Tag: cethan leahy

For Adam Murphy, transitioning back to “normal” after a suicide attempt is made even more difficult by the fact that he’s being haunted by a ghostly version of himself. Adam has to reintegrate back into the life of a teenager and all it entails – school, making friends, budding romance – with this ghost that nobody else can see or hear at his shoulder. It becomes increasingly difficult to tell if its presence is good or bad, but it certainly makes life more complicated for Adam.

Told through the perspective of the ghost, Leahy tells an increasingly important story about mental health with a voice that is humorous but which never trivialises. He fleshes out his tale with a colourful cast of characters – particular joys are the irreverent Douglas and quirky goth, Aoife – who are delightful even if they tend to outshine his protagonist. Bursting with empathy, Adam (and the reader) learn that everyone has their own struggles, but this doesn’t diminish your own. The ghost’s narrative voice is a wonderful addition; it distances readers with familiar topics, allowing for a new perspective, be that on mental health or the ridiculousness teenagers can get up to.

Leahy’s light touch successfully brings this coming-of-age story together. The familiar threads of school struggles and first loves are freshened with his depiction of mental health and the rocky road of recovery – not to mention his strong dash of comedy and the paranormal. An incredibly clever book which I very much enjoyed.

Aoife Sheehan