Review: Stay by Deb Caletti
Title: Stay
Hardcover, 352 pages
Author: Deb Caletti
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: April 5, 2011
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon
Book Summary:
Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.
Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough….
Review:
I really love the crisp, clear voice of Deb Caletti.
If you’ve taken a moment to read the book summary of Stay, you may be guessing that this book is intense – and it definitely, definitely is. It is not a fluffy contemporary novel that kind of deals with an obsessive boyfriend – it hits it head on.
In the beginning, the chapters alternate back and forth – Clara now, and Clara when she was starting her relationship with Christian. This gives us critical insight to Clara’s thought process as she is dating Christian – it would be easy to say ‘If he is obsessive/jealous/controlling, why does she stay with him?’ but these flashback chapters describe exactly what she was feeling and thinking at that time, and it all makes sense, even if it’s scary to think someone could be feeling that way.
The thing that I most loved about Stay is that Deb Caletti writes in a way that is not ignorant. Once you’ve read a lot of books, it gets to the point where you find plot devices and dialogues and gimmicks used over and over again – but Caletti flat out acknowledges these gimmicks, thus no longer making them a gimmick but rather a critical part of the story (if that makes sense). The footnotes cleverly placed throughout do the best job of handling what I’m talking about – and the footnotes are in Clara’s voice, so they flow with the story very well.
My heart was pounding through several chapters as I wondered what Christian would do, as he was clearly a little off his rocker. On the other side I was reading quickly with hope and anticipation that Clara’s summer and her new relationships would work. You can’t figure out exactly which way Caletti is going to go with the story until you are actually reading it, so there is continually that anticipation and worry that everything may end up badly for Clara and her dad.
Stay by Deb Caletti is an emotional masterpiece. I was expecting a solid read, but it ended up being even better than expected, and is a must read for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction.
Book Cover: 5/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall: 50/50
Buy: Amazon
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I’ve been wanting to read this one for awhile ago, so I’m glad to hear it was good! I really enjoy those emotional intense reads. ♥
Oh and really amazing review, it was flawless.
Thanks so much Sara – this is a book you’re really going to love if you’re into emotional intense for sure!
Twitter: The_BookishType
Wow. I wasn’t sure if I was going to read this one, but after reading this incredible review I am DEFINITELY going to have to check this one out! Thanks so much for sharing your insights!
So glad you are going to consider picking this one up! It’s definitely more than the cover makes it seem!
Great review! I have this on my to-read list and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy to read. It sounds really good. I’m really glad you enjoyed it. I’ve heard great things about it.
So glad you already had it on your to-read list! It comes out soon, so you’ll have to let me know how you liked it after you read it!
Twitter: amillssews
Great review. Very insightful. I can’t wait to read this book.
Thanks Annette! You must let me know what you think when you’re done!
Twitter: bookworm1858
Great review! I read this recently and was totally enraptured by Caletti’s writing and the intense story. Christian was so unpredictable in the later chapters and I was so anxious about what he might do to Clara and her dad.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment on how you felt while reading! Now others can see that it definitely hits you in that emotional way (and that it wasn’t just me being sensitive)
Twitter: BasicallyBooks
This is exactly the kind of book that I’m looking for right now. It sounds amazing! Stunning review.
Twitter: bbrittanyyxoxo
I actually just finished reading Bitter End by Jennifer Brown. After that book, I now know I crave for intense novels. I never thought I’d be able to find another book along that line, but thanks to your review I’m determined to give this book a try.
Wow. 50/50! That’s must be great! Great review. I long to read this. I guess this would be a good choice for summer read.
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Wow. 50/50! That must be great! Great review. I long to read this. I guess this would be a good choice for summer read.
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