‘Thirteen Reasons Why’

When it comes to novels, few may have the staying power of Jay Asher’s 2007 novel,

Thirteen Reasons Why. The blunt, honest approach to conventionally taboo topics — harassment, bullying and suicide — has become a source of heated debate, especially with the release of Netflix’s popular television series based on the novel, which has stimulated the popularity of Asher’s novel.

Simply scrolling through one’s social media is enough to understand the overwhelming amount of hype surrounding the novel. Thirteen Reasons Why follows the story of Clay Jensen, who receives seven audiotapes following the suicide of his classmate, Hannah Baker. Each side of these tapes is addressed to a different person and highlights a situation that person was involved in that eventually led to Baker’s suicide.

Throughout the novel, readers follow along as Clay listens to the audiotapes and experiences the grief and emotional trauma from both being one of the 13 reasons and hearing about the bullying and harassment that led to Hannah’s suicide. The book is direct and even harsh about the ways in which bullying impacts a person’s mental health, allowing the reader to relate to the situations and understand how each person’s actions can play a role in initiating — or preventing — self-harm and suicide.

The novel placed 16th on USA Today’s list of top 100 best-selling books of 2017. And while most praise the TV show and the way it initiates a conversation between parents and teens on suicide and depression, many mental health professionals have expressed concern about it, concerned about its portrayal of suicide and self-harm, as well as the lack of trigger warnings before each episode.

Despite the heated debate surrounding the series’ impact, most people agree that in the book, Hannah’s suicide is far less romanticized and the approach to such sensitive topics is more realistic, serious and profound to the readers. At the heart of the novel is the idea that even the smallest negative words or actions can bring someone down and negatively impact their mental health. However, people often forget that kind words and actions can build a person up — and maybe even change their life in a way they never knew was possible.

If you or someone you know struggles with depression or suicidal thoughts, call 800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.