Friday, October 7, 2016

Review: Detached by Christina Kilbourne

Release date: August 13th 2016
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:




Sometimes the people that look really happy to you are in fact the ones suffering.

No one knew what Anna was going through internally. On the outside, she was a great student and a talented artist. After her grandparents' death, they all believed she was coping fine. But that's not the case. 

It's rare to read a book about someone who spends her days coming up with ways to die. I found her thoughts very sad and so terrifying. I mean, the stuff she'd think up were so horrible. And throughout the story I kept wishing she would just give up on that and try to talk to someone about her feelings. There was a point where she'd failed at an attempt and I was convinced she would give up. But then she'd just continue on that path right after. It was easy for me to be frustrated with Anna's character and get mad at her for wanting to end her life, but this story was realistic in the sense that there are teens and adults like Anna going through the same thing. From the outside we judge and say things like it's cowardly or they're just giving up, but truly these people are dealing with a LOT. 

I was mad at her parents, her mom in particular, for not seeing it. They were basically in denial, convincing themselves that Anna was fine. But there were hints, sometimes small, but it should have been enough for them to question from earlier on before it went further. Then again, I had to understand and see things from their point of view. They were parents doing their best and would never have guessed that their child was hurting so much that she'd want to commit suicide. 

Overall, Detached is a great story touching on a serious and real topic. It has nice writing and very heart-tugging moments that will leave you thinking: do I know someone like Anna? 
This is my first time reading a book by Christina Kilbourne, and I'm impressed. I want more.

About the Author
Christina KilbourneChristina Kilbourne is an award-winning young adult author who handles complex subjects with sensitivity and tact while covering issues of critical significance to youth. She was born in Southwestern, Ontario, then moved and spent her elementary and high school years in Muskoka, a resort area two hours north of Toronto, Canada. Her novel, Dear Jo, was the recipient of three Canadian young reader’s choice awards. It was also shortlisted for a young reader’s choice award in New York. They Called Me Red was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award. She is a three-time recipient of an Ontario Arts Council Works in Progress Grant. 

Christina graduated with an Honours BA in English Literature and Anthropology from the University of Western Ontario and completed her Masters degree in Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Windsor, Ontario. Upon graduating Christina travelled across Africa, Mexico, Central, South America, Australia and parts of the South Pacific. She lived two years in New Zealand. Christina currently lives with her husband and two children near Bracebridge, Canada. She is a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada.


  1. I'm glad authors are doing books like this, it lets the readers know if they have that issue they're not alone. But dang, reading this would make me sad.

    1. Me too. I love that more books like this are coming out. Yeah, it's sad and it takes a lot to keep reading. And I do think it'll be tougher for anyone going through depression or is affected by someone like Anna.

  2. Wow, this is such an inspiring story. I think I'll be adding it to my never ending reading list eh. Thanks for sharing!


    1. It really is inspiring. In a way it gives a bit more understanding.

  3. Eesh. I could not do this book. I mean, it sounds well written but I don't know if I could handle all her dark thoughts. Although, I've read books that deal with real life issues and I really like that authors are writing about them and are not making their characters perfect. It makes them human and relatable.

    1. I thought so too at first, but I'm glad I gave it a shot. I do like emotional stories that touch on real issues. Hope you give this one a try.

  4. Wow! This sounds like a real gut wrenching read! I can see why you enjoyed it so much!

    1. I really did. I love stories that pull at my heart and make me think a lot. Hope you'll pick it up, Naomi :)



Related Posts