The fictional story unfolds through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Sam who's father is a raging alcoholic. Sam's character is proof that an addiction or disorder of any kind can greatly effect the way an individual views every part of the world. Sam's life seems to be a constant struggle. Friend makes Sam someone that readers can empathize with, even if they haven't been directly effected by alcoholism.Sam is the type of extraordinary student that dwells in every middle school across the nation.She is insecure in most trivial parts of ordinary life, yet she is remarkably brave in every terrible situation that she finds herself in. Readers that can relate to that insecurity and situational bravery are bound to gain something from the depiction of Samatha's experience.
As her father's condition worsens Sam grows tired of having no one she can confide in. Brilliantly, she comes up with a strategy that enables her to communicate with a complete stranger that visits her public library. The person from the library responds and consequently becomes her confidant. Sam shares everything with this person, even the things she won't tell her closest friends. Sam's library pen pal goes by the pen name A.J.K.
The story progresses through Sam's struggle to maintain a relationships with all of the people in her life.It was impossible not to empathize with the way Sam was trying to keep herself from changing too much and yet grow into someone else who is ready to deal mature freindships, new romantic interests, and an addict father. The author does a spectacular job describing and highlighting the minor characters and how the interactions between these characters cause the turmoil in Sam's life. It is easy to see how constantly dealing with the consequences of other people's choices has worn down on Sam. I can recall a time when I had to deal with consequences as a result of another person's decision.Everyone has on of these experiences. Friend does a such great job consistently asking the reader empathize with Sam, it's almost too easy.
I know the story is written well because it was easy for me to identify with thirteen-year-old Sam."I'm twenty years old," I kept telling myself as I read on. "I'm twenty, she is thirteen and I am relating to all of her insecurities. Mature." At first I felt like I hadn't matured at all sense the 8th grade. I was jealous. I was seemed to be a monstrosity at thirteen. Sam is almost popular and voted "best boobs" on one of those rating lists that hopefully only exist in fictional boy's locker rooms. Jealous. I was not, at thirteen, ever voted "best" anything, forget "best insert physical feature here." If it wasn't for this poor girl's struggle with her alcoholic father, weirdly ignorant mother and diverse friendships I would have closed the book feeling subordinate to a fictional character. Despite our differences I was still able to realte Sam to myself and I think that says alot about the fashion the book was written in.
After tragedy strikes Sam feels alone. The library becomes her sanctuary. This is understandable. As the story went on I felt myself identifying with Sam's pen pal A.J.K. A.J.K is a listener and a friend to Sam when she really needs someone.It soon becomes vital for Sam to have a friend who knows what has happened to her.It becomes apparent that A.J.K. is dealing with growing pains too. A.J.K. is more of the helper in their friendshi, but both characters are bonded by their need for acceptance while dealing with identity in two different capacities.
By the end of the book I was attached to both characters and both situations. Again I realized that as human beings it is in our nature to identify with whatever it is our struggles are.It is part of the human experience to get to know ourselves as we try maintain relationships. It sounds cheesy but, life gets ugly and beauty is born in all of those terrible things. Beauty is when I use my struggle with who I am to help someone else. Beauty is every awkwardly meaningful conversation. Beauty is friendship.For me beauty is in acceptance of everything I was at thirteen, everything I am and everything I will be. Every plight is different and I'm not sure that anyone else has interpreted acceptance as the message behind the meaning of Lush, but it's worth the read to find out what any individual interpretation of the book might be like.
To all you "adults" out there who feel you too are thirteen years old when you think about accepting all you have and have not overcome, I think you're beautiful and I accept you.
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