“Dear Edward” by Ann Napolitano

Ann Napolitano’s novel “Dear Edward” delicately navigates the terrain between hope and heartache. The story follows 12-year-old Edward Adler, the sole survivor of a devastating plane crash, as he attempts to rebuild his life after the unimaginable loss of his family.

The story begins with Edward and his family at Newark Airport, as they anticipate their big move from New York City to Los Angeles. Readers get a glimpse into the Adler’s family dynamic along with brief vignettes of a few of the other passengers. By the end of the chapter, tragedy strikes: the plane crashes in Colorado, and Edward is revealed as the only survivor.

The novel alternates between two timelines. The first follows Edward as he recovers from his injuries and adjusts to life with his aunt and uncle, grappling with the grief of losing his mother, father, and older brother. The second timeline explores the hours leading up to the crash, offering insight into the lives of the other passengers and their backgrounds.

Author Ann Napolitano

Napolitano’s depiction of Edward’s post-crash experience is poignant and powerful. She conveys the shock, pain, and disorientation of acute grief with a depth that suggests both careful research and personal understanding. Just as those who have experienced the death of a loved one often experience unanticipated, vivid memories of their loved ones, scenes in the book are frequently interrupted by Edward’s memories of his family.

“Another pause, and a memory cracks through Edward’s mind. This is how memories appear now, like burglars bursting through a locked door without warning” (56).

While many readers may not have faced a loss as severe as Edward’s, the book provides an exploration of grief that still resonates. As the book progresses, we slowly see Edward branch out of his comfort zone and grow into his new life. His growth is small and incremental, honoring the lengthy amount of time that it requires, and as a reader you can’t help but celebrate the smallest of Edward’s victories.

While I found Edward’s chapters emotionally engaging, the chapters focusing on the other passengers occasionally felt tedious. Knowing their stories would inevitably end in the crash made it challenging to fully engage with their narratives. Although some characters had intriguing backgrounds that I enjoyed learning about, I found it difficult to rally around their hopes and aspirations in the same way I cheered on Edward. Despite sometimes skimming through their stories, I retroactively came to appreciate these chapters. In the final section of the novel, we see how some of these passenger’s stories go on to affect Edward, as he tries to help families of the passengers get closure.

Overall, “Dear Edward” is a cathartic read, offering a nuanced exploration of resilience and recovery after loss. Napolitano reaches deep to explore the complexities of what it means to reshape a life after loss and gifts readers with the best possible outcome for Edward in his new life. However, due to the intensity of the early chapters, this book may not be suitable for readers who have recently experienced a loss. For those who have had more time to process their grief, “Dear Edward” can be a deeply healing read. It reflects the non-linear nature of healing, capturing the progress, setbacks, and eventual strides toward rebuilding.

A television series based on “Dear Edward” is now streaming on Apple TV+.