87. Why Would We Read a Sad Story?

I loved CURES FOR HEARTBREAK by Margo Rabb. You can read my review in the Marianas Variety here . But I expect there are many who shy away from stories and books that seem "depressing" or "sad." I do that, too. I won this book in an on-line contest and had it sitting on my shelf, but seeing that it was about a teen whose mother dies from cancer, I wasn't eager to dive into it.

What prompted me to read this young adult book was the recommendation on Roger Sutton's blog ReadRoger . Mr. Sutton is the editor-in-chief of the Horn Book Review, a periodical that I love (and subscribe to) because it discusses children's books, reviews the notable and new releases, and adds a bit of humor at the end. His glowing review of CURES FOR HEARTBREAK prompted me to start reading it. And the first page was enough to pull me in and keep me reading it until I finished.


So I've also been thinking about why we read books that make us cry and then we discover that we love them. Are we sadistic that we love pain and hurt? I don't think so.

This book isn't just a wallow in misery and sorrow. It is an epic tale of courage in the face of danger, an adventure into foreign territory, and most importantly, a shared experience. It isn't a sad, depressing tale, although it made me cry copiously--it's a celebration of life, the life of a teen who is strong, witty and capable of deep love.

By sharing that experience, by listening to Mia's voice in this book, we elevate our own grief and the need to cope to a higher level. We participate in humanity, in its fullest sense.

For me, the fact that I've lost my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law, one of my best friends, and others to cancer doesn't excuse me from reading this book or others like it that are similarly worthy. This book renewed my spirit, and connected me to a little bit inside of me that is better than the rest, the part that loves, that expresses compassion, that laughs in the joy of life, despite the sorrows from the death of loved ones.

52. Condolences

I extend my condolences to the families and friends of Kim Jin Ah, Yang Mira, Ku Jung Whan and Suh Sang Won. May our prayers fly to heaven to welcome your children. May you find comfort and peace from our sharing of your grief. May you forgive the waves.