Philippa Bodenstein reviews Jade’s Story by Helena Pielichaty (OUP, R54.99)
Jade’s Story is truly an amazing book. Jade, a well-behaved student, has many supportive friends, a father who owns a stationery shop and a working mother. Her life seems so perfect — until her father has an emotional breakdown. He always seems to embarrass her in front of her friends and Jade never knows how to react. He doesn’t hug her any more or give her any attention. Jade doesn’t think things can get any worse until one terrifying afternoon. Before Jade’s father is carted off to the hospital, she finds him in the middle of the road with stationery scattered all around him, holding up the traffic.
Very soon she starts to discover disturbing things about her past. Jade is terrified and doesn’t feel she can turn to anyone. But when her mother and Jade rent a little cottage nearer to the hospital, she finds warmth and happiness in a true friend who is in the same boat as she is.
In this phenomenal book you will find true friendship, secrets and new discoveries. I found this book brilliant — it’s a pity it ever had to end.