“We are Okay” is an incredibly written, Printz award-winning book by Nina LaCour. After a tragic loss, Marin has not spoken to anyone from her past life and is instead living at university in New York, many miles away from home. However, since she has no family to return to, she is forced to spend her Christmas break alone on campus, or at least mostly alone. Her best friend from home visits her for a few days, but Marin doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it, not because she doesn’t like her friend anymore, but because she is afraid to confront her past and the shocking discoveries she made before leaving. What Marin actually planned to be a quick, three day visit, becomes a conflicted, but also emotional journey for both of the two friends.
In these three days, Marin is forced to confront her fears and open up to the people she was once so close to. “We are Okay” tells a heart-wrenching yet realistic story of grief, heartbreak, and loneliness but conveys, as the title says, hope that everything will be “okay” even in the seemingly darkest moments. It shows that grief is just a point in the story and does not have to control one’s entire life.
“We Are Okay” is a brilliantly written book that excels at describing feelings and thoughts in a particularly authentic and raw way, allowing readers to truly empathize with the main character, making the book even more compelling. The story is written in the first person’s view from the perspective of the protagonist, Marin, and is narrated in two alternating timelines – one in the present and the other in the past before Marin’s tragic loss. This allows readers to understand Marin’s internal turmoil and helps them understand her actions. The main story unfolds within the few days when Mabel visits Marin, making the book special not necessarily for its “exciting plot” but for its sensitivity and the emotional journey of the characters.
Without spoiling the story, it’s worth mentioning that the book has a beautifully rounded ending, which is often a weak point in many books, as it can feel rushed and forced. However, Nina LaCour has excellently given the story a satisfying, but at the same time logical ending, which is indeed not an easy task.
For me, the story is like a little piece of art because the author has managed to write a profound and captivating book without relying too much on the action part of the plot. I highly recommend this book to any YA fan, although I would advise having a packet of tissues nearby while reading.