Half a Suicide

Beginning to read this book was like watching a movie twice. I already knew the exciting part, just like in Darin Strauss´s Half a Life. The first sentence hooked the reader but gave the whole book and its climax away. I already knew this guy would light himself in flames. 

As I read page 10, many ideas caught my attention. How does a twelve year old consider suicide? And why did Brent´s accomplice rather that he kill himself over being caught stealing? Brent had explicitly said "I´m going to kill myself," and Nick was actually relieved. Their school must have had some serious consequences!

Nowadays, parents involve themselves in their children´s life. How could Brent´s family not notice marks on his neck after he tried to hang himself? Or the cuts o his arms? Had they noted, probability of their son attempting suicide would have changed. I found two pages(s) containng warning signs about youth suicide, yet access to this information was probably harder in 1991.

These warnings read:

• Giving out prized possessions.
• Talking about suicide.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or guilty.
• Suicidal plans and prior suicidal behaviors.
• Suicidal threats in the form of statements.

It is mind-blowing that all of these things Brent did and no one noticed.