Alex+G+survival



// Just Listen // by Sarah Dessen is about Annabel Greene trying to survive her senior of high school without her friends and the silent tension within her home. Because of an incident at a party over the summer, Annabel lost all her friends and they literally make her make her life a living hell during the school day. Her home life isnt much easier. Out of the three sisters, Annabel is the only one still modeling to make her mother happy. One of her older sisters, Whitney, suffers from anorexia which has changed the dynamic of the family. As Annabel spends her days alone, she realizes that she isnt the only one. Tough guy, music lovin' Owen Armstrong scares Annabel's high school because of his height and strong build. He has anger problems, and he doesnt have many friends, but when he offers to take Annabel home one day, she hesistates, but then accepts. Although they dont have much in common, they learn a lot about each other and develop a close friendship. They also teach each other things about living and surviving. Owen pulled out the strong side of Annabel that was buried deep inside as a result of the terrible incident that happened to her.

"There comes a time in every life when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you'd better learn to know the sound of it. Otherwise you'll never understand what it's saying."

Throughout this book, with the expection of the end, Annabel carefully chooses her words. She is quiet and sort of stays out of people's way. When she meets Owen, he teaches her that living like that isn't surviving; its just barely getting by. He shows her that not caring what everyone thinks makes it easier to live--easier to survive! Even though what happened to her was something she can never forget, instead of letting it bother her and haunt her, she now has friends, like Owen, to help her take that situation and start to grow and move on from it. The quote above shows how Annabel finally finds her own voice again (and its one of my absolute favorites!), and the most important factor in surviving. Learning how to survive can come in many forms, and in// Just Listen // it took meeting someone new to help Annabel become herself again.

love the quote! reviewed 11/15 dlj 50 points

Rebecca's Comment: This book was phenomenal, I completely agree with your interpretation of the moral behind it. Getting by does not mean you are happy and Anabel learns this by the final pages of this novel. I thought this was one of Sarah Dessen's best pieces and is one of those books that everyone should read.