Book Summary
"Five Feet Apart" is a romantic novel co-authored by Rachel Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis, which beautifully describes the love story of two young patients with very touching elements. Many readers who have had the chance to read this work have found it hard to move on from it, in other words, they have become enamored with it. The story not only delves into the genuine love between two people but also addresses the bitter events related to specific illnesses, creating a narrative that deeply engages the reader's mind, as such situations could indeed occur in the real world.
The two main characters in the story are Stella and Will, both suffering from a disease called cystic fibrosis. Due to this condition, their respiratory systems are prone to various infections, leading to poor health. Additionally, one of the characters has another illness that is transmitted through contact, making it impossible for them to touch each other, complicating their situation even further.
Stella and Will's first encounter dates back to the times when they both had to visit the hospital periodically for lung check-ups. During these visits, Will becomes interested in Stella after observing her good rapport with other patients and hospital staff, leading to an initial connection. However, as their conversation concludes, one of the nurses informs Stella that Will has a dangerous illness in addition to cystic fibrosis, which will soon lead to his death and poses a risk of transmission to anyone who does not maintain distance from him.
Understanding this illness and the pains and struggles faced by those afflicted is one of the key points that readers will grasp by reading the book. Additionally, the struggle that individuals endure despite their limitations to live a little longer in this world is another theme woven into the story, prompting readers to reflect on how much effort they put into making their moments in life meaningful and not regretting lost time.
About the Author
Rachel Lippincott is an American author born on December 5, 1994, in Philadelphia, United States. This award-winning author is best known for her book "Five Feet Apart," which is featured on The New York Times bestseller list. Other works by Lippincott include "The Lucky List," "She Gets the Girl," and "All This Time."
Who Should Read the Book?
Readers of romantic novels and tragic stories are the primary audience for works like "Five Feet Apart." If you belong to this group of readers, it is highly recommended that you explore this beautifully crafted yet poignant narrative.
Table of Contents
The book "Five Feet Apart" consists of 31 short and long chapters, with the story being beautifully articulated by the author.
Book Quotes
As I slide my hand over the last petal of the last flower, my fingers fall against a backdrop of stars. Needle-like lights that Abby painted to depict eternity. I clear my throat and reach out, leaning slightly to grab a photo of the two of us from beside the bed. Our similar smiles peek out from beneath thick woolen shawls, and the holiday lights in the park at the end of the street twinkle above us, just like the stars in her painting.
She looks at the water and swings her legs in circles. "There's a theory that I really like; it says to understand death, we have to look at birth." As she speaks, she plays with the ribbon in her hair. So, when we’re in our mother’s womb, we’re living it, right? We have no idea that life is just an inch away. She shrugs and looks at me. Maybe death is like that too. Maybe it’s just the next life, an inch away.
I have been on the rooftops of dozens of hospitals over the years. I’ve looked down at the world below and felt this same sensation in each one of them. A longing to walk through the streets or swim in the sea or live a life I never found the chance to have. A yearning for something I could never possess, but now what I want isn’t out there. It’s right here, so close that I can touch it, but I can’t.
I change my clothes, walking slowly and carefully, putting on a pair of leggings. I wear the colorful T-shirt that Abby brought me from the Grand Canyon. I look at myself in the mirror; the dark circles around my eyes have become darker than ever over these past few months. I quickly brush my hair and tie it in a ponytail. But I frown; it didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.
I let my hair down again and look at my reflection in the mirror with satisfaction, my hair cascading around my shoulders. I pull out my makeup bag from the back of the drawer and apply some mascara and lip gloss, imagining that Will not only sees me alive but also sees me with a bit of makeup on, looking into my eyes and at my made-up lips brings a smile to my face. Does he want to kiss me? I know we will never do that, but does he secretly wish for it?
My cheeks flush, and I shake my head as I text him. I tell him to meet me in the main hall in ten minutes. I shorten the strap of my portable oxygen tank, choose a quicker route, take the elevator up, cross the bridge, and enter Building 2. I go down the stairs and enter the main hall, meaning I pass through almost the entire back half of the building. I sit on a bench watching the plants and trees, the sound of water flowing from the stone fountain behind me softly echoing.
My heart races at the thought of seeing him in just a few minutes, excited and anxious; I take out my phone and check the time. Ten minutes have passed since I texted Will, and he still hasn’t arrived.
I pick up a Polaroid and stick the photo next to the painting on the wall. Then I sit on the bed and grab my pencil and notebook from the bedside table. My gaze drifts down the long list of tasks I wrote for myself this morning. The list starts with making a list of tasks, which I’ve crossed off with satisfaction, and ends with thoughts about the afterlife.
Camila pulls herself away from beside me so she can look at me. With her lips pouting and her dark brown hair hanging down, she says: "Second trip in a row without you." She’s right; this isn’t the first-time cystic fibrosis has kept me from class trips or sunny vacations or school events. About 70% of the time, things are perfectly normal for me; I go to school, hang out with Camila and Mia, and work on my app.
It’s great news, though not for Brooke, but Mia has had a crush on Mason since Mrs. Wilson’s English class in sophomore year. So, this trip is an opportunity for her to finally make a move. I’m upset that I can’t be there to help her pull off her romantic whirlwind plan with Mason. Mia puts her phone aside and shrugs, standing up and pretending to look at the artwork on the wall.
