Setting
An indistinct suburb sets the stage for this tale. Halley and Scarlett find themselves in Lakeview, cheerfully dubbed a "Neighborhood of Friends"—or more cynically, "fiends" as the local youth mischievously alter the sign. The suburb's most notable feature is the bustling airport three miles away, ensuring a steady parade of airplanes soaring above their rooftops.
This could be any middle-class haven. Halley and Scarlett earn their keep at Milton's Market, the grocery store nestled within the mall just a stone's throw away. Their days are spent navigating the usual high school chaos where counselors bungle up schedules; they escape to the lake for picnics and various leisurely pursuits. They dive into budding romances both within school boundaries and beyond. Fast food and mall shopping are their familiar haunts, spoken in accents as nondescript as their setting.
Though no specific year anchors the narrative, Halley reminisces about watching Halley's Comet with her grandmother during the winter of her sixth year. Considering Halley celebrates her sixteenth birthday within the story's pages, it places the events around 1996.
Thus, the setting serves merely as a backdrop to the unfolding drama, enhancing its universal resonance. The experiences of Halley and Scarlett transcend time and location, capturing the essence of any teenage girl's journey.
Literary Qualities
In Someone Like You, Dessen crafts a narrative that unfolds through the candid lens of Halley's first-person perspective. The story, easily digestible in its straightforward delivery, is peppered with flashbacks that enrich the narrative tapestry with glimpses into Scarlett and Halley's past, their enduring camaraderie, and the pivotal events that shaped their lives. These backward glances offer clarity on Halley's journey with her parents, Scarlett's adventures in her absence, the genesis of their friendship, the struggles with Scarlett's mother, and Halley's bond with her grandmother. The storyline predominantly progresses from the moment of Scarlett's urgent call to Halley following Michael's death and culminates with the arrival of baby Grace. Dessen's technique of foreshadowing is subtly woven but tends to spotlight predictable outcomes, such as Scarlett's decision against abortion and Halley's adventures with Macon.
Interwoven Plot and Theme
The novel intricately weaves plot and theme, spinning a tale of friendship that not only survives adversity but emerges fortified. It explores the dynamics of a platonic bond between a boy and a girl, standing apart from romantic entanglements. Moreover, it delves into the essence of true friendship, contrasted starkly by the judgmental attitudes from their classmates toward Scarlett's pregnancy and Halley's relationship with Macon. Mother-daughter relationships are woven deeply into the fabric of the narrative, showcasing a spectrum of emotions—from joy and conflict to fragile peace and evolving dynamics—that drive the story forward. The choices that shape nascent boy-girl relationships further propel the narrative, with Dessen deftly avoiding preachiness while illustrating the outcomes of both prudent and misguided decisions.
The Subtle Role of Symbolism
Symbolism in this coming-of-age saga is understated yet poignant, embodied in the naming of Halley's child. In Christian theology, grace signifies an unearned, generous blessing. Baby Grace emerges as a symbol, fortifying an already resilient friendship, mending fractured mother-daughter bonds, and ushering in newfound maturity, aspirations, and dreams for both Scarlett and Halley. This child becomes a cherished gift, warmly embraced by all.
For Further Reference
November, Sharyn. "I'm Not a Teenager—I Just Read Like One." The Horn Book Magazine 74:6 (1998): 775-780. Delves into a unique approach by a publishing house that actively seeks the voices of middle schoolers, spotlighting Dessen's novel as a standout example.
Richmond, Gail. Review of Someone Like You. School Library Journal 44:8 (1998): 143. A succinct and glowing assessment.
Rochman, Hazel. Review of Someone Like You. Booklist 94:19/20 (1998): 1745-1746. A brief yet enthusiastic review by a luminary in the realm of young adult literature. Vasilakis, Nancy. Review of Someone Like You. Horn Book Magazine 74:4 (1998): 486. A more detailed and affirmative critique.
RELATED WEBSITES
"An Interview with Sarah Dessen." In Dream/Girl Magazine: the Arts Magazine for Girls.Full interview online with Sarah Dessen.
Taylor, Art. "Native Daughter: 10 Questions with Novelist and Teacher Sarah Dessen." Spectator Online,Insightful Q&A with Dessen.
