“Despair is knowing beyond any doubt that things will never get any better.”
About 22 Scars
22 Scars is my first novel, published in late 2017. It tells the story of Amy, a depressed teenager, whose only solace is in self-harm. Her parents are neglectful and abusive, and she struggles to find acceptance, even with her only true friend, Beth.
The story is told primarily from the perspectives of the people around Amy, because I wanted to show the effects of depression not only for the sufferer, but on those around them. Much of the story is based on my own personal experiences, both as a teenager and as a parent, or borrowed from the experiences of people I know personally.
In a way, I feel like this is a true story. The emotions, the despair, the trauma and the psychological damage - all of it is real, to so many people around the world.
And this is my message to you all: your pain and suffering is real, too. Whether you know it first-hand, or know someone who suffers from a mental illness, these problems won’t go away by sweeping them under the rug. They need to be talked about, and if 22 Scars can do that, then it has been a success.
Select Reviews
“This book deserves 5 stars for originality alone.
It reads a lot like The New Yorker for YA. And the depression is approached internally not only externally on the screen - as in, while you're reading, you're pretty much feeling as confused and disoriented and unsure of anything as Amy herself.
Many will scorn that. I think in today's literary world of too many similar books, that's sheer brilliance.
The writing style is raw and frank, and authentic. And I am literally DYING to read anything else by this author.
If you're a reader tired of predicting exactly what happens or where the book goes - this book is a whole new joyride for you.”
— Julie, Goodreads
“This is a unique portrayal of a character’s journey through the struggles she experiences in her life, and the emotions and thoughts she grapples with every day. The novel is brilliant in a subtle way, focusing primarily on understanding and developing the character of Amy, through events in her life, but also he lives of her parents.
The beginning was a bit slow and confusing, but it helped me properly understand Amy’s daily life and get as comfortable as possible in it. Then the novel gradually delves deeper into her life and her struggles, slowly building my sympathy and understanding towards Amy. The further I got into the book, the more intrigued I become, but the harder it also became for me to read it, because the further I got in the book, the more it focused on events that shaped her into becoming the way she is. Including events in the lives of her parents that resulted in them being the way that they were.
The way the book was written took a while to get used to, but the detached way that it’s written highlights the way that Amy feels about life, essentially adding another dimension to the book which helps in setting the mood.
This was an absolutely amazing and beautiful read in its own unique way. It ended in a bittersweet way that left me speechless. You should definitely read it if you enjoy these sorts of novels.”
— S-Reads, Goodreads
