Jigsaw Youth is the second novel by writer, photographer and Suicide Girl, Tiffany Scandal. It tells the story of Ella and "what makes her, what breaks her, and what helps her find the strength to keep going despite constantly being expected to fail". The story is not told in a linear chronologically, but in fragments and snapshots, crust punk vignettes from a rollercoaster life. It is a story about pulling yourself together when you are falling apart. About picking yourself up when you fall down, dusting yourself off, giving life the finger and going again. Ultimately it is a story of hope.
Tiffany Scandal does not pull any punches and the sensitive subject matters covered can sometimes make for a challenging read. For example, Ella is raped in the second chapter (So yeah, trigger warning, I guess), but that uncompromising, raw honesty is what makes the book so refreshing and inspiring. Scandal's prose is also right up my alley, from the Hemingway/Bukowski school of refined and direct, with seldom a wasted word in sight.
Jigsaw Youth has a huge beating heart at it's core and you will live and breathe every moment with Ella, through good times and bad and when it is all said and done you will wish she was your best friend. My only real criticism of the book is that it is too short! I did not want it to end, not least because of the juicy moment that it finishes on. Sure, you could make an argument for the whole "leave them wanting more" thing, but DAMNIT I WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CREDITS ROLL. I may never find out what becomes of Ella but I do know that I will be waiting with bated breath to read whatever Tiffany Scandal writes next!
Grab a copy of Jigaw Youth directly from Ladybox Books or from Amazon (UK) or Amazon (US).
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