Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why
Cover
AuthorJay Asher
Audio read byDebra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone
Cover artistChristian Fuenfhausen
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult
PublisherRazorBill
Publication date
October 18, 2007
Publication placeUnited States of America
Media typePrint (hardback)
Pages288
ISBN978-1-59514-188-0
OCLC85622684
LC ClassPZ7.A8155 Th 2008

Thirteen Reasons Why (stylized as TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY) is a young adult novel written by Jay Asher in 2007, which follows the story of Hannah Baker, a high school freshman, and the thirteen reasons why she has died by suicide.[1] Following her death, Hannah leaves behind a series of seven double-sided cassette tapes detailing the thirteen specific people and events that she blames for her demise.[1] Two weeks after her death, these cassette tapes are mailed out with directions to pass the tapes on to the next person on the tape.[1] Hannah's life story is conveyed through these tapes, which are narrated by Hannah herself, and through the point of view of Clay, her classmate and the ninth person to receive the tapes.[1] The inspiration behind the main character, Hannah Baker, comes from author Jay Asher's close relative who attempted suicide.[2]

Since the novel's publication in 2007, Thirteen Reasons Why has received much recognition.[1] As of 2014, Thirteen Reasons Why had been a New York Times bestseller for over three years and published in multiple countries.[3] The novel's success has also been met with backlash, becoming the third-most banned book in the United States between 2010 and 2019.[4] Additionally, in March 2017, a Netflix original series based on the book was released.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Jay Asher's 13 Reasons Why talks of suicide". Daily Times. 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  2. ^ a b Gillis, Bryan (2011). "Interview With Jay Asher". Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy. 54 (5): 543–545 – via JSTOR.
  3. ^ Thorsen, Leah (11 October 2014). "Festus High doesn't shy away from controversial book". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  4. ^ American Library Association (2020-09-09). "Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books: 2010-2019". Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. Retrieved 2021-03-06.