The Way I Used to Be
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith is a poignant debut novel published by Simon and Schuster on March 22, 2016. This first edition, comprising 367 pages, presents the story of Eden, a young woman whose life is irrevocably altered after a traumatic event. As she navigates the complexities of high school, Eden grapples with her emotions and the challenges of adolescence, struggling to reconcile her past with her present.
Readers will find a narrative that unfolds over four parts, detailing Eden’s journey through her freshman to senior years. The book explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the intricacies of young adulthood, including the impact of sexual abuse and the process of healing. Through Eden’s experiences, the novel addresses the deep emotional scars left by violence and the strength required to confront them, ultimately revealing a powerful story of survival and self-discovery.
Official synopsis Publisher
A New York Times bestseller!
In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel shares the unforgettable story of a young woman as she struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault.
Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes.
What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be.
Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year—this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. But it also demonstrates one young woman’s strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, and while learning to embrace a power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart.
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