Before I Die (David Fickling Books) [Library Binding]

It is the most amazing book I have read for a very long time. Even editors can be moved - and BEFORE I DIE surely did it to me. The voice of this girl is brilliant, the story so well written, I could not stop reading - knowing that there is no happy ending, knowing that only a slow read will give Tessa more time to live...A perfect book about the meaning of life Christian Rohr, Bertelsmann I just want to express my thoughts on this book. You told me yesterday that I needed tissues and you were right. In general I do not weep while reading books ... Young adolescents might recognize Tess's last wishes, sex, love, drugs etc., but older readers will be blown away by the story, by her father, her courage etc. ...the first-person narrative is brilliant and proves for me she is a literary writer with a longer career than this novel Martijn David, Mouria, Netherlands I want to tell you again how happy and proud I am to publish this very original, and well crafted novel, the first work by a talented writer bound to join the literary circle of the greatest Sylvie Audoly, Plon, France Dealing frankly with teenage life, Before I Die will be the year's most talked-about novel ... Novels for young teenagers do not usually feature drugs and casual sex within the first 20-odd pages. But most books for teenagers will not leave an adult reader's eyes so blurry with tears that it's hard to see the final chapters. Jenny Downham's extraordinary first novel does both. The Sunday Times 20070610 Beautifully written tale The Bookseller 20070720 Before I Die is so real, so sad, so true - and I so wish I'd written it myself. Jacqueline Wilson 20070815 Writing about dying children can sometimes seem too easy a target for instant emotion but she always does much better than that. The Independent 20070720 Destined to drive hundreds of thousands of readers to tears and to swift injunctions to all their friends to read it... Yet the intolerability of what's to come spotlights a subtle truth, which Downham has captured well. That in life, despite all the warnings, no one ever quite believes the ending. The Observer 20070715 Tough but tender, angry rather than resigned, Tessa is an appealing heroine whose company is never less than bracing. The Independent 20070720 Linguistic quirks and references to popular culture place this book at the heart of the world currently inhabited by teenagers and its frank, and at times almost nonchalant, discussion of crime, sex and death assures that it does not preach or patronise. This truly is an extraordinary debut novel. Writeaway.org Incredibly life-affirming lovereading4kids.co.uk It's a beautifully written tale of teenage life... showing that, without love, life is not worth living. The Bookseller (Christmas Previews) Moving and extremely affecting...Whilst the story of a young girl with terminal leukaemia may not be the easiest of subject matters, the uplifting and perceptive way in which it is written made this a joy to read Publishing News It's beautifully, lyrically written with a penetrating awareness that flows from the book right into the reader. Downham doesn't shy away from a single taboo... Jenny Downham has written about a life that burned brightly and in doing so, given us the life-affirming impulse to make ours burn brightly too. thebookbag.co.uk The novel is a revelation... infused with a biting, refreshing irreverence... It's profound and stirring, it's well crafted, you won't be able to get it out of your head for weeks... an unforgettable novel. Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast (blog) A hugely life affirming story. It tells of the simple, everyday things that can bring such joy, pleasure and humour to the experience of living, as well as the anger, frustration and deep sadness that may be felt. Without wanting to sound cliched, it reminded me that the one certain thing in life is death and that I should make the most of every minute. BBC Five Live, Book of the Month reader review A work of great humanity and profound empathy. I defy anyone not to cry reading this book. Daily Express 20070629 Downham's prose is brave and bare, her characters relentlessly realistic. Sunday Telegraph This is an oddly uplifting novel. It's about love and friendship and family. It deals with death, but it's a hymn to life. Irish Times 20070714 This is an affecting and brave novel. Tessa is such a rich character...For everyone, it is a reminder to value the people that matter, seize the moment, wish with courage, adventure with relish, even if it's just a trip to the swimming pool, drinking hot chocolate or driving down a dual carriageway in the rain. The Guardian 20070922 ...it's a novel that won't fail to touch those who read it, and despite the melancholy subject matter it manages to be hugely life-affirming. A book that will make you happy to be alive. 5 stars. HEAT 20070929 A moving novel of the highest callibre www.thebookwormreview.blog.com 20070703 Birlliantly-crafted novel www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive 20070702 You should add this one to your must read list Texas Truffles Blog Spot, www.texastrifles.blogspot.com 20070627 This is genuinely affecting www.verbalartscentre.co.uk 20070709 A very good book www.bookwitch.wordpress.com 20070709 Intensely moving and uncompromisingly honest www.youngscot.org 20070709 Downham proves her abundant gifts as a writer, by showing us, in a stark interior poetry that never turns its back on the external world, what it is to face death honestly Unknown 20071001 Captivating and emotionally turbulent this extrordinary book is ultimately a celebration of life. Carousel 20071101 This excellent novel is not for the faint hearted, but it deserves to be very widely read. School Librarian 20071201 The book's invevitable ending is handled lyrically, convincingly INIS 20071201 ...a gripping, heart wrenching tale of a teenager with leukaemia The Irish Independent 20071217 It is a brilliant look at death, life and love...ultimately heart-warming. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Journal 20080306 --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

'A novel that won't fail to touch those who read it...will make you happy to be alive' --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.