SUICIDE IN CONTEMPORARY YOUNG ADULT FICTION
SUICIDE IN CONTEMPORARY YOUNG ADULT FICTION

Summary/Abstract: Adolescent literature has witnessed a long-standing fascination with the portrayal of suicide, which has significantly intensified following the release of Jay Asher's novel Thirteen Reasons Why in 2007. Modern-day publications have delved into the subject of suicide from various angles, including the aftermath of suicide for those left behind. While many of these type of works offer valuable insight to teenagers grappling with suicidal ideation or seeking to comprehend the impulses of those who entertain suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide, some books may prove detrimental to susceptible readers, owing to the age of the target audience. This paper aims to examine the advantages and difficulties associated with addressing this intricate subject for adolescent readers and assesses some of the existing literature to establish the qualities that render some novels effective and others potentially harmful. Specifically, the study explores the techniques that authors employ to communicate this sensitive theme, including the assessment of characters, structure, and language in a range of novels that deal with suicide in diverse ways.

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