Laura's Reviews > Optimists Die First

4.5 stars. I chose this book for a reading challenge bc I thought it would read fast. It did, but wow. It really moved me. It had me giggling and even crying in turns, throughout. An unexpected delight!

I don't want to throw any spoilers. Petula is in high school and is having emotional difficulties. She is in an assigned art therapy course, which is what really drew me to this book. I've seen the healing power of art in my own life, and wanted to learn more about the formal process.

We do get a (brief) understanding of art therapy, but Nielsen helps you to know & understand the main character and her family so quickly. We feel their pain and their struggles almost immediately. Their story is the real meat of this book. Petula has walled herself off from so many things, and fear is running the show. Her growth over such a short time frame may be a bit far-fetched, but the book really worked for me. I enjoyed meeting her family and friends, and watching her start to rebuild her life again. Fantastic read. Highly recommended in both paper and audio.