If I Stay
Encyclopedia
If I Stay is a young adult novel and thriller by Gayle Forman
published in 2009. The story follows 17-year-old Mia as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident
involving her family. In a coma
, Mia has an out-of-body experience
, and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. She comes to realized that she must decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die. It has received widely positive reviews.. A sequel hit shelves in April 2011, entitled Where She Went.
Adam Wilde: Adam is Mia's boyfriend. He is said to be very handsome, and loves music. He plays guitar and sings for his band "Shooting Star." Adam adores Mia and Mia's family and goes through a considerable amount of grief after the accident.
Kim Schein: Kim is Mia's best friend. They are said to be very alike and are perceived as "dark and studious" assumptions that often works to their advantage. Kim is sarcastic, and obedient to her emotional mother. She and Mia are inseparable .
Teddy Hall: Teddy is Mia's little brother. Mia is extremely fond of Teddy, saying he is like her own kid. Teddy admires Mia and the two are very close. Throughout the book, Mia worries the most about Teddy, as it is unclear at first to whether or not he has died alongside her parents in the accident.
Kat Hall: Mia's mother is a "tough as nails, tender as kittens feminist bitch" She loves rock and her family. She is sometimes protective and is fiercely loyal.
Denny Hall: Mia's father is quite rebellious but is also mature. He steps up to be father and eventually gives up his band in favor of teaching. Both of Mia's parents approve and even love Adam.
In terms of thematic interpretations, Elle Wolterbeek of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy explained that "[m]usic is an extremely important aspect of the story."
According to the Thuy On, “The title refers to the battle between fate and self-will." The reviewer also agreed that the novel addressed “the tug of familial and sexual love and the bonds between friends as well as the passion for music.”
, once in talks to play Mia, is no longer attached to the project. Catherine Hardwicke
was once attached to direct, but has been replaced by Brazilian filmmaker Heitor Dhalia
.
Gayle Forman
Gayle Forman is an American writer who writes for young adults.Forman began her career writing for Seventeen Magazine in which most of her articles focused on young people and social concerns. Later she became a freelance journalist for publications like Details Magazine, Jane Magazine, Glamour...
published in 2009. The story follows 17-year-old Mia as she deals with the aftermath of a catastrophic car accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
involving her family. In a coma
Coma
In medicine, a coma is a state of unconsciousness, lasting more than 6 hours in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally to painful stimuli, light or sound, lacks a normal sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate voluntary actions. A person in a state of coma is described as...
, Mia has an out-of-body experience
Out-of-body experience
An out-of-body experience is an experience that typically involves a sensation of floating outside of one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body ....
, and watches as friends and family gather at the hospital where she is being treated. She comes to realized that she must decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die. It has received widely positive reviews.. A sequel hit shelves in April 2011, entitled Where She Went.
Plot
Mia and her family, Mom (Kat), Dad (Denny), 7 year old brother (Teddy) go on a car ride to their grandparents. They are caught in a car accident. Her parents die instantly, whilst she and her brother are left in a critical condition. The book is based on her 'overseeing' the events and herself in the hospital.Characters
Mia Hall: the protagonist of the story. Mia is quiet, kind and very musically gifted. Above all things she loves her family, her cello and friends. Mia struggles with belonging, often feeling like she is out of place next her rock and roll, rebellious family and boyfriend.Adam Wilde: Adam is Mia's boyfriend. He is said to be very handsome, and loves music. He plays guitar and sings for his band "Shooting Star." Adam adores Mia and Mia's family and goes through a considerable amount of grief after the accident.
Kim Schein: Kim is Mia's best friend. They are said to be very alike and are perceived as "dark and studious" assumptions that often works to their advantage. Kim is sarcastic, and obedient to her emotional mother. She and Mia are inseparable .
Teddy Hall: Teddy is Mia's little brother. Mia is extremely fond of Teddy, saying he is like her own kid. Teddy admires Mia and the two are very close. Throughout the book, Mia worries the most about Teddy, as it is unclear at first to whether or not he has died alongside her parents in the accident.
Kat Hall: Mia's mother is a "tough as nails, tender as kittens feminist bitch" She loves rock and her family. She is sometimes protective and is fiercely loyal.
Denny Hall: Mia's father is quite rebellious but is also mature. He steps up to be father and eventually gives up his band in favor of teaching. Both of Mia's parents approve and even love Adam.
Reception
Lynn Rashid of the School Library Journal explained that the novel has “captivating characters” that “will cause [readers] to laugh, cry, and love" and "question the boundaries of family and love.” Mia has a “compelling story” said Rashid. Finally Rashid explained that “Readers will find themselves engrossed in Mia’s struggles and will race to the satisfying yet realistic conclusion."In terms of thematic interpretations, Elle Wolterbeek of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy explained that "[m]usic is an extremely important aspect of the story."
According to the Thuy On, “The title refers to the battle between fate and self-will." The reviewer also agreed that the novel addressed “the tug of familial and sexual love and the bonds between friends as well as the passion for music.”
Film adaptation
A film version of the book is in the works at Summit Entertainment. Dakota FanningDakota Fanning
Hannah Dakota Fanning , better known as Dakota Fanning, is an American actress. Fanning's breakthrough performance was in I Am Sam in 2001. As a child actress, she appeared in high-profile films such as Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, and Charlotte's Web...
, once in talks to play Mia, is no longer attached to the project. Catherine Hardwicke
Catherine Hardwicke
Catherine Hardwicke is an American production designer, film writer and film director. Her works include the independent film Thirteen, which she co-wrote with Nikki Reed, the film's co-star, the Biblically-themed The Nativity Story, the vampire film Twilight, and the werewolf film Red Riding Hood...
was once attached to direct, but has been replaced by Brazilian filmmaker Heitor Dhalia
Heitor Dhalia
Heitor Dhalia is a Brazilian film director and screenwriter. He has directed five films since 1988. His film, À Deriva, competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.-Filmography:...
.