Healing

One of the most prominent themes in the novel is that of the ability of human beings to heal from emotional trauma. In the novel, almost every character is hurting as a result of the suicide of a young teenage girl named Ingrid. her best friend, Caitlin, is wracked with guilt, anger, frustration, and a complete lack of understanding that at first makes it difficult to move forward. Caitlin's parents, too, are suffering as they watch their daughter fight with such emotional turmoil. Ingrid's old teacher, Veena Delani, struggles with her own guilt at not seeing how deep her student was hurting, and she therefore struggles to continue her relationships with her existing students. Friends Taylor and Jayson struggle with their own feelings about Ingrid's death, while Taylor also struggles to understand his new girlfriend, Caitlin, and her emotional turmoil. New friend Dylan also struggles, as she wants...