Tearing Myself Together

This new contemporary novel is set in Queensland, Australia. It centres on a group of Year 12 students, in their last year of high school, at exam time, wondering about their futures. The story is told in the first person through Hilzy’s eyes. She has a lot on her plate: an absentee Mum with a gambling problem, no Dad, exams, she’s just lost her job, and she is neurodivergent and suffers from a chronic but sometimes invisible illness, EDS. Max, her older sister, and Hilzy are struggling to buy food and pay medical bills, so their best friend, Imogen, rats them out to child services. The close-knit friendship they enjoyed is over. Trust is gone.

Whately’s writing draws the reader in with the variety of authentic characters. Hilzy suffers, but she has grit and determination. Whately’s depiction of Hilzy is honest and empathetic, especially with her guilt for needing help and being the reason for mounting medical bills. Max does her best to care for Hilzy and work extra shifts. Imogen has melanoma and needs more major surgery.

A crisis occurs when Hilzy’s knee locks up, and she needs to be hospitalised, missing some key exams. Added interest in the story comes when Dawn reveals she’s had a crush on Hilzy and a tender romance blossoms, falters and is reignited.

This novel is an emotional roller coaster as these teenagers navigate friendships and reconciliation, budding romances and planning schoolies. I would recommend this novel to any high schooler who is suffering from a chronic illness, knows someone who is, or is neurodivergent.