'13 Reasons' author addresses controversy surrounding book, series
Asher says book was inspired by close family member’s struggle
Author Jay Asher told the audience at Brunswick High School’s Performing Arts Center last week that his bestselling novel, “13 Reasons Why,” was inspired by a family member’s struggle with suicidal thoughts and took him 12 years to write. Submitted photo
BRUNSWICK – Last spring, parents nationwide, including those right here in Brunswick, were asked to hold frank discussions with their teenagers regarding suicide after “13 Reasons Why,” a 13-episode series released on Netflix, became one of the most popular shows on television amongst the teen and pre-teen crowd.
Six months later, the man who inspired that television show made an appearance in Brunswick, sponsored by the Medina County District Library, to not only talk about the show and his book that inspired the series, but also to address the controversy which, he hopes, inspired people to reach out.
Author Jay Asher fielded questions from both parents and teens alike at the Brunswick Performing Arts Center Sept. 6 and among them was a question regarding the Brunswick City School District’s decision to send out a notice regarding the television show in April.
As part of that notice, Superintended Michael Mayell encouraged parents to talk with their children about suicide and reminded parents that the series could have triggered suicide among students who were already struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
“The controversy (around the show) can be frustrating because people are so uncomfortable to talk about it, but it also could make someone empowered to reach out,” Asher told the crowd. “It makes the conversations easier because it’s hard to bring it up out of the blue. And if it’s a personal experience, it’s usually too late.”
Released in 2007, “13 Reasons Why” became a novel that spoke to millions. Telling the story of Hannah, a young woman whose suicide is slowly made sense of via a series of tapes sent to a classmate, the novel offered a realistic and at times scary look at suicide, rape and bullying, and how sometimes a tragic event isn’t spawned by a single action, but multiple ones.
The book recently hit No. 1 on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Asher said the book was inspired by a close relative who attempted to commit suicide at the same age as Hannah. He said he spent three years writing the novel and, after being rejected by 12 publishers, the book was published in 2007.
“I was able to talk to (my close relative), and it shaped my understanding of what she went through,” Asher said. “Like Hannah Baker, she also didn’t think anyone around her truly, deeply cared.”
The Netflix series based on the novel was released March 31.
Asher addressed the controversy behind the content of the TV show and his novel and told the audience his book once was the third most-challenged book in the U.S. It was also banned by several libraries and teachers.
“It’s important for teens to know about these important topics and that there are adults not afraid to engage these conversations,” Asher said. “It hurt me personally when people would say my book was irresponsible. It made me angry for readers because there’s a stigma with suicide. We don’t know how to talk about it so we don’t want to talk about it.”
Asher said he’s also had people reach out to him after they’ve read the book or watched the Netflix show.
“I’ve had people tell me that my story was the first time they felt understood,” he said. “As an author I was honored, but I felt sad for them.”
He shared four email excerpts with the audience and Asher said each comment showed readers can get a different message from the book based on who they are and what they are going through in their own lives at the time.
“We don’t know what goes on in everyone’s lives but our own,” he reminded the audience.
Six months later, the man who inspired that television show made an appearance in Brunswick, sponsored by the Medina County District Library, to not only talk about the show and his book that inspired the series, but also to address the controversy which, he hopes, inspired people to reach out.
Author Jay Asher fielded questions from both parents and teens alike at the Brunswick Performing Arts Center Sept. 6 and among them was a question regarding the Brunswick City School District’s decision to send out a notice regarding the television show in April.
As part of that notice, Superintended Michael Mayell encouraged parents to talk with their children about suicide and reminded parents that the series could have triggered suicide among students who were already struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
“The controversy (around the show) can be frustrating because people are so uncomfortable to talk about it, but it also could make someone empowered to reach out,” Asher told the crowd. “It makes the conversations easier because it’s hard to bring it up out of the blue. And if it’s a personal experience, it’s usually too late.”
Released in 2007, “13 Reasons Why” became a novel that spoke to millions. Telling the story of Hannah, a young woman whose suicide is slowly made sense of via a series of tapes sent to a classmate, the novel offered a realistic and at times scary look at suicide, rape and bullying, and how sometimes a tragic event isn’t spawned by a single action, but multiple ones.
The book recently hit No. 1 on the USA Today bestsellers list.
Asher said the book was inspired by a close relative who attempted to commit suicide at the same age as Hannah. He said he spent three years writing the novel and, after being rejected by 12 publishers, the book was published in 2007.
“I was able to talk to (my close relative), and it shaped my understanding of what she went through,” Asher said. “Like Hannah Baker, she also didn’t think anyone around her truly, deeply cared.”
The Netflix series based on the novel was released March 31.
Asher addressed the controversy behind the content of the TV show and his novel and told the audience his book once was the third most-challenged book in the U.S. It was also banned by several libraries and teachers.
“It’s important for teens to know about these important topics and that there are adults not afraid to engage these conversations,” Asher said. “It hurt me personally when people would say my book was irresponsible. It made me angry for readers because there’s a stigma with suicide. We don’t know how to talk about it so we don’t want to talk about it.”
Asher said he’s also had people reach out to him after they’ve read the book or watched the Netflix show.
“I’ve had people tell me that my story was the first time they felt understood,” he said. “As an author I was honored, but I felt sad for them.”
He shared four email excerpts with the audience and Asher said each comment showed readers can get a different message from the book based on who they are and what they are going through in their own lives at the time.
“We don’t know what goes on in everyone’s lives but our own,” he reminded the audience.