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The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice

The Daily Utah Chronicle

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The Daily Utah Chronicle

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“I Was Here” Explores Deep Themes with Emotion and Empathy

I+Was+Here+Explores+Deep+Themes+with+Emotion+and+Empathy

Suicide. The topic can bring to the surface devastating emotions in any circumstances, but digging deep and understanding the reasons why people choose to commit it can nearly break the heart.

Gayle Foreman’s, I Was Here,CQ portrays the story of a young girl and how her suicide affects those around her. Foreman eloquently creates an array of emotions as she tackles the heartbreak of death while including hope for a new future.

For Cody, one of the primary characters of the novel, life gave her the short end of the stick. She couldn’t afford college, she got stuck in her small hometown in Washington and her single mom couldn’t care less. Nothing was as it should’ve been, with the exception of her dependable best friend, Meg.

Cody is strong-willed and determined. Having to raise herself, she became distant and independent. Meg was always the one she could rely on — the one who would stick by her side no matter what. She was her bright sunlight.

When Cody receives a timed email from Meg declaring her suicide, Cody realizes she may not even have known her best friend at all. Spoiler alert?

Foreman takes the reader through Cody’s journey to discover what led Meg to commit suicide. Through the mind of a college-aged girl, the reader experiences the innocent demands of a young adult while understanding the mature choices still having to be made.

Though the main focus of the novel is on the aftermath of suicide, other themes are examined as well, such as unavoidable romance, loose family ties and the strength of friendship. This range of themes helps the novel form a well-rounded, personal approach. Almost anyone could find something to enjoy.

As found in the “Author’s Note” to the novel, Foreman took adequate measures to ensure reality in this novel. When Foreman was researching, she learned about a girl who joined a suicide support group that encouraged members to commit suicide and provided instructions on how to carry everything out.

Appalled, Foreman learned all she could about this girl and the steps she took. Eventually the character of Meg was formed with this young girl in mind.

Like this girl, Meg joined a suicide support group called, “The Final Solution.” It was an online chat group where Meg found someone to give her the right nudge to finish her life.

Devastated at learning about Meg’s depression and realizing Meg had to rely on a suicide support group, Cody does all she can to repeat the steps and try to see from Meg’s point of view. Along the way, Cody runs into Meg’s roommates, friends and a one night stand, Ben. She realizes she may need to open up in order to close up her devastation of losing Meg.

I Was Here gives an accurate portrayal of the tragedy of suicide and how others fight to overcome the death of a friend. Readers will laugh and tear up with the progression of this novel while marveling at Cody’s bravery.

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