocky at times relationship and a strong narrator that I connec October 12, 2012

By brandileigh2003

Format:Hardcover

At the heart of The Opposite of Hallelujah, I think the message is that your actions don't just effect yourself. A lie, a decision to leave, hiding from your problems, and pain can't be isolated to just you, it creates a wave to the people you love and that love you.
Caro is a very relatable narrator. I could relate with her anger, pain and doubt about what was going on in the world around her as well as her curiosity whether related to learning or uncovering the past of her prodigal sister. She is a bit spoiled at times, but aren't we all. Thinking of ourselves is our natural state, but I love how she feels regret when she treats others badly, and at the end of the day I think that she strives to put others before herself.
Pawel, Caro's friend and love interest is great as well. I loved his sense of humor, his sensitivity and the closeness that was featured in his family as well.
The Opposite of Hallelujah definitily has something that is missing from a lot of teen novels, involved parents. It doesn't mean that they are perfect, but I love the relationship and the conversations that are in this book. I like that they are involved in school work, try to enforce a family dinner, and how they try to cultivate a relationship between Caro and Hannah.
Anna Jarzab did a wonderful job writing the emotions of the characters. It got me to feel something for them, especially with Hannah. Even when I did not know what was the root of her pain and confusion, I still felt for her. I could see that she was trying to hard to reform a relationship with Caro as she sorted through her feelings.
I guess one thing that should be mentioned in case you can't tell from the description, there is a lot of religious discussion in this novel, but I think that it all felt authentic.... Caro was questioning what she really believed, if there was a God, her anger with him, and confusion at what made her sister join the convent and ultimately what led her to leave. Father Bob is a great presence in this novel too. I don't think that he ever tried to force his beliefs on anyone, but rather he was a listening ear to Caro, and tried to lead her on the path to discovering herself, and what she can do for her sister.
Bottom line: The Opposite of Hallelujah is a touching story filled to the brim with emotions with a sweet yet rocky at times relationship and a strong narrator that I connected with. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Honest and heartfelt. February 4, 2013

By Uniquely Moi Books

Format:Hardcover

In The Opposite of Hallelujah, we meet the main character who goes by the name of Caro. I definitely felt as if I could bond with her right away for reasons that many others may not understand and for the exact same reasons as she clearly explains and tries to justify in the book. She is not an only child, but was raised as one. Having an older sibling who has never been around, Caro feels as if it's just her and her parents. I myself felt this same way but I have an older sibling that never seemed to take part in our lives because he simply chose not to. This is the exact reason for Caro's older sister so I can totally get her point as to why, when Hannah decided that she wants to come back into the picture like everything is perfect, Caro refuses to make nice. In all honesty, I feel like many would probably hold a grudge against Caro for this and I am not one. I felt her hard heart. I would've done the exact same thing in her shoes.
Hannah now wants to make nice. But from where she came from? Being a nun and going back to a normal life? That can't be easy either. There are some serious underlying issues that need brought to the surface. As Caro struggles with accepting her sister, Hannah struggles with her own inner battles.
I did hope for a bit more of a jazzed up ending and not a picture perfect one, but all in all, this was a really good read and I do recommend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening book about family and sisterhood December 17, 2012

By xjessirae

Format:Hardcover

The Opposite of Hallelujah begins with a teenage girl, who was basically raised as an only child, dreading the return of her estranged sister. This is just the first layer of the story. In this book, we are taken along a journey of self-discovery through the eyes of Caro Mitchell. Anna Jarzab created a novel that shows the true strength and bond of a family and the meaning of love between sisters even through all the dark secrets and mistakes.

Caro was a tremendous surprise in the book. On the surface, she was stubborn, tempered, blunt and albeit, extremely selfish girl. Even with her bad attitude towards her sister and her parents, I found Caro to be extremely real and likable. I understood her actions and feelings of resent and unworthiness when Hannah comes back into her life. Change is not easy and the adjustment of sharing her parent's affection and attention was hard on Caro. Added to that is the unknown true reasoning of Hannah's departure eight years ago, her unexpected return, and all the lies and secrets her parents have been keeping about what happened to Hannah when Caro was very little. Caro tries to find herself throughout the book, questioning why she does things, learning from her mistakes, and embracing her sister's presence. Caro really changes herself, opens her eyes, mind and heart, and grows up immensely.

The romance between Caro and Pawel is not prominent in the book, but a very wonderful addition to Caro's overall growth. Along with her talks with Father Bob, I think Pawel really helps Caro. He was supportive and understanding. He was an adorable, cute guy that cared so much about Caro. He was there when she needed him and his absence made her realize her dire mistakes.... What I loved most about Pawel was the funny, laid back side of him who was just fun to be around and one of the few people that saw the good in Caro's heart. I have no doubt why these two fall for each other.

While this book mentions some aspects of religious beliefs and philosophies, its' prominence does not take away the overall enjoyment. In fact, it enhances the storyline and gives more depth and shape to Caro and her sister's characterization. It helps the pacing go smoothly and it gives the reader a whole new perspective.

Jarzab has an amazing writing style that gives her character life and meaning. Her writing kept me riveted and brought out genuine emotions. She made Caro's life interestingly flawed and she portrayed real family struggles. Jarzab didn't just center the plot around Caro, but she brang forth the parts of her parents and Hannah with all the misunderstanding and miscommunication. She really showed the imperfectness of a family, but she also showed the unconditional love as well. The truth about Hannah's past, while not quite surprising, did not take away from the inspirational feel of the book and all the hope it brought.

Overall, The Opposite of Hallelujah was an enlightening novel about forgiveness, faith and the growing relationship between two sisters and a family. It's a thoroughly delightful read. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars really likeable "voice" -- good real life story! February 11, 2013

By Michael

Format:Hardcover

The "voice" of Caro was beautifully done! The author had an amazing ability to use Caro's POV to:
1. express what she is really feeling
2. give huge insights into many family dynamics
3. give huge insights into many school and relationship dynamics.

Bravo!

This book shows a way out for families who are struggling through something dark (in this case really dark) in the past. It was beautiful in that Caro needed all the support of her family, friends, teachers and (which was very nice for me to see) a minister.
This will be a great read for my older teenage daughter. The worldview choices in the book are certainly not mine in every case, but the author navigated quite well through religious and highschool waters.
Some things that happen to us in life are so dark and difficult-- but a father and mother who really TRY to understand, combined with some friends and church people can help to unravel a world of hurt.

Thanks Anna for giving me insight to TRY to understand my young ladies!