Kelly
Written on Apr 1, 2015
Weightless was dark, confronting and enthralling read, where the reader is told Carolyn's story via a group of unnamed girls. They gossip, speculate and form their story and opinions on hearsay, making for a dangerous and disturbing read. Carolyn in the new girl in a small town where no one ever moves to. All they have is their appearances and prayer, rallying behind their local football team where the boys never do no wrong. They all attend church, where sermons are delivered warning against drinking, drug abuse and having loose morals are seen as a way to expel yourself from heaven. Where the minister's daughter smiles, the good girl who is dating the football champion and a vision of pure young adults that all teens should strive to emulate.
But behind the smiles and country festivals lies a destructive community, where gossip reigns free and hypocrites never practice what they preach. Then Carolyn arrives. Carolyn is beautiful, intelligent and exotic. Wearing the latest designer threads, silky hair and dewy skin, girls flock to be her friend, increasing their own popularity by just being in her orbit. So naturally the former queen of Adams High sets her sights on the new girl, after all, she's just taken her boyfriend, her status and her life. Brooke is a vengeful and dangerous girl, determined to destroy Carolyn and her reputation in order to become the golden girl of Adamsville once more.
Weightless was a realistic and remarkable story of extreme bullying, and by a town who aided in one innocent girls demise. Incredibly unique, the reader is given a recount of what happened from the moment Carolyn arrived in town, by a group of teen girls who aided in the gossip and innuendo surround Carolyn's life, leaving the reader powerless to alter the outcome. I was completely immersed within the storyline, intrigued, disgusted, appalled and angry. The very real and raw portrayal about the power we have to change just one life through our actions, or inaction in Carolyn's case. Seeing the once bright and friendly girl fade away was absolutely heartbreaking, and often left me feeling physically ill.
Carolyn was let down by everyone who turned a blind eye, especially the young group of girls who narrate Carolyn's story. So naive but hardly innocent, these collective group of girls would listen in on conversations and then dissect it at length, often relaying information in the hope to make themselves more popular. A small snapshot of Carolyn's life, then posted for the world to see. They added fuel to the fire at every opportunity, so enamored with the girl that they ultimately played a major role in her demise.
We were busy with our own stuff and, plus, there were things she just should have known.
And the chatter got louder and louder and the texts came more and more often. She should have really quit while she was ahead. Carolyn, that is.
Later, we talked about how we could have said something, could have told a teacher or our parents, or flushed the toilet or coughed or cleared our throats. But we didn't do anything. And we didn't say anything. It wasn't our business. Not really.
I was seething. This group of girls made it their business. They listened to gossip, they passed judgement. They fanned the lies in order for the fire to spread, then washed their hands at their involvement.
Sarah Bannan is a phenomenal author. A storyline that needs to be told and a book that demands to be read. If you've ever been a perpetrator, an enabler or someone that has turned a blind eye to bullying, take note. Carolyn's story may be fictional, but in our schools, workplaces and online, this happens all too often. It only takes one person to take a stand and make a difference. Bullying destroys lives, and by not taking action you're as simply guilty as the perpetrators.