How Many Letters Are In Goodbye?

by Yvonne Cassidy

Rhea Farrell carries the scars of a childhood accident in which she lost her arm. But she also carries scars from the loss of her mother, her father's drinking, and her confusion around her sexuality. Running away to New York, she turns to her mother through letters. I'm crying again, Mum. I'm crying because I don't know how many letters I have to write to say goodbye to you. More than anything, I wish I knew. Seventeen-year-old Rhea Farrell has scars from a childhood accident in which she lost her arm. But she also carries scars that aren't so visible the loss of a mother she hardly remembers, the impact of her father's drinking, and her confusion and pain around accepting her sexuality. When Rhea runs away, she turns to the person she's always wished she could confide in: her mother. And just like she used to do as a little girl, Rhea starts to write her letters to tell her things she can't tell anyone else, to share her fears, to ask for help. Rhea's journey on the streets of New York brings her deeper into her mother's past, where she uncovers buried family secrets. And as she finds out more about the woman her mother truly was, Rhea also discovers just what kind of woman she wants to be. AGES: 12 to 18 AUTHOR: Yvonne Cassidy is an Irish author who has written three novels, including How Many Letters Are in Goodbye. When she's not writing, Yvonne works at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and uses her writing skills for fundraising and teaching creative writing.

• ISBN13: 9780738747453
• Publish Date: 8 March 2016 (first published 5 June 2014)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 7 July 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Flux
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelly]

3.5 Stars.
How Many Letters Are In Goodbye was an emotional and poignant read, so why did I feel so disconnected? Rhea was a formidable character, her past experiences have left her with a genuine likability but it felt as though the length of the storyline allowed her story to lose impact. It begins with Rhea in New York, having fled her aunts new house in Florida where the two moved in with her aunts boyfriend and his teenage daughter, the popular and sullen Laurie. Herein lies my issue. I don't often speak of characters with such disdain but Laurie's character made me livid or perhaps it's how she was portrayed. Although Rhea is gay, Laurie is unsure of her sexuality and wants to explore. I still believe Laurie could have been used as a tool for teens to relate to that feeling of finding your sexual identity, but it felt as though it was sinister and manipulative sadly. Had the concept been explored in positive light rather than just a secretive fling, my attitude towards How Many Letters In Goodbye may have been significantly different.

Yvonne Cassidy should be applauded for broaching what are generally confronting points of discussion. Abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness and prostitution. The loss of Rhea's arm at a young age felt as though it had very little impact. She was able, but was discriminated against by others especially when seeking employment. Her friendship with Sergei felt like little more than convenience, another body on the street who could provide her with a sense of safety and normalcy from what seemed to be out of obligation.

The storyline begins in the year 1999 and takes place over a few months. I'm assuming that may have been the period of Yvonne Cassidy's teen years as there doesn't seem to be any other explanation as to why, only that perhaps she felt it was more authentic. I did enjoy Rhea's recovery and that to heal she understood the need for professional help when dealing with her loss and the secrets she uncovers surrounding her mothers death, rather than the quick fix solutions so many young adult titles generally offer the reader. The most appealing aspect of How Many Letters Are In Goodbye is that is was messy. The moments of reflection and solitude, then and engaging and almost frantic page turner that unveils Rhea's story slowly.

But it was too long and the brutal nature of the storyline lost impact with me. Rhea's life on the streets seemed to rehash the same descriptive nature of being homeless, bloating the storyline and lacking that emotional connection sadly. It held promise, but unfortunately the length and lack of connection with it's characters made for a long and often rambling read.
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