Everything Everything
As you all know I am basically a total geek, a full-on bookworm and so proud of it. I love books, I love diving into stories and running away into a completely different world. A few weeks ago I read the beautiful story by Nicola Yoon, Everything Everything. I just want to mention here one of the things that makes me even more obsessed with this book is the fact that this is Nicola Yoon's first published book which is now a hugely successful movie. I'll also talk about the film in this review so no worries my gems I got you!
So the book starts with an introduction to our main character, Madeline, and her life story. Maddy has been sick her whole life and basically her immune system is too weak to fight... anything. Before you all freak out, this is not a true story, as far as I know AND this isn't a spoiler because it's in the trailer and all the book ads.
Pretty soon in the book, Ollie moves in next door to Maddy. I'm sure you've already assumed, this is where the love story aspect comes in. Ollie is a mysterious character with his own personal struggles. I really love this aspect because he doesn't look at Maddy like an alien but rather understands why she feels alone, her imagination, etc. This bond is something that really sets the tone for the book and shows exactly how their relationship grows with so much confidence.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
Okay so lets get real, the love story here is a really wise teen romance. These kids make you fall for their story because it's such a beautiful blend of the normal and the extraordinary. Ollie finds peace and normality in Maddy, even though she is far from normal. Maddy finds someone who isn't her mom or nurse, to care for. He is the first person outside her home that becomes important.
Let's dig into specific moments in the book now! I absolutely love their first kiss, it's such a real first kiss scenario, so easy to imagine and honestly the whole book is so well written that you can easily put yourself into the scenes.
I found that Yoon did a really great job at creating the image of Ollie's dad. He wasn't someone who was immediately expanded on, we find out more later, but the aggressiveness and issues of domestic abuse where clear from the start even when not fully mentioned. This was a lot more ambiguous in the film, where the intensity of Ollie's home life is only clear once Maddie sees the physical altercation between Ollie and his dad, leading up to that he just seems grumpy.
Honestly, there are a few moments where it seems like things aren't going to work out, and as a reader or viewer, you are sitting there thinking about this story knowing that she can't go outside so this can never have a happy ending... well wait for it people!
Skipping forward a bit, my absolute favorite moments of the book and the movie are the Hawaii parts. After she tricks Ollie (not cool), they run away to Hawaii to see if she's still sick, even though she knows she is. In the movie the way Ollie looks at her is EVERYTHING, and in the book the way he is so gentle, caring and worried makes his character so lovable. I just love Ollie in case you didn't notice, also Nick Robinson who plays him- thank you to him for existing. Their love story is incredible even when they return from Hawaii and she ends things-devastating. I loved the break up actually because movies often show breakups with people obsessing over each other and although he did send her lots of messages, it showed how they both chose to move on and live their lives which I thought was beautiful.
BUT have no fear the love isn't gone forever, obviously, I need me some good love stories and this is one of them. After the truth comes out, Maddy goes to find him and they reconnect. I've spoiled a decent amount here but I just can't spoil the truth about Maddy because that would ruin EVERYTHING about this story.
So yes, I love this author, these actors, the story both on screen and on paper, and thank you the world for creating stories that are so believable but not at the same time that I just can't help but pretend it's real.
Talk soon my gems,
Tia
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