Willow by Julia Hoban

Title: Willow
Author: Julia Hoban
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Willow is a book that covers a difficult topic to talk about, Cutting or self mutilation. If you never have never known someone who is self abusive this book can give some insight into what individuals are thinking and what is behind the cause for one to self mutilate.

Julia Hoban does a wonderful job of describing the feelings that Willow has before she is cutting, during and also after she has cut herself.

Willow is a young girl who blames herself for her parents death. Since her parents death she has moved in with her older brother and his wife and daughter. Willow also feels that her brother blames her for the death of their parents and now for having to play a parent role for his younger sister. When Willow experiences all these emotions of loneliness, depression and guilt she cuts herself. Willow feels that she is all alone until she meets a boy named Guy.

Guy showing interest in Willow finds out that she is cutting herself and for the first time in her life Willow lets Guy in and tells him why she cuts and the purpose that it serves.

There are parts of the book that are difficult to read and aren't for the faint of heart but overall Julia Hoban does a wonderful job of showing an outsider what it is that drives an individual that feels the need to cut.

Willow is a heartfelt story that shows how one girl can overcome her past.