In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner is a beautifully written and emotionally charged young adult novel that delves into the complexities of mental health, grief, and the search for self-identity. Polisner’s sensitive and lyrical approach to storytelling makes this novel a poignant exploration of how we cope with trauma and the healing power of art, love, and connection.

The story follows Klee (pronounced “Clay”) Alden, a talented teenage artist whose life unravels after the sudden death of his father, a renowned painter. Overwhelmed by grief and struggling to make sense of his emotions, Klee spirals into a deep depression, leading to a breakdown that lands him in a mental health facility. The novel unfolds through a series of fragmented memories, dreams, and therapy sessions as Klee navigates the painful process of coming to terms with his father’s death, his own mental health, and the complexities of his relationships with those around him.

Polisner’s portrayal of Klee’s internal world is both raw and authentic. She captures the intensity of his emotions—the confusion, anger, and profound sadness that accompany his journey. Klee is a deeply relatable protagonist, and his struggles with mental illness are depicted with nuance and compassion. The novel avoids clichés, instead offering a realistic and respectful depiction of the challenges faced by those dealing with depression and grief.

One of the novel’s standout features is its structure. The narrative is nonlinear, reflecting the fragmented state of Klee’s mind as he pieces together the events that led him to the hospital. This approach effectively mirrors the experience of trauma, where memories and emotions often come in disjointed waves rather than a straightforward progression. Polisner’s use of vivid imagery, particularly through Klee’s artistic lens, adds a layer of depth to the storytelling, allowing readers to experience his emotions in a visceral way.

The supporting characters in In Sight of Stars are well-developed and play crucial roles in Klee’s journey toward healing. Sarah, a fellow patient, becomes a pivotal figure in Klee’s life, offering both companionship and a mirror to his own struggles. Dr. Alvarez, Klee’s therapist, is portrayed with warmth and understanding, guiding Klee through the difficult process of confronting his past. The relationships Klee forms within the facility, as well as those outside it, are portrayed with authenticity, emphasizing the importance of human connection in the healing process.

Polisner also explores the impact of family dynamics on mental health. Klee’s relationship with his father is central to the novel, with flashbacks revealing the deep bond they shared and the secrets that ultimately led to Klee’s unraveling. His complicated relationship with his mother adds another layer of tension, as Klee grapples with feelings of abandonment and the pressure to live up to his father’s legacy. These familial relationships are portrayed with a keen eye for detail, highlighting how they shape Klee’s identity and his struggle for self-acceptance.

In Sight of Stars is not just a story of personal struggle; it is also a celebration of art and its ability to heal. Klee’s passion for painting becomes a lifeline, helping him to process his emotions and make sense of his world. Polisner beautifully conveys the therapeutic power of creativity, showing how art can be a refuge in times of darkness and a means of expressing what cannot be put into words.

The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in Klee’s journey. While the subject matter is heavy, Polisner balances the darker themes with moments of hope and lightness, making the story both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The writing is poetic and evocative, drawing readers into Klee’s world and keeping them engaged until the very end.

In Sight of Stars is a powerful and moving novel that tackles difficult topics with grace and sensitivity. Gae Polisner has crafted a story that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss, struggled with mental health, or sought to find their place in the world. It’s a book that encourages empathy and understanding, reminding us of the strength it takes to confront our pain and the importance of reaching out for help when we need it. This novel is a must-read for those looking for a deeply emotional and ultimately hopeful exploration of the human experience.

Whoops, I ended up not finishing this one. The choppy writing, manic pixie dream girl trope, and confusing AF narration were too much for me. At least I managed to uphold my 30-percent-before-I-quit rule.

This books writing style was all over the place. It started to grip me then was becoming a little unbelievable. With as much tragedy as Klee went through, the healing was a little too quick, which is kind of what threw me off.....there was unfortunately nothing too memorable about this one.

Klee's story was incredibly heartbreaking and raw. I was so gutted by the events of In Sight of Stars.

In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner sounds like it'd be exactly my thing - artiness, New York, a story with mental health themes. And yet, something about the writing style or characters just didn't click for me.

Wednesday Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of In Sight of Stars. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Seventeen year old Klee (pronounced Clay) has felt like his whole world has shattered, after the sudden death of his father. Pulled away from the city he loves and the things he knows, Klee ends up unexpectedly with a strong attachment to someone new. When the bubble bursts, plunging Klee into despair, will a split second decision ruin his whole life?

In an attempt to put the reader into the same mindset as Klee, the story is jumbled between past and present. The confusion is strongest at first, but lifts as Klee gets help at the Ape Can, a mental health facility for teenagers. The problem that I had with In Sight of Stars was with the speed in which Klee regains his sound mind. The way I read it, the break he had was catastrophic and I found it unrealistic that he would have been released from treatment so quickly. As messy as Klee's life has become, it just does not seem likely that he would be on the path without big setbacks. The side plot regarding Sarah and her issues just did not seem necessary, adding nothing to the main story. Having read many books with characters suffering from similar issues, In Sight of Stars just does not stand out.

This book follows Klee after his father dies. They were very close and now Klee has to adjust to a new life in the suburbs while also grieving.
He ends up in a psychiatric hospital and as you read you learn more about the incident that leaves him there.
This was a quick read and an important book for people to read.

I did not finish this book. I found myself having a hard time connecting with the book. It just wasn't my style.

I forgot I even read this book. Not that it was forgettable but for some reason contemporary books normally don't stick with me long. I only remembered this book today because I kept picturing a scene from the book and it was driving me nuts that I couldn't remember what book it was. Then I decided to comb through my netgalley books to see if I have any reviews posted to send feedback in and this book popped up and the I REMEMBERED. So there are parts of this book that stuck with me and I know that Gae Polisner has some very beautiful writing.

Musings:

At first I didn’t know what to think of this story. It took me a while to really understand the writing style and where it was all headed, but when I did I began to appreciate the story all of it. It’s brilliant from the very first sentence to the very last. Starting in a (doctor prescribed) drug induced state of hallucinations going on to become more and more clear as Klee heals made the story incredibly unique.

What I Loved:

The change in tone. The ethereal almost mystical tone of the beginning changed to a very real hard hitting one as Klee heals. The beautiful writing created a novel that I am now in awe of.

Paintings influence. I love when the emotional aspect of painting informs the emotion in the characters. Klee and his dad are both painters and the memories of their bond and how they both used it to express themselves was a beautiful touch.

The rawness. Every single moment I felt the raw nature of the story deep within me. It was a hard read for me because I started reading right before my dad went into the hospital and it was difficult for me to keep going, but I feel like reading this and watching a character heal helped me see that I too would heal. After all I have to appreciate the time I have with my family now. I’ve been a mess of worry for a while.

Misinformation. Another thing I loved was that there are secrets kept and beliefs that Klee holds that he doesn’t realize are not true. This happens in real life all too often and utilizing this as a big part of the grief Klee held was brilliant.

The memories. I really like how the memories were told almost dreams, lost in thought moments, and direct stories Klee tells his doctor while in the ape can. At first they are all tangled up and more and more you get attached and emotional as Klee finally reveals the answers to the questions you’ve been thinking about. Mainly what happened to get him into the ape can in the first place?

A unforgiving look at grief and depression. This story holds no punches. Things get dark and very real. It’s heartbreaking. At times it brought tears to my eyes.

All in all:

I think everyone should give this book a shot. The beautiful writing and raw emotion will pull every person in. You can’t not care about Klee and his grief. Another example of a story well told.

I love reading YA novels that deal with mental health and I have to say that this one is beautifully written. It's realistic but it makes you feel uplifted after reading it. Definitely enjoyed this one!

This book was intense, but worth the emotions it caused. The alternating timeline is very interesting and kept my attention throughout the book. I liked that the author dealt with difficult matters such as grief.

Klee is reeling from death of his father even these many months later. The reality is that Klee has never really dealt with the emotions that come with loss and trauma, and that becomes abundantly clear after a frightening incident in front of his former girlfriend lands him in a psychiatric hospital. Now with the help of therapists, medication, and his fellow patients, Klee is going to have to put his life back together.

Told in alternating timelines, Gae Polisner's newest novel is gritty and emotional and not always easy to read because it is not a forgone conclusion that Klee will gain some emotional stability and accept that he needs help.

I just finished an ARC of this book. This is such a great - uplifting - books for our troubled - and not troubled - teens. Klee is in a rehab facility after surviving a breakdown. He is coping with a secret about his father who committed suicide. He feels alone and disenfranchised, but, with the help of a lot of people, crawls back to life and will be stronger as a result.
I was in NYC last week. I made a special trip to Bethesda Terrace because I had to see it based on the scene in the novel. And, yeah, I can see why Klee wanted to take Sarah there. In high school I had a poster of Klee's Senecio on my wall and Van Gogh has always intrigued me. This book spoke to me on so many levels ... I'm sorry my high school self didn't get a chance to read it.

This was a heartbreaking book in general, especially since the protagonist has gone through so many hardships so young. I have enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.

4 stars*

This is the first book by Gae Polisner I've read and was a bit skeptical because the reviews seem to be glowing or panning...not much in the middle. I was pleasantly surprised!

In Sight of Stars is the story of Klee Alden, a 17-year old whom we meet as he is being committed to a psych hospital. I had a hard time getting into the story because it was told in a scattered, almost delusional manner. As i progressed, I understood that was Ms. Polisiner's intention-we feel his confusion and unease through the disjointed telling of his story.

Klee, named for the famed Swiss artist Paul Klee (pronounced Clay), is reeling from the tragic suicide of his father and trying to come to terms with having had to move away from his beloved Manhattan all whilst dealing with the trials of adolescence.

I really enjoyed the side characters-from his fellow inpatients to his psychiatrist, and especially the nun who befriends him.

The flashbacks to his relationship with his father are done well, and the book is not without twists.

I'll be recommending this one to fellow YA enthusiasts and looking into more by Ms. Pollisiner.

*ARC received from netgalley in return for an honest review.

After his father commits suicide, Klee’s mother buys a house in the suburbs so Klee has to start his senior year at a new school. Away from his friends and his familiar city environment, Klee struggles to adapt. Unable to deal with his grief and unhinged by a careless act, he ends up in a psychiatric hospital. With medication and therapy Klee gradually learns to cope with his father’s death and accept the truth about his father’s life and his family. In Sight of Stars is a sensitive exploration of how we can feel broken, alone, and helpless, but “the thing we learn if we make it through is that we’re not.” Teens need this novel which shows that no matter what has happened there is help, there are people who will care if you open up, there is hope, and there is a way to move forward.

This book captures the heartbreaking reality of a young man experiencing loss for the first times. This book follows Klee through his crumbling relationship with his mother, the loss of his father, and loss of a romantic relationship. We as readers get insight into Klee's decent into depression as all three of these losses combine and we as readers also get to watch as he climbs his way back out on his journey of redemption. We see parts of each relationship through flashbacks, so our knowledge is incomplete, but through reading Klee's struggles (which are beautifully never discounted or ignored) we are able to make sense of loss and love.

Once again, Gae Polisner has written a book I am proud to add to my collection. Rich details, and gorgeous prose make In Sight of Stars an instant keeper.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: Kinda graphic sometimes

Check out author's other books? Maybe
Recommend this book? Yes

Notes and Opinions: This book did a good job of dealing with mental illness as well as dealing with the parent dynamics of the story at large. Although I did like this I thought parts of it were kind of confusing. But I think I got the gist of what it was trying to do. I really loved the main character's strength and the positive message that this story gives. This one gives a good prediction of teens and their plight. And really gives teens something to read to feel true to themselves.

Go Into This One Knowing: Good story