It's about time that someone wrote a YA novel about possibly the most important event of our generation, and who better to write it than the multitalented David Levithan? LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is beautiful without being cloying, and wrings at the heart without resorting to theatrics. The subtle power of it is something that only a master writer can accomplish.
What struck me most about the book is its language. Each character has a distinct voice and different ways of approaching the same event and its consequences. All three, however, are capable of tremendous insight, and you'll find it hard to resist writing down the quotable slivers of wisdom that can be found on nearly every page. Claire, Peter, and Jasper work well as individuals, but their interactions are slightly shaky and sudden. I prefer the characters when they're in their own heads, and am slightly skeptical of some character-to-character interaction. However, I'm willing to overlook specific moments of reader's discomfort because of the beautiful writing, and because of the book's message that love and connection is what keeps the world turning, even after you believe it can't anymore.
LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is the kind of book you'll want to keep forever, to go back to for reaffirmations of the kind of goodness that humanity is capable of. I'm sure that Levithan's writing career is far from over, but I'm willing to say that this book may be his best one so far. It's a great way for teens to approach the conflicting emotions surrounding this unforgettable date.
What struck me most about the book is its language. Each character has a distinct voice and different ways of approaching the same event and its consequences. All three, however, are capable of tremendous insight, and you'll find it hard to resist writing down the quotable slivers of wisdom that can be found on nearly every page. Claire, Peter, and Jasper work well as individuals, but their interactions are slightly shaky and sudden. I prefer the characters when they're in their own heads, and am slightly skeptical of some character-to-character interaction. However, I'm willing to overlook specific moments of reader's discomfort because of the beautiful writing, and because of the book's message that love and connection is what keeps the world turning, even after you believe it can't anymore.
LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW is the kind of book you'll want to keep forever, to go back to for reaffirmations of the kind of goodness that humanity is capable of. I'm sure that Levithan's writing career is far from over, but I'm willing to say that this book may be his best one so far. It's a great way for teens to approach the conflicting emotions surrounding this unforgettable date.
