The back cover describes Our Chemical Hearts as a "heartbreaking tale of bittersweet first love". And it is exactly that. That tag may sound a little trite but this is an intelligent novel with real characters and excellent writing.
The deep friendships and love central to Krystal Sutherland's novel are between American teenagers in high school but the story's appeal is much wider. The enigmatic Grace is a newcomer and Henry falls for her. I didn't have any sense of trying to guess where the plot would take me as the ride was so comfortable, giving long views of small-town Middle America laced with wicked humour and a gradual understanding of the subtleties of both Grace and Henry.
The beautiful cover and mysterious title take their place in the story and eventually the whole novel is quite beautifully complete and satisfying.
The deep friendships and love central to Krystal Sutherland's novel are between American teenagers in high school but the story's appeal is much wider. The enigmatic Grace is a newcomer and Henry falls for her. I didn't have any sense of trying to guess where the plot would take me as the ride was so comfortable, giving long views of small-town Middle America laced with wicked humour and a gradual understanding of the subtleties of both Grace and Henry.
The beautiful cover and mysterious title take their place in the story and eventually the whole novel is quite beautifully complete and satisfying.