Sing Me to Sleep - Angela Morrison

Sing Me to Sleep - Angela Morrison

Pages: 301 (ARC)
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 4th March 2010

Other titles by this Author: Taken by Storm

Beth has always been “The Beast” - that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Who could love a beast? Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover of a lifetime. Suddenly, everyone wants a piece of Beth.

Things only get better when her choir travels to Switzerland and Beth meets the mysterious Derek. They have an incredible whirlwind affair that makes Beth realise, for the first time, she too can find love. She’s no longer The Beast. In Derek’s eyes, she’s a beauty. But then Scott makes a heartbreaking confession to Beth that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, passionate feelings she has for Derek?

And there’s an even bigger problem: Derek’s got a secret…one that could shatter everything.

I’ve put off writing my review for Sing Me to Sleep for quite a while as it’s hard to articulate my thoughts about such a complex and emotional novel.

Sing Me to Sleep packs an immediate punch with the brutal treatment Beth receives from her peers. I was horrified by the names, the pranks, the taunts and the whispers that she endured every day. Her strength while dealing with her tormentors - who she called the Horsemen of the Apocalypse - was so admirable that I was literally in awe of her, even with her constant disbelief in herself.

But there’s so much more to this novel than bullying. A beautiful, choppy, almost stream-of-consciousness narrative passionately conveys Beth’s innate love of music and her undeniable talent. Her intrinsic connection with melody and lyrics are reflected in the songs and song fragments that are scattered throughout the novel. As someone who doesn’t have a musical bone in my body, I love reading about characters who have a love that’s so unreachable for me.

Though I’m sure that what you’re really dying to hear about is Derek and his secret. And what a secret. But before we go into that, I have a confession to make: I knew the secret before it was revealed. You see, I flicked to the back of the book to answer somebody’s question on the length of Sing Me to Sleep and two words from the author’s note caught my eye and gave the game away. Regardless, the reveal still made me cry and the ending broke my heart.

After loving Sing Me to Sleep I’m extremely eager to get my hands on a copy of Angela Morrison’s first novel, Taken by Storm.

For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

Sophie