A Blue So Dark

A Blue So Dark
Author: Holly Schindler
Pages: 288
Published by Flux
Release Date: May 1st 2010
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Grade: A

Summary: (From Goodreads)
  Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that "creative" equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked—and together may offer an escape from her fears.

My Review:
A Blue So Dark was a very touching novel full of fantastic description and well-fleshed out characters. I know that Holly Schindler did a lot of research about schizophrenia for this novel, and it its very obvious in this book that she had. I was in awe after reading this book, since I believe that she created an amazing, vivid and gritty world that Aura and her mother lived in.

I was impressed by the characters in a Blue So Dark. Each character was crafted very vividly and seemed quite realistic, as if they could just fly off the page. I was particuliarly interested in two characters; Aura's best friend Janny, as well as Aura's mother Grace. Seeing Janny struggle through the world as a teen mom, as well as her relationship with Aura were both interesting concepts to the novel. Grace, Aura's mother, is the schizo, so she's obviously one of the main characters. It was very interesting in watching her sink into mental illness, as well as comparing how she used to act, to how she is now.    Aura, our narrator, was a deep and complicated character, but also the average girl type. She's normal but not, and watching her struggle with her mother's mental illness and the fear that she'd end up with schizophrenia were agonizing to read about. Seeing her attempting to reahc out for art but shut herself down was a painful and gritty but gorgeous part of the novel.

I am a person who has always taken an interest in mental illness. This book sounded quite spectacular, specifically the schizophrenia theme. I can definitely say that it turned out just as amazing as I thought it would. Holly Schindler certainly did lots of research, which was displayed through every word.

Speaking of words......this author is one to watch out for. Holly Schindler's writing is GORGEOUS. She manages to create such strong emotions that fly out of the book with her words, as well as fantastic description and a poignant story line.

A Blue So Dark is a stunning novel.....a kaleidoscope of many well fleshed out elements. If you have not read this one, please pick it up! A first-rate novel!