Shine by Lauren Myracle

Review by Mrs. Kris Flood

How is it that human beings can be so cruel to one another? What drives someone to act out so violently just because someone else is different? Reading the back cover of Lauren Myracle's Shine brought these questions to mind.

Synopsis

The novel opens with a newspaper clipping, "stunned residents of Black Creek, North Carolina, pray for seventeen-year-old Patrick Truman, beaten and left for dead outside the convenience store where he works." The article goes on to describe the abuse Patrick suffered, clearly the victim of a hate crime.

Shine is narrated by Cat, who feels guilt for not having been a better friend to Patrick and anger at the abuse he has suffered. Unhappy with the local police investigation, Cat decides to investigate and to bring justice to Patrick, who lies unconscious in the hospital.

Praise

Myracle is a master storyteller with insight into human behavior. In flashback, Cat describes a particularly terrible instance of bullying that took place on the first day of high school. Patrick is pushed into the boy's bathroom and tormented by some of the school jocks. Instead of helping, Cat turns away, afraid if she stands up for him, she will also become a victim. Those are the kinds of choices we are faced with every day. How many times have you turned a blind eye to something because it was easier than getting involved? We all know what the right thing to do is, but sometimes are unable to speak up for fear of drawing attention to ourselves.

Myracle is also able to create beautiful or terrifying pictures with her words. Through her use of imagery, she draws readers into the scene and set the mood. "Patrick's house was a ghost, dust coated the windows, the petunias in the flower boxes bowed their heads, and spiderwebs clotted the eaves of the porch. Once I might have marveled at the webs--how delicate they were, how intricate--but today I saw ghastly silk ropes." These first lines of chapter let readers feel the pain Cat is feeling--a house that once was beautiful and full of life is now empty and somber, symbolic of both Cat and Patrick.

Critique

I really do not have any critiques for this book. However, if you are uncomfortable with the reality and language of prejudice be emotionally prepared for an intense experience. To say Shine haunted me would be an understatement; I struggled to write this review hoping to do justice to the book.

And Finally…

The story is both tragic and inspirational and is one that needs to be read. Parents, kids, teachers, everyone needs to read this book--the story is too important not to be heard. After reading Cat's tale, you will see the world differently, you will be different yourself.