uncorrected proof copy©
‘Gram is worried about me. It’s not just because my sister Bailey died four weeks ago, or because my mother hasn’t contacted me in sixteen years or even because suddenly all I think about is sex. She is worried because one of her houseplants has spots.”
So begins The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. In one short, opening paragraph Nelson does what only a skilled writer can do. She draws us in quickly and packs a punch. Already we know the key themes; death, abandonment, sex and humour.
In many ways, the story is familiar chick-lit territory. Lennie, the 17 year old narrator, in trying to make sense of her sister’s death, forms a brief, intense relationship with her sister’s boyfriend Toby. It confuses both of them; taboos are broken. Just as she’s trying to fathom what’s happening on that front, along comes Joe Fontaine, new kid on the block, gorgeous, kooky, musical like Lennie. He shows up at the house, unafraid of the grief each member of the family exhibits (as well as the nurturing green-fingered and artistic granny, Lennie has an eccentric much married and divorced pothead Uncle living with them) . But all Joe wants is to play a duet with Lennie. Of course, they fall in love. Cue triangle. Then there’s the goofy, trusty sidekick Sarah, unconventional (of course) and Rachel the rival for Joe’s affections, (spiteful, of course) . Plus page after page of the wisecracking dialogue we’ve come to expect from American teens.
What lifts The Sky is Everywhere above the genre is the sheer quality of the writing. Despite the same events occuring over and over again - Lennie starts to feel happy then is overwhelmed with guilt at daring to feel happy when Bailey is dead and can’t - I always wanted to read on. I liked the poems Lennie hastily scribbles and leaves everywhere that end every chapter. I liked the insights. ‘When someone dies a library burns.’ I loved the witty descriptions. Nelson is especially good at clothing: ‘Sarah floats in dressed like a fabric shop specialising in paisley.’ and ‘I turn to see Gram has put on a bright pink floral no-clue-what - a coat? A cape? A shower curtain? - over an ever brighter purple flowered frock. Her hair is down and wild - it looks like it conducts electricity.’ This is deft, skilled writing, perfectly pitched for its intended audience.
The Sky is Everywhere is published in June by Walker Books. It will do well.
Perfect for: fans of Stephanie Meyer, Sue Limb, Skins etc.
