“That's a misconception, Lennie, the sky is everywhere, it begins at your feet.”
Lennie Walker, a not-so-typical 17-year-old, is best described as a music geek and timid bookworm who has lived in the shadow of her spirited older sister Bailey. Bailey's untimely death compelled Lennie out of her shell, to face the world .
Tragedy strikes
In the first few weeks after the tragedy, Lennie is unable to cope with the loss and shuts everyone out, predominantly her grandmother, fondly called Gram, her Uncle Big and best friend Sarah. Lennie finds herself being comforted by Toby, Bailey's boyfriend. They seem to understand each other, going through the same grief, trying to mitigate it for each other so as to not lose her completely and in the process sympathising with each other in approaches even they are not quite sure of.
Her past with boys was quite negligible, yet in the face of this tragedy Lennie manages to find herself another admirer in Joe Fontaine. A new boy in town, straight from Paris is bound to catch anyone's attention yet unknowingly Lennie is at the receiving end of his affections. She lands herself in a maelstrom, having to choose between Toby and Joe. Toby seemed to be a reflection of the very feelings and thoughts Lennie had to handle, while Joe had everything a girl could wish for.
Through the book we catch glimpses of Bailey's life with the help of Lennie's writing and poetry. It adds a touch of realism and personality to Lennie who does not seem to give herself credit for what she is capable of doing and who she is.
Moving tale
Fleeting moments of love, betrayal, insecurity, sympathy and anger, all add to the story. Jandy Nelson's debut is a moving tale of love and forgiveness.
It's not just about grief and loss, it about life, friendship and love, about moving ahead, evolving and awakening, because sometimes you must lose everything to find yourself.
Anjali Adlakha, is a I Year, BA Economics student at Stella Maris College
Title: the sky is everywhere
