"If my life were a book and you read it backward, nothing would change. Today is the same as yesterday. Tomorrow will be the same as today. In the Book of Maddy, all the chapters are the same.
Until Olly."
-Madeline, from the novel
This is a novel I likely would never have read except that it was offered to me by a friend. It is YA fiction, making for an easier and faster-than-usual read. The plot is compelling, the writing is poetic at times and profound at others, but it's the unconventional writing style that grabs the attention. The first person narrative is enhanced by other types of print---diary entries, memos, schedules, drawings (by the author's husband), airline tickets and pages of instant messaging. It reminded me of a juvenile fiction I read years ago while teaching 5th grade: Regarding the Fountain: A Tale in Letters, of Liars and Leaks by Kate Klise. As I remember that plot was completely dependent on letters, emails, receipts, teacher's notes on a chalkboard and more. So creative!
Madeline Whittier begins her story from her White Room in the home where she has been quarantined for 17 years with SCID, severe combined immunodefiency, also know as Bubble Baby Disease. She explains she is pretty much "allergic to the world." She takes classes online and the only actual people in her life are her mother, a physician, and her nurse Carla.
When a new family moves in next door, Maddy can't help but notice the handsome teenage son, Olly. He soon notices her in the window and they begin a cyber relationship---IMing back and forth until...Carla makes it possible for him to visit in person. From there it seems there is no going back and as the bond grows and deepens, there will be surprises!
Although a few aspects were a bit unbelievable, I was touched by Maddy's story. I rate the book a 4.
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