The 39 Deaths of Adam Strand by Gregory Galloway; let me say this first, if you have some very strong opinions about suicide I want to recommend this book but I honestly feel like I would be wasting my time doing so. You have to accept that there are some things you just can’t understand and if you can’t do that then I don’t recommend this book.

I picked this book up from the store because I thought the title was interesting, who is this Adam Strand and why does he die 39 times? I mean, that’s a lot. At first things were dragging, he was committing suicide and coming right back to life, he shot himself and also lit himself on fire and came back to life like it didn’t happen. I wanted to know how. How is this possible? Here’s the thing, the other doesn’t want you to wonder how this is happening. That’s not his point. It’s just one way to get your attention. I didn’t try thinking about this book in a different way until I skipped to the end and read the Author’s Note. There is this cycle of unhappiness going on and for some people that’s a real thing.

I honestly cried at the end of this; spolier* no Adam doesn’t succeed in finally staying dead like he wants. I honestly can’t even tell you the exact reason I cried, someone who has faced depression in life and has tried to commit suicide before it just hit me and the tears came out. I feel like the author is trying to say with all of these repeat deaths of Adam is that suicide never helps in the end. For some people they feel like this is the only way, they believe things will get better but it doesn’t. I hope people find peace but I don’t believe suicide helps you or the people around you. I hope people who read this book and have had thoughts, I hope it makes them want to fight.

I liked the book, it took a while to understand and it’s not my favorite but I did like the book.

~D

If you would like anymore information about suicide prevention or help you can visit the Suicide Prevention Website or call the hotline 1-800-273-8255.

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