Unbecoming (Hardcover)
Staff Reviews
This book is extraordinary! Being able to so lovingly and compassionately tell the story of coping with a loved one who has early dementia, and the effects it causes on each family member, is truly amazing. You feel the confusion, fear, anger, and wonderment of Mary, the mom/grandmther living with dementia, as well as the resentment, bitterness and anger of her grown daughter who is forced to take care of her. Granddaughter Katie is the compassionate one and is truly inspiringl Extremely well written and a MUST read for everyone! Excellent book!
— DiannePraise for Unbecoming:
A Stonewall Honor Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Bookpage Best Teen Book of the Year
Entertainment Weekly Must List pick
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize
Shortlisted for The People's Book Prize
An iBooks Best Book of the Month pick
"This beautiful rumination on the relationships between mothers and daughters should be on every woman's reading list." --Buzzfeed
"[A] beautiful, funny, and heart-breaking story of family and life itself." --Bustle
* "Her prose gets right down inside human fragility, tenderness, fury, gusto, and strength -- leaving sweet, sharp images that are impossible to forget. Exceptional." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Downham's third novel offers implicit commentary on the historical and contemporary constraints on young women's lives and their freedom to love with abandon." --Horn Book, starred review
* "Extraordinary." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "A strong choice for thoughtful readers." --School Library Journal, starred review
"Fluid, perfectly paced, and can be easily read in one sitting. This is a heartfelt book that sensitively and honestly reveals family issues, and it's one that teens won't want to miss." --Bookpage, Teen Top Pick
"This life-affirming story about a complicated family . . . is stunningly told." --The Times (UK), Children's Book of the Week
"A beautifully drawn portrait . . . hugely ambitious in its interwoven examination of sexual identity, family secrets, torn loyalties, and the life-affirming power of breaking away from suffocating conventions." --Daily Mail (UK)
"A rich and complex coming of age story." --The Guardian (UK)
"Compassionate, uncliched and involving." --Sunday Times (UK)
"Rich in detail and tone." --Telegraph (UK)
Praise for Before I Die:
*"Lucid language makes a painful journey bearable, beautiful and transcendent."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
*"The eloquent dying teen can seem a staple of the YA novel, but this British debut completely breaks the mold. Downham holds nothing back in her wrenching and exceptionally vibrant story."--Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"In luminous prose that rings completely true, Downham earns every tear she wrings from her readers. I trust there will be many of them--many readers, and of course, many tears. A-"--Entertainment Weekly
Praise for Unbecoming:A Stonewall Honor BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Bookpage Best Teen Book of the YearEntertainment Weekly Must List pickShortlisted for the YA Book PrizeShortlisted for The People's Book PrizeAn iBooks Best Book of the Month pick"This beautiful rumination on the relationships between mothers and daughters should be on every woman's reading list." --Buzzfeed"[A] beautiful, funny, and heart-breaking story of family and life itself." --Bustle* "Her prose gets right down inside human fragility, tenderness, fury, gusto, and strength -- leaving sweet, sharp images that are impossible to forget. Exceptional." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Downham's third novel offers implicit commentary on the historical and contemporary constraints on young women's lives and their freedom to love with abandon." --Horn Book, starred review* "Extraordinary." --Publishers Weekly, starred review* "A strong choice for thoughtful readers." --School Library Journal, starred review"Fluid, perfectly paced, and can be easily read in one sitting. This is a heartfelt book that sensitively and honestly reveals family issues, and it's one that teens won't want to miss." --Bookpage, Teen Top Pick"This life-affirming story about a complicated family . . . is stunningly told." --The Times (UK), Children's Book of the Week "A beautifully drawn portrait . . . hugely ambitious in its interwoven examination of sexual identity, family secrets, torn loyalties, and the life-affirming power of breaking away from suffocating conventions." --Daily Mail (UK)"A rich and complex coming of age story." --The Guardian (UK)"Compassionate, uncliched and involving." --Sunday Times (UK)"Rich in detail and tone." --Telegraph (UK)Praise for Before I Die:*"Lucid language makes a painful journey bearable, beautiful and transcendent."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review *"The eloquent dying teen can seem a staple of the YA novel, but this British debut completely breaks the mold. Downham holds nothing back in her wrenching and exceptionally vibrant story."--Publisher's Weekly, starred review "In luminous prose that rings completely true, Downham earns every tear she wrings from her readers. I trust there will be many of them--many readers, and of course, many tears. A-"--Entertainment Weekly