Review: Stay by Deb Caletti
Stay
Deb Caletti
Hardcover, 352 pages
Simon Pulse
April 5, 2011
Amazon
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….
Not really a review but a ramble Review:
After reading powerful reviews of Stay
I have to mention a few things before I move on to the review though. Sorry.
For a long time I held on to this misconception that contemporary fiction was too serious to be any fun to read. I craved escape into fantasy worlds that didn’t exist, couldn’t exist, unless you were viewing them in your mind. Vampires, yeah, they were (maybe still are?) my preferred poison for escape. Eternal beauty has its draw.
But so do odd things like eternal grief, sorrow, longing… even envy. It’s all part of this pretty hate machine that is our world, something I recently reflected on after reading Linds’ post on Kafka, Fairy Tales and Writing about Loss.
Don’t know what the hell I’m talking about? Well, think about it. If your honest with yourself, you can point out a time or two in your life when you were truly happy for a friend or family member who found something or someone new to love, but you also felt a little jealous, or when they got a promotion at work and all at once you didn’t know whether to congratulate them or mope about the unfairness of it because hey, you work just as hard if not harder and are more deserving. And, as Linds mentioned, the same can be said about something as heartbreaking as loss; you can grieve with someone for their loss, but at the same time, you can feel that your loss is greater.
Even if these thoughts are an innate part of us, an indication at we are naturally inclined towards our own survival over others or whatever, they are still the thoughts that lurk in the back of our minds, not meant to be exposed, not even meant to be common knowledge. Until it is, and then all hell breaks loose.
Stay
Disturbing right?
To defuse the situation, I’ll refer to Shrek’s onion metaphor. Stay
And that is how Stay
For Clara, the falling in love part was perfect, as it often is when you fall in love for the first time. Christian, physically beautiful and nice, swooned her off her feet quickly. And even with the ominous vibe around him, even with the fact that I knew what was coming, I swooned a bit with her.
But, as her dad warned, nice isn’t the same as good. And all too soon, Clara realizes that she can’t keep up with the lies she tells herself or the lies she tells Christian to keep from hurting his feelings. As Clara beings to realize that she is falling out of love with him, Christian becomes more obsessed with keeping her. So, when she finally decides to end things, it is not without consequence.
As gripping as it was, there still were some parts of the story that really disappointed me. Clara was really working for me as a character. She was so brave, so strong. Then she spoiled it by having a TSTL moment (actually she had about three). You know, those moments that make you think of scary movies where you scream at the screen, Don’t go out there! Psycho with a knife is out there and you’re gonna die! I know that fear can seize you so completely that it erases rational thought, but I didn’t like seeing it happen to Clara. I also know that life doesn’t stop to give you breaks even if you already have enough to deal with on you plate, but again, when it happened to Clara, I thought it was so unfair and unnecessary.
Still, small gripes aside, Stay
Challenge(s): 111 in ‘11 Challenge
Posted at 4:17 pm • Labels: 2011, 4 stars, Book Review, contemporary fiction, Galley Grab, review copy, YA
Fantastic review, Missie! You really got me thinking!
Honestly,there were few times when I really pitied Christian and could almost forgive him for all the shitty things he did. Deb Caletti has created such complex characters.
And, thanks for the mention!
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Wow. . . just wow, Missie. This is a beautiful post, and I didn't mind your beginning at all – I think it's wonderful that you shared some things you've been thinking about (and I am glad that my post helped out with that – thanks for the mention). I love when bloggers get a little personal.
I think it's important that we read about things that might disturb us and provoke reactions that might seem a little off. . . one of my favorite teachers always said that you don't know what you're made of until you put yourself out of your comfort zone. It sounds like this book did that a little for you, and I applaud you for sharing your honest reaction with us. And I am putting this one on my TBR list.
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OMG, got to read this book. I never read anything by this author, but you just made me wanting to run to the bookstore and buy all of her books. Too bad that the stores are close now and it's late.
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Stay sounds like a striking book that will bring out some strong emotions. I am glad you prefaced your reviews with some of your own thoughts! I have to admit I shy away from some General Fiction and Contemporary Fiction because the subject matter can be crushing (emotionally). I can really only read about 2 to 3 of these a year (aka The Room will tie me over till this summer)! Fantastic Review!
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Wow, what an amazing, insightful, honest post. I love what you said that things like grief, sorrow, longing and envy have it's draw. Beautiful. And yes, I can be a pretty jealous person! I admit it.
I would print this post out and frame it. Beautiful job.
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What a great review. You poured your heart out
Thank you!
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This one is definitely going on my TBR pile.
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So, it stinks and make you cry? Gets brown and starts to grow little hairs? Sorry, I don't like onions.. but parfaits! Yea! Cake! Everyone likes cake! YOU brought up Shrek and I. Couldn't. Resist.
Seriously tho… I really love stories like this. Make you think and reveal truths without regard to softening for us tender readers. Oh yes… this review is brilliant. I need to read this book now.
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@Misha, Glad I wasn't the only one. I felt bad for feeling bad. LOL
@Linds, oh yeah, Stay will definitely take you out of your comfort zone.
@Nina, The book doesn't release in the U.S. until April, but you will have to let me know if there is a different version of the cover.
@Felicia, Yeah, I often feel the same. It can be rather draining. 2 or 3 a year is probably what I should be doing. LOL
@Pam, Thank you. And I'm openly jelly too.
@juju, Thanks hun.
@justpeachy, Yay!
@Melissa, Glad you couldn't resist. I prefer cake!
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Wow, missie, this is a really intense review. I appreciate what it must have took to write it. I really do want to read this one, but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough. We'll have to see. Thanks so much for the great review, I'm definitely keeping my eye out for it.
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Great review! I've heard a lot of good things about this one. I don't read a lot of contemp YA, but I want to start reading more. This seems like a good place to start!
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I love contemp fiction for how real it is (that sounds stupid but it's the best way I can say it). I can see myself falling for a guy like Christian at Clara's age. I think most girls can.
BTW…what does TSTL mean?
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Wow, Missie I adore this review. So well said and agree with it completely even though I did rate it a little higher.
I swooned a little for Christian at the beginning too. I thought Caletti did such an honest take on abusive relationships. That sometimes there is good in there and not every moment is bad.
Again, just such a beautiful review
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I too thought contemporary stories were too intense to read. So I've stuck with a fantasy world of vampires, werewolves, ghosts and most recently faeries. It's sometimes easier to escape into a world of unreality instead of reality.
I like your Shrek metaphor! And I never like TSTL moments in books or movies. This sounds intense and emotional. I'm trying to read more contemporary books. I think I'll give this one a shot! Fab review
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Great review! I just discovered Ms. Caletti and so I have been devouring her books. I look forwarded to reading this one.
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I hear wonderful things about this author!! I cant wait to read Stay and how awesome you jumped on the contempo train…:D
Lovely review…have you read any of Dessons or Andersons books yet, those are great as well.
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Oh, I just love books that get under your skin like that, especially when they explore darker issues. Missie, you put this one on my radar for sure!
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haha, I love ramble reviews
I swear I had a mini epiphany while reading this, when you talk about how there's a tendency of thinking contemporary fiction is not fun to read like paranormal because it doesn't provide the same escape. I definitely have that misconception as well. I've been trying to get over it but it's been difficult, I have to say, to read outside my comfort zone. This book sounds like it would be a good contemp to try. I can definitely see myself loving it. Thanks for the fantastic review!
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I do like contemporary fiction, even if I try to stay away from the truly heartbreaking ones. But yes sometimes I need reality, and those feelings everyone has.
great review
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Phenomenal review! I'm very anxious to read this now after reading your thoughts – very thought-provoking and deeper than what I expected the book to be.
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Missie what a fantastic review. I really enjoyed your insight. I just finished up this book on Monday. I always know I've found a great book when I have a lot quotes I really enjoy from the book. You know the kind which really get the gears turning.
An example: “We're as good at talking ourselves out of fear as into it, aren't we? Maybe better?”
Another one: ” ….Will and obsession – they sit right next to each other. They pretend to be strangers and all the while meet secretly at midnight “
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