Becoming Chloe, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Thursday March 5th 2015

Becoming Chloe, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Thursday March 5th 2015

I struggled to finish Catherine Ryan Hyde's "Becoming Chloe", not for the story but for what was happening in my life.  The story was so confronting and when there are moments of hopefulness, these would bring us crashing down to reality again.

I had to have surgery in December and this was to be the third time I was to encounter this same surgery.  This time it was elective surgery before things got worse, so at least I had some control.  But I was scared, as the first time was in 1988, then the last time in 1999 I nearly died as it was emergency surgery.

I began 'Becoming Chloe" a few days before my surgery and then picked it up again a few days after my surgery  In "Becoming Chloe" we encounter the struggles of the young and naïve Chloe with her gay friend Jordy.  Both are homeless.  Not that I am homeless but it was so haunting to see how these young people would live on life's knife edge.  I found it too confronting as it mirrored my recent fears.

Then on Decmber 28th 2014 my brother died in his sleep after being ill for 38 years.  When I picked up "Becoming Chloe" again there was a death scene within a few pages and I could not cope.  I struggled to get back into the novel.  I needed to gain some semblance of normality back into my own life before I could venture through their journey.

Why is this relevant? Catherine Ryan Hyde speaks so honestly and truthfully with these characters that she creates a stark reality.  Sometimes facing our own fears and seeking beauty in the world can be so difficult during our dark periods of our own lives.  To learn to see the beauty of the world during these harsh or dark periods can also be healing.

I had to finish this book and by doing so I realised that Catherine Ryan Hyde was also telling my story of looking for hope during difficult periods.  Facing the harsh realities of life and also learning to "....pick ourselves up, pat ourselves down and start all over again" as per a song.

The journey across America is a symbol of so many treks, or road movies or journeys that we all take with little or no resources.  Our main resource is our own will, determination, and resilience.  This becomes our capacity to survive.  Not only survive but thrive.

Catherine Ryan Hyde speaks from the young Jordy as a narrator who learns to see the world through Chloe's eyes.  As she does through his eyes.

We meet various characters along the journey who are snapshots in their young lives.  Influential and momentary and full of impact.

I cannot say that I enjoyed this book as it was far too emotional for me to read.  Yes a struggle as I was dealing with my issues.  Catherine Ryan Hyde sometimes had me choking back tears with a succinct line or a phrase which was relevant to me.  I will not quote any of these lines as it would steal her thunder.

I can thoroughly recommend "Becoming Chloe" for many reasons: respect of self and others, gratitude, perception, forgiveness, friendship, hope and humanity.  There are so many wonderful threads in this book that co-exist.  Her writing is succinct and many threads fade away rather than having a conclusion to Jordy and Chloe's interactions.  It is life .... as things do just meander along at times. They meet people with a reason and learn about the good and bad aspects of humanity.  They learn about the half glass full or empty theory via their experiences.

If and when you choose to read "Becoming Chloe" do persavere and relish that it may bring up your personal feelings.  I am so glad that I read this book, not as a journey of discovery but as a confirmation of humanity and gratitude.