November 9 (Book Review)

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Type: Novel

Published: 2015

Characters: Fallon O’Neil, Benton Kessler, Amber.

 

Review:

 

All people have scars, some are visible, and some aren’t. Some people don’t want others to see their scars. Because of these flaws, they are somewhat afraid to follow their dreams. Everyone has a right to dream big. To pursue what they really feel passionate about. It shouldn’t really matter what others would think or say. The flaws are what make people unique and beautiful. November 9 by Colleen Hoover represents the same thought. It is about the main characters Fallon and Ben. Fallon has a passion for acting. She was excelling in her career but in a fire accident, she loses her outer beauty which she thinks is important for her acting career.

 

The novel starts with Fallon, meeting her father to inform him that she is moving out of town to pursue her dream for acting. Her father cruelly points out that she can’t act as she has scars, she got because of the fire accident. Ben comes to rescue her as he thinks everyone should follow their dreams no matter what others say or think. He supports Fallon in her decision. Ben made Fallon realize that she is still beautiful from inside and can follow her dream. Ben says that her scars are not a flaw but a blessing instead, as she is at least alive to see them. He helps her to build her confidence again. He made her see that her flaws are what makes her beautiful. Ben’s encouragement made Fallon pursue her dreams.

 

Ben has a dream to become a writer. They both decides to help each other pursue their dreams. Therefore, agrees to a deal that they’ll meet each other at every November 9 for the next five years. They give each other tasks regarding their goals, to do during a year and report the progress when they meet once in a year. Things go fine at first but as they meet each November 9, they discovers the reasons not to be with each other anymore despite their mutual attraction for each other. One November 9, Fallon finds out that it was Ben who actually caused the fire in which she was almost killed and got these scars. Everything seem to be a big lie for Fallon. Ben is the one who made her see that her scars are beautiful, while in fact it is he who caused it at the first place. Will Fallon be able to forgive Ben? He tries to explain his side of the story but who knows it is true? It could also be a lie like other of his lies.

 

Everyone is unique in their own way. If we were meant to be perfect, we wouldn’t be humans at the first place. The flaws are what makes us human. So instead of feeling ashamed of the flaws we have, we can appreciate it for being there. These flaws doesn’t define our worth. Instead it motivates us to prove our worth. Some of us are so busy indicating others’ flaws, they forget to see their own flaws. No matter what you do, the world will judge you. If you don’t do what they like us to do, they will judge you. If you do what they want us to do, they’ll still judge you. So why not being judged for pursuing what we are passionate about, what we want of ourselves. They’ll judge anyway. Do what you like and don’t care what others will think.

 

The novel is a simple read. Each November 9 is separated in a chapter with sub-chapters from the point of view of Fallon and Ben. Each chapter starts with Ben’s quote, foreshadowing the upcoming scenes. The language is easy and direct.

 

Recommendation:

 

·         A One-time read

·         Can add to TBR list

·         Won’t be disappointed

·         Hard to put down

·         Can read once