Review: A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Jan 31, 2011 by shanyn

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Title: A Blue So Dark
Paperback, 288 pages
Author: Holly Schindler
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: May 1, 2010
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon

Book Summary:
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.

Review:
I skimmed a few reviews of this book before I read it, and had some bloggers who gave it very high scores – which is dangerous for a book I haven’t read, because it tends to set the bar too high.

I really enjoyed the writing style of Holly Schindler. Reading A Blue So Dark put me in a weird mood, because she was able to bring me in to the dark world of schizophrenia. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the book as a whole as much as I thought I would – which is okay, because I still think it is a good read… it’s just not going to make it in my top ten list.

I didn’t totally connect with Aura and her state of mind – not as much as I did with CJ Omololu’s Dirty Little Secrets, for instance. I think both of these main characters were in similar emotional situations, but I definitely felt more for Omololu’s character. So while I was reading Aura’s story, I didn’t care as much for her as I needed to.

Schizophrenia is a topic not often covered in YA books (I think perhaps I’ve read two others on this topic), and Holly Schindler does a beautiful job of displaying the effects it can have on a family situation. Her writing is very superb.

A Blue So Dark, while not one of my favorites, was written very well and could be a great match for another reader if the topic is intriguing to them.

Buy: Amazon

2 Comments

Amanda

February 1, 2011

I’ve seen this book around a bit, but have yet to read it. I’m glad you liked it and I think I’ll move it up on my to-read list. Great review!

- shanyn
  
  February 2, 2011
  
  Holly Schindler has another book coming out soon and I am very interested in reading it – her writing is great.