If I Stay, A Book Review

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman is the heartbreaking story of the ultimate decision, to live or let go.
High school senior Mia has everything going for her: cool parents, perfect boyfriend, amazing musical talent, a goofy younger brother.  But it is all taken away from her in an instant during a freak car accident that leaves Mia’s mother and father dead and  Mia lands in the ICU, her spirit in limbo between life and death.  Mia struggles with deciding to stay, or leave her life.

Told by Mia’s spirit through a series of flashbacks, Mia paints a portrait of her life that the reader wonders if she will be able to go on living after her parent’s death.  How can she have the physical strength to heal her body with so much emotional pain?

On the other hand, can she leave her family and friends (grandparents, boyfriend, best friend) behind?  Can she give up her musical talent and the possibility of Juilliard?
It’s a decision that Mia struggles with until the final page of the book.

I cried and laughed and cried some more while reading this.  The characters touched my heart and I really felt Mia struggle.  I understood the conflicting sides of the decision that she is faced with.  In the end, I wasn’t sure what she would decide until the very last page.

Although this is classified as teen-age book, readers of all ages can identify with shy, talented Mia.  The central theme of the novel, choice verses sacrifice, is one we, as humans, face on a constant basis.  Maybe not to the extent of life or death, like Mia, but we do make choices and sacrifices that alter our lives in major ways.  These choices change us as Mia’s choices (and the choices of other characters) change them, too.  All our choices have a ripple effect not only effecting our lives, but also effecting the lives of those closest to us and in turn those closest to us affect others and so on. 

Mia sees that the choice to stay or go not only effects her, but all those in the hospital waiting room: boyfriend, best friend, aunts, uncles, cousins, music teacher, even the nurses.  The list goes on and on. 

I think the question on the cover of the edition I read says it perfectly, “What would you do if you had to choose?”

My answer is, I don’t know.  I asked myself that over and over as I read this book.  Could I give up this life?  Could I live without my immediate family?

Other reviews say that this book appeals to those who loved Twilight. The only similarities I found were the love story and the sort-of super naturalness of Mia telling the story from outside her body. I didn’t particularly enjoy Twilight and thought the writing was sub-par. Not the case with If I Stay. The writing was vivid, the plot moved along at a steady pace and the characters were well rounded and believable.

I discovered that a sequel to If I Stay called Where She Went is scheduled for publication in the spring. It takes place three years after If I Stay and is told from the boyfriend’s point of view. I look forward to reading it.

Also, the movie is listed on IMDB.com as in production. Rumors are that Dakota Fanning is in talks to play the part of Mia.