The Way I Used To Be Summary: A Must-Read Novel

Introduction

If you’re looking for a heart-wrenching story about a young girl’s journey through trauma and healing, then The Way I Used to Be is the perfect novel for you. Written by Amber Smith, this book has captured the hearts of thousands of readers since its release in 2016. In this article, we will dive into the summary of the book and explore the themes and characters that make this novel a must-read for everyone.

Summary

The Way I Used to Be is a story about Eden, a high school student who was raped by her brother’s best friend, Kevin, during a party. The book is divided into four parts, each representing a year of Eden’s life after the incident. In the first year, Eden tries to forget about what happened and continues to live her life as if nothing has changed. However, as time passes, she becomes more and more withdrawn, struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

In the second year, Eden starts to act out, engaging in risky behaviors such as drinking, drugs, and casual sex. She is trying to numb the pain and forget about the trauma that she experienced. However, her behavior only leads to more problems and further isolation from her family and friends.

In the third year, Eden starts to confront her feelings and begins therapy. With the help of her therapist, she starts to understand the impact of the trauma on her life and starts to work towards healing. She also starts to reconnect with her childhood best friend, Mara, who helps her through the healing process.

In the fourth year, Eden finally confronts Kevin and tells her family and friends about what happened. Although it is a difficult process, she finally starts to feel like she can move forward and start to live her life again.

Themes

The Way I Used to Be explores themes of trauma, healing, and the impact of sexual assault on survivors. Through Eden’s journey, we see the different ways that trauma can manifest and how it affects not only the survivor but also their relationships with others. The novel also touches on the importance of therapy and support from loved ones in the healing process.

Characters

Eden is the main character of the novel, and we see the story through her perspective. She is a complex character, struggling with the trauma she experienced and trying to find a way to move forward. Mara, Eden’s childhood best friend, is a supportive character who helps Eden through the healing process. Kevin, the rapist, is a complicated character, and although he is the perpetrator of the crime, we see glimpses of his humanity throughout the novel.

Conclusion

The Way I Used to Be is a powerful and emotional novel that explores the impact of sexual assault on survivors. It is a must-read for everyone, as it sheds light on an important issue that affects many people. Through Eden’s journey, we see the importance of healing and the power of support from loved ones. If you haven’t read this book yet, add it to your reading list, and you won’t regret it.