'I know better than anyone that you can't always draw a straight line from the who you once were to the who you are now.'
Rather unexpectedly, this novel stole my heart. I chose this for my book club's September selection, thinking the 9/11 aspect would make for some interesting discussions. Honestly, though, for the most part, I've surpassed the point in my life when YA novels really resonate, and didn't have high hopes. But then the sweet, fresh voices of Abbi and Noah made me smile and laugh...and I knew I'd chosen a winner. Hope and Other Punchlines, while at times, gut-wrenchingly emotional...is also funny and immensely hopeful. It's a quick, easy read told from the two protagonist's points of view. The chapters are short and direct, which I think works quite well in this format.
I see other reviewers talking about the lack of chemistry between Abbi and Noah, but for 16 year old children, I thought their chemistry was off the charts. At that age, chemistry is going to be quite different than it is for those of us in adult relationships. They were beautifully perfect. And Abbi's grandma? Loved every word she uttered. She's a gem.
At it's heart, this book is about so many pertinent topics--family, grief, friendship, guilt, loss....and yes, even hope. It's a joyful story I plan on sharing with my 14 year old daughter.
Before I wrap this review up, I have to comment on all the people stating jokes shouldn't be made about terrorist attacks. I kindly disagree. As cliché as it sounds, laughter truly is the best medicine. Humor heals our souls. And what could possibly be a bigger F.U. to the terrorists and their supporters than seeing us happy and laughing? Even Pete Davidson, an SNL cast member who lost his father on 9/11, found it in his heart to make a joke about this tragedy...and it was funny.
Anyway, I'm stepping off my soap box and recommending this book to each and every one of you.
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"...taken a tragedy and shown us the impact through new eyes."
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.Hope and Other Punch Lines provided me with a new perspective regarding the events that happened on 9/11. I know where I was when it happened, and I've always understood what it meant on a larger scale, but I have never made myself look closely at the details. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know there were jumpers, people that chose to leap to their deaths over the alternative, and it's made me reflect on my life as well as that horrible day.Julie Buxbaum has taken a tragedy and shown us the impact through new eyes. Abbi and Noah both survived something that day, even though their experiences were drastically different. Abbi became a symbol, a tangible hope that people could cling to, and Noah lost his father. Honestly, I didn't like Noah at first. I hated what he essentially forced Abbi to do. I understood his reasons, but they didn't justify his actions. I wish his choices had been addressed with more depth and sincerity, but Noah used humor as a coping mechanism.Abbi was a kind and selfless character, and she allowed people to share their grief with her, even though it made her uncomfortable. Her life wasn't her own, since people associated her with the Baby Hope photo. Even though she was a baby at the time, people felt compelled to share their personal stories and tragedies with her, regardless of where they were (supermarket, sidewalk, etc.). She even went along with Noah's plan, disregarding her personal feelings, and was nice to him despite how he handled the entire situation. Her desire to avoid conflict and negativity is what caused her to keep a big secret from her family, which I wish had resulted in more than a slap on the wrist.If you ignore how their relationship started, Abbi and Noah had an adorkable romance. I really loved their conversations in the car, and even the subtle foot taps they shared. I enjoyed Noah's friendship with Jack as well, and how easily the two boys accepted Abbi as one of their own. All of the relationships in this book (good and bad) were authentic and completely relatable.The parents and families were fantastic and flawed. Abbi's parents were divorced, but the two remained close friends and lived on the same street. They were both involved in their daughter's life, and they talked to her like she was an adult and her opinion mattered. Also, I loved Abbi's no-nonsense grandmother! Noah's mom remarried after a decade or so, and Noah's stepfather is present, even if he's not actively involved in his stepson's life. They were just different people, neither of them bad, but they'd never tried to see past their differences before. I enjoyed seeing how their relationship progressed, and was happy to see they there were both willing to try.Buxbaum didn't shy away from the hard topics and conversations, and it was a really eye-opening experience for me. I feel like I have a new understanding, a more educated perspective, and also a greater appreciation for the people who were present during the attacks. A lot of people have medical issues that are directly related to chemicals they were exposed to on 9/11, and there's still a lot we don't know. I think the author has created something that will encourage people to remember, and she does it in a way that's both hopeful and honest.This review was originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on May 28, 2019.
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019
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Top reviews from other countries
Keira88
Lovely story, easy read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2020Verified Purchase
Catherine McKenzie
Fantastic and life-affirming
Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2019Verified Purchase
Caro
Fun and fluff
Reviewed in Canada on May 12, 2019Verified Purchase
