I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 27, 2018
Date Read: April 2, 2018
Length: 272 pages
Source: Bookish First
★★★★☆
A powerful story of empathy and friendship from the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of If I Stay.
Around the time that Freya loses her voice while recording her debut album, Harun is making plans to run away from everyone he has ever loved, and Nathaniel is arriving in New York City with a backpack, a desperate plan, and nothing left to lose. When a fateful accident draws these three strangers together, their secrets start to unravel as they begin to understand that the way out of their own loss might just lie in helping the others out of theirs.
An emotionally cathartic story of losing love, finding love, and discovering the person you are meant to be, I Have Lost My Way is bestselling author Gayle Forman at her finest.
Have you ever lost your way? I have. I don’t mean those times when I needed to stop and ask for directions when I was trying to find a location although I have certainly been that kind of lost. I am referring to the kind of lost where your life has hit a point and you can’t think of what to do next. Those times that you have no idea where you can even go from where you are. I have lost my way. More than once. I am happy to say that each time I have been lost, I have been able to eventually find a new direction to go.
I have very little in common with the characters in this book but I was still able to relate to them. I understood Harun’s need to please his family and his fear of losing their love if he shows them who he really is. I also understood Freya’s fear of losing the one thing that is such an important part of her identity. I understood Nathaniel’s need to not be a bother to anyone while living his life under the radar because “it’s all good” anyway. I haven’t been in the situations that Freya, Harun, and Nathaniel find themselves in during this story but I found each of their characters very easy to like and I really wanted to see them find what they needed in life.
I really did enjoy reading this book. This is the first of Gayle Forman’s books that I have had the chance to read so I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I started. I have to tell you that I loved her writing style. I sat down to read just a chapter of this book because I had things around the house and the next thing I knew it was 200 pages later. I was drawn in by the words and the images that they painted of these characters.
I really liked that the story was hopeful. These three characters are all at a low point in their lives and meet through a chance encounter. It turns out that meeting each other is exactly what they needed. I enjoyed watching them come alive and reach out to each other. Their bond developed very quickly but it felt completely authentic. I knew that they would be able to find their way together.
I would recommend this book to others. This is a pretty quick read that packs a punch. I wanted to know exactly what brought them to the point where they feel lost and cheered them as they started to connect with each other. I can’t wait to read more of this talented author’s work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Viking Books for Young Readers via Bookish First.
About the AuthorGayle Forman is an award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author and journalist. She is the author of If I Stay, Where She Went, Just One Day, Just One Year, I Was Here, and Leave Me. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and daughters.
I never did read one of hers when I think of it. I think the library oly had translations and I was all nope
I can only imagine.
Definitely a great premise and I do like books that make you think about life. What a great review!
Thanks, Cindy!
I loved this one. I was surprised at hoe much she got into such a short book without it feeling like it was lacking. Glad you enjoyed it!
It was a big story even though it wasn't really a long book.
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! I liked how universal the "lost my way" portion was, because even if you haven't gone through the character's exact situations, there's still so many overall feelings and emotions that are relatable. I also agree with you on the ending. I loved how hopeful it was. For a while there I was worried it was going to completely break me.
I was really surprised by how easy it was to relate to this story.
Interesting title, but for 2 people it feels like a journey somehow? cool review
Thanks, Ailyn!
I have this one to read soon. Really looking forward to it.
I hope you like it as much as I did!
been eyeing this myself, sounds like a really good and relatable read
I hope you like it if you get the chance to read this one.
It sounds interesting and yay for it being good. I've heard nice things about her books from others, too.
My daughter loves some of her books. We have some of her books but I actually never thought to read them myself.
Sitting down "just for a minute" and reading 200 pages is a very good sign. I am so easily distracted that this doesn't happen very often anymore.
It is a very good sign!
This is an author I have yet to try. I think we all lose our way once in a while. I do like that this was hopeful. Great review Carole.
I am glad that I decided to read this book. I just loved her writing style. Thanks!
So glad your first Forman experience was positive. I love her books, and absolutely adored this one. Like you said, it was the friendship and the whole concept of human connection that won my heart, and it was hopeful. When things were darkest for these three, they were able to find hope in each other. Great review!
I really liked the three characters and how they came together to support each other and make each other stronger. It was a great reading experience. Thanks!