Where She Went by Gayle Forman #2

 

Title                      : Where She Went
Writer                     : Gayle Forman

Edition Language           : Bahasa 
Series                     : Where She Went #2
Characters                 : Adam Wilde, Mia Hall

Translator                 :  Poppy D. Chusfani

Editor                     : Dini Pandia
Publisher                  : Gramedia Pustaka Utama (July, 2012)

Paperback                  : 231 pages

ISBN                       : 978-979-22-7650-3
Rate                       : 4/5

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Instead of receiving Mia’s viewpoint (the prequel story), Where She Went is told through Adam’s viewpoint (past and present). It is just takes place several years after If I Stay. It’s set in NYC. Mia is a famous cellist. Adam is a rock star. They’ve broken up in the years between If I Stay and Where She Went. The reason is given in the book and totally not a cop out, either. Anyways, Adam’s not satisfied with his life, even though he has it all, money, a hot girlfriend, and fame. You see, he’s totally living that ‘the girl who got away’ situation. Right, so the majority of Where She Went takes place in one day and it’s completely fantastic.

"The clothes are packed off to Goodwill. I said my goodbyes up on that hill. The house is empty, the furniture sold. Soon your smells will decay to mold. Don’t know why I bother calling, ain’t nobody answering. Don’t know why I bother singing, ain’t nobody listening."
(Disconnect - Collateral Damage, Track 10, page 85)

Then, I label Adam Wilde a.k.a Wilde Man as "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" in this novel. He is genuine and still the fabulous guy from If I Stay. But, fame and breaking up with Mia has hardened him. Yet, we see how he becomes a completely different person around Mia, when he reunites with her after not seeing her for years. And I love that, because it is authentic. Plenty of us become different people from our public places when we are around those close to us, those who know our essential selves. I loved that Adam is still carrying the torch.

And Mia, she’s wonderful, heartbreaking and still passionate about classical music.

This novel is not really sad at all, but it is about how life has a funny way of working out and the people we carry in our hearts are always truly a part of us, whether they are in our lives or not.

“I needed to hate someone and you’re the one I love the most, so it fell on you.” (Mia Hall to Adam Wilde, page 207)

If I Stay sneak peek (source : as tagged)