Book Review of I'll be Seeing You by Lurlene McDaniel
Author: Lurlene McDaniel
ISBN: 0-553-56718-7
Publisher: Bantam Skylark
Type of book: disfigurement, true love, 1990s, blindness, hospital, loyalties, ugly duckling, young adult
Year it was published: 1996
Summary:
Carley Mattea never expected to meet a boy as handsome as Kyle Westin- certainly not in the hospital. Seventeen-year-old Kyle was blinded when a chemistry experiment exploded. His doctors don't know if he'll get his vision back, and he's deeply depressed. Sixteen-year-old Carley understands how miserable it is to be in the hospital. Soon Carley and Kyle become good friends.
But Carley is keeping a secret from Kyle. She knows that boys like girls who are pretty- and she is not. Scarred by a facial deformity, she has, over the years, used her sense of humor to cope. But now that she's become so close to Kyle, she's worried that once his bandages are removed- if they are removed- and he sees her, it will be the end of their relationship. Carley wants the best for Kyle. But what will that mean for her?
Characters:
Carley is a comedian and has an interesting sense of humor. Few times when reading her observations and jokes I laughed with her. Kyle seems to be a perfect boy and the only things I know of him is that he desires to be a scientist and doesn't want to be blind for the rest of his life. There are other characters as well, such as Carley's cheerful friend, the popular and beautiful older sister and her boyfriend whom Carley dislikes. It's nice to see the characters make minute changes. They don't completely change in the novel. I feel that they're not very drawn out though.
Theme:
No matter how much of an ugly duckling you are, there will be a prince charming for you
Plot:
Third person narrative from Carley's point of view. I didn't find any inconsistencies. Carley will really tug at one's heartstrings and you'd want to root for her. I do wish that the book would have been longer because I feel its kind of short and it would have been nice to see something more between the two characters. Its a sweet novel to read and not boring at all.
Author Information:
Lurlene McDaniel began writing inspirational novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations when her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. "I saw firsthand how chronic illness affects every aspect of a person's life," she has said. "I want kids to know that while people don't get to choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond." Lurlene McDaniel's novels are hard hitting and realistic, but also leave readers with inspiration and hope. Her books have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers. Her novels Don't Die, My Love; I'll be Seeing You; and 'Till Death Do us Part have all been national bestsellers. Lurlene McDaniel lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (From inside flap)
Opinion:
I think it was my second or third Lurlene McDaniel book and boy was I happy to have a chance to read it again. It's a very sweet story, although a lot of it is of Carley conspiring to keep Kyle from finding out about her deformity. It is also of Carley learning about her sister and her sister's boyfriend. Sometimes I did get frustrated with Carley's choices in trying very hard to prevent from Kyle looking at her. But still, this will open one's eyes to the sufferings of those who are deformed and how others treat them.
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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