Book Review: Five Feet Apart

Two of my friends have grandchildren who battle cystic fibrosis. I knew it brings difficulty in breathing because of mucus that concentrates in the lungs. Still, I didn't know much about the disease. This young adult novel, Five Feet Apart, by Rachael Lippincott, will go far to raise awareness. The book has won several awards. It earned the Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Young Adult fiction in 2019 and the YALSA 2020 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

Crippled by perilous lungs, Stella Grant meticulously follows her regimen. She avoids any known contaminants to keep herself viable on the lung transplant list. When she encounters Will Newman at the hospital, she knows she should run the other way. Yet, she's determined to break through his callous disregard for his cystic fibrosis. All Will wants to do is unplug from all the machines and live his life with abandon. As their relationship develops, it sweeps them closer and closer emotionally, yet they must always remain six feet apart physically. With so much restricting them, they assume they can afford to steal one foot of distance from the general constraint.

This story sucks the reader in. I learned a great deal about this disease and the many challenges it presents. My heart goes out to these young people and their constant battle against lungs that betray them. The authors nailed the character development and the plot pacing. At first, I didn't care for Will. His arrogant personality, abrasive tone, and foul language turned me off. But I came around to like him. I hung on every word when Stella's life hung in the balance. The book has a somewhat happy ending, but it contains cautionary content along the way.

After finishing the book, I located the movie version (which came out in 2019). While the ending is different, I enjoyed the movie. It is a tear-jerker and tugs at the emotions more than the book. It has a positive message: take time to show your love to others with the powerful power of touch. They mention sex several times in the movie. Although, the closest Will and Stella get to this is a scene where they strip down to their underwear in front of one another. Still, parents should know of this compromising content. Apparently, a sequel for the movie is in the works. It will be called All This Time.