The dedication relating to A Thousand boy kisses reads: “For believers in true, epic, soul-shattering love. This one’s for you.” The story of Rune and Poppy was just that, heart wrenching to the point that tears got the better of me. I guess it was self-inflicted red and swollen eyes, as reviews warned that your heart would break. My husband fails to understand why I would choose to read a novel about a teenager dying way too soon. I am not even sure myself.
It reminds, to an extent, of The fault in our stars, but the attitude of the main character is quite different. The traces of humour in the face of tragedy, that marked the writing of John Green, is missing here. Although Poppy is positive, loving hard and living life to the fullest with the time granted, she is serious about relationships, life hereafter and the power of dreaming. “Why don’t we look at the person we love the most like it’s the last time we will ever see them? Because if we did, life would be so vibrant. Life would be so truly and completely lived.” (p.148)
The plot is sentimental, filled with kisses and special moments. But it carries a strong message about issues like regrets, managing anger, forgiveness and loss.
The Epilogue was most unexpected, and possibly paved the way for a new novel, A Thousand broken pieces, that was just released by Penguin Random House, although years passed since A Thousand boy kisses was published in 2016. As soon as I manage to catch my breath, I would like to read the new book.
