Adolescence brings children to the cusp of adulthood, all of its glories within sight, and it’s not uncommon for behavior to follow suit. Yet, the adolescent brain is just not yet fully developed, resulting in a spotty use of rational decision making. Place this life stage within an environment of affluent privilege, and the setting is ripe for an eventful story. Add the component of technology and its immediate reach to the masses, and the novel This Beautiful Life is born.
Helen Schulman’s new novel depicts a family life that is unknowingly as delicate as the image of a stack of cards on the cover. Each of the primary characters from the family takes a turn as the central focus of individual chapters. Schulman demonstrates great skill in creating distinct third-person narrators for the alternating chapters. When focused on the mom of the family, Liz, her straining disconnect is prominent. She’s unhappy– she thinks, but then she wonders if perhaps she could just be wrong– maybe she’s not thinking positively enough, for in this beautiful life, how could she not be? For Richard, the father, the voice is quite succinct and to the point, as Richard makes up his mind and gets things done.
Jake, the fifteen year old son, however, is perhaps the best rendered voice in my opinion. His teenaged uncertainty, his adolescent over-thinking that immediately brings embarrassment and causes him to turn inward even more– that makes his character feel the most realistic.
After partying with a group of peers one night, Jake receives a sexually explicit video from a thirteen year old girl whose desperation in wanting to be viewed as older and in control is painful to witness. In one central fateful click, Jake forwards this video to his best friend, in shock. His reaction is genuine confusion mixed with simultaneous intrigue and shame, and he admits that he simply did not think before sending it to his best friend, the only person he thought he could share it with.
This one seemingly isolated event tears at each family member as the after-effects are more widespread than anyone could have imagined. Technology and adolescence make for strange and potentially disastrous bedfellows.
Jake’s character comes to life on the pages as a sensitive and thoughtful teenager, though most of his inner thoughts are expressed only to the reader, and not to his peers or parents. As is typical of many teenagers, he’s uncertain that anyone can truly understand him, and in such a volatile situation, he feels desperately alone. In the aftermath of the video going completely viral, many responses come from his peers that range from celebration and emulation to outright disdain toward him, revealing even more about adolescent perspectives.
Schulman’s writing is tight, yet very descriptive, and considering the sexual nature of the central plot, it should be noted that several passages contain explicit material that are distressing, to say the least. But while I may shy away from some fiction that makes me uncomfortable like the horror genre, I personally viewed this type of story differently, seeing as its ideas are based in the realities of our contemporary world.
If you’re interested in a well written take on family dynamics and personal reactions in the face of adolescent behavior and poor decision making, Helen Schulman’s This Beautiful Life is a quick and intense read.
We have three copies to share with readers! Please leave a comment here to be entered to win, open to U.S. and Canada addresses. We’ll announce the winners on August 10.
Jennifer has reposted her Kirkus blog review of Bonding over Beauty at 5 Minutes for Mom, so be sure to click over there for a chance to win a copy if you have a young tween daughter (or want to get ready to have one!).
Congratulations to our recent winners:
- It Came From the 70s luggage tags: All 10 commenters received the tags
- The Mystery of the Blue Ring ebook: #2 Jenna and #9 Maureen.
Keep up with us this summer: Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed or video reviews on YouTube. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.
Dawn hopes her own experiences parenting a teenager in only two years are much, much less dramatic. Her family life is chronicled on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
Liz says
A timely novel, and not just for teens.
Dawn says
Who says #1 comments never win?? Congratulations, Liz- you’re our randomly drawn winner. Please email me at morninglightmama (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing info!
Krista says
I’m not sure I’d “want” to read this, but seeing as my husband is a high school teacher and I hear about this on a weekly basis during the school year… I’d better know what’s going on and perhaps have a way to talk about it too.
(and can I please put my babies in a bubble until they’re 21???)
riTa says
I am interested because my grandchildren face these issues. Thank you!
June says
Interesting reading for all ages I’m sure.
Bin says
After you telling me about this book, I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Dawn says
Congrats, Bin, you’re one of our lucky winners!
Jean Lewis says
Great cover. We all deal with these issues in some form. Thanks for the giveaway.
Vilmarys says
I would love to read this!!! There are a lot of adolescents in my family and this would be a great way to talk about this subject that is happening in our world today.
Karen says
Sounds great, thanks!
Cindi says
I have a degree in Psychology and human behavior has always fascinated me. Her book filled with family dynamics is a book that I would really enjoy reading!
Many thanks, Cindi
Christy says
I’d love to share this with my granddaughter!
debbie says
I seem to remember something similar happening last year. Teens have so much at their disposal, but not the adult ability to make the correct decisions about it, too often. I would like to read this book.
[email protected]
Tammy Gordon says
Sounds like a great book!
Beth C says
I would enjoy reading this. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Linda Kish says
I would love to win a copy of this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Dawn says
Congrats, Linda, you’re one of our winners, too! Please send me your mailing address at morninglightmama(at)gmail(dot)com.
Some Lucky Dog says
I would love to read this!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
Staci A says
I would love to read this. Sounds like an interesting book!
tennille says
looks like an interesting read
Megan says
looks like a timely novel–would love to win
mearley1979 at gmail dot com
katklaw777 says
Thanks for the great literary giveaway!
Anita Yancey says
Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to win a copy.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Chris says
I think my sister and I would both like to read this.