I have lost my way book review

I Have Lost My Way

Around the time that Freya loses her voice while recording her debut album, Harun is making plans to run away from home to find the boy that he loves, and Nathaniel is arriving in New York City after a family tragedy leaves him isolated on the outskirts of Washington state. After the three of them collide in Central Park, they slowly reveal the parts of their past that they haven’t been able to confront, and together, they find their way back to who they’re supposed to be.

Told over the course of a single day from three different perspectives, this is a story about the power of friendship and being true to who you are.

Duffy’s Thoughts On I Have Lost My Way

Gayle Forman had ridiculous success with the wildly popular If I Stay which became a box office movie. I haven’t read or seen If I Stay, but knowing Forman’s popularity, I wanted to give I Have Lost My Way a go.

Three teenagers come together in rather unexpected, and for me, completely unbelievable circumstances. The cynic in me cringed a little and the scenario in which they all came together, and the very carefully balanced diversity of the 3 main characters. I honestly thought that a) I was far too long in the tooth for this book and b) I was going to struggle to finish it.

However, the initial set up of the story aside I began to become attached to these three characters and the loss they feel for very different reasons. Although Freya was the main character, Nathaniel won my heart and there were several times I wanted to give that kid a hug and a steak dinner. His story arc, in particular, was extremely touching.  Harun and Freya are also loveable characters, but when you have such carefully created characters that all have a ‘hook’, then everyone will have a favourite.

I particularly liked the way the music industry was portrayed here, many teenagers live to be a superstar and this book gives a realistic expectation of what the industry is like, there is no sugar-coating ‘you can be a star if you believe it’ mantra here. Which brought the fantastical start back to a realistic outcome for not only Freya, but for conflicted Harun, and grief-stricken Nathaniel.

I Have Lost My Way is for ages 14 and up, and although most of my youthful spirit is gone, I have enough to connect with this book and look forward to it also becoming a movie!

3 out of 5 from me.

Available in all good bookstores from April

I have lost my way