The Innocent Smiley: Review: Challenger Deep

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Review: Challenger Deep

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: April 21st, 2015
Source: Edelweiss
Date Read: 3/7/15 to 3/7/15
320 pages
Rating: ✰✰✰1/2

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.

Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.

Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.

Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.

Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.

Caden Bosch is torn

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Out of all my ARCs, Challenger Deep was my most anticipated because first off, that cover, and second, it was about schizophrenia. Even though I couldn't relate to Caden and was confused by everything at first, by the end I was able to piece everything together which formed an accurate presentation of schizophrenia.

Caden is a schizophrenic. It's hard to see that in the beginning, because our view of schizophrenia is so different from what is being portrayed here. Schizophrenia isn't just a couple of voices talking in your head, it's another reality that you can't tell apart from actuality. Half of the time, he immerses himself within his ship life "reality", causing him to zone out in actual life. Because of his inability to tease apart the two lives, everyone around him realizes that there is something wrong.

The way the book is written is pretty unique, in a way. The two lives parallel each other, and you can see that one predicts the other in a way.

However, it DOES take awhile to get used to.

My main problem, maybe not a problem but my own misinterpretation, is that I don't know what the moral of the story is. Less than halfway through, Caden is admitted to a mental health institute to get help. While he's there, he encounters the dilemma of following the instructions of the doctor, or...well not. Although I'm guessing this is a problem for all patients, there is this one part of the novel that made me question whether the moral was NOT to take the prescribed drugs. But then later on, this was contradicted? So I don't know, and I'm not sure what to think because of it.

Nevertheless, Challenger Deep is an eyeopener to schizophrenia. I know much more about the illness compared to before, especially since Shusterman succeeds at putting us into the shoes of Caden (and from the acknowledgments, I think this book is dedicated to his son who suffers from schizophrenia). I highly recommend this to anyone interested in mental illnesses, but be warned the writing style takes getting used to.

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Shay@TheStoryGoes... · 525 weeks ago

I'm fairly interested in this one, if only because anything to deal with mental illness is wildly interesting to me, but I'm not sure it's something I could get into. Especially if the moral of the story is confusing, I like to have clear morals in my stories, I like to know what the story was trying to say and teach, not be confused by it! I also really love different writing styles though, so basically, because of that I'm going to have to read this at some point.

Great review, Val! =)
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

Yes I'm also reading any book that's dealing with mental illness! This one really just puts you in the shoes of Caden who has schizophrenia, and it's interesting to see his struggles and thoughts. I think it took me awhile to understand the message, but I got it now. Kind of. I need more time haha.

Thanks Shay! I hope you read it :)

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Sunny Smith 36p · 525 weeks ago

This sounds really interesting! I'm always on the look out for books with an interesting POV. I think that books like this are sometimes more concerned with presenting the complexity of an issue then making a moral statement about the issue. Sometimes it's enough to get the reader thinking and let them draw their own conclusions.

Great review!
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

Yeah I have to agree with you on that one! Especially with such schizophrenia. I really had no idea the disease was like that, I always thought it was less dangerous/complex/....I don't know the word I'm looking for, but it's along the lines of that :)

Thanks Sunny!

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Erica · 525 weeks ago

Whoa I love the cover! Also, wonderful gifs. This book looks awesome! I never heard of somebody that was schizophrenic! That is really interesting. Clear morals are always hard to find, and I also like clear ones. Great review!
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

I KNOW ME NEITHER. But I guarantee that if you read this you'll see how different it is from your expectations! Thanks Erica!

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kaylasanchez2 69p · 525 weeks ago

I just finished another book about schizophrenia - Made You Up by Frances Zappia. If you liked Challenger Deep's subject, then I think you might like that one! It was way intense though O_O But I couldn't put it down!

Anyway - this one. I'm not so sure about it, but I've got it on my "to watch" shelf. I sent out a request for an ARC, so I figure if I get it I'll read it, and if not I might just skip it haha.
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

I WANT TO READ THAT SO BAD AND I HAVE IT so it will be read soon. And yes I loved this subject, and anything about mental illnesses, so I will read it muhahah.

I think you should read it :) I don't know how much you know about schizophrenia from Made You Up, but Challenger Deep really opened my eyes to how complex the disease actually is :)

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hitormissbooksblog 54p · 525 weeks ago

That is so strange... I don't think I get the moral either. Well, they can't all be winners :/ Great review, nonetheless, Val!!!
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

Hahah it is strange. I figured out that the message is the struggle of the disease (I think). If you get a hold of this book I want to know your thoughts though :D

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iskultripscans 74p · 525 weeks ago

It's really cool that there's finally a book talking about this illness. There's so much shaming of it out there, and not much empathy around, and not much empathy and awareness either, so I'm glad we finally have one here that sheds some light on the matter. I wonder if the reason why the moral is vague is because it's meant to simply make the reader know this disease is real and it's out there? Will have to read this and see!
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

I know. I don't think I've heard of another book (YA) that deals with schizophrenia other than the books coming out this year. AND WHAT. SHAMING? WHY? Just because people make fun of schizophrenics? Noooooo :( This book really puts you in the shoes of a schizophrenic though. And yes I agree with you Faye! READ IT FAYE READ IT. It's weird and different but a good different :)

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Shannon @ ISAM 71p · 525 weeks ago

******SPOILERS if you haven't read the book, move along! *************

Well okay, here's the thing about it: it isn't saying that it is good to not take your meds, the voices in Caden's head are telling him not to take it, and possibly even other patients. The thing with schizophrenia is, the meds they give you to control it are HARSH. They mess with you so much, and it almost feels like you're in a fog, like some kind of zombie (I will be posting a TON about this book soon, so you can read a lot of it there) so the patients often try not to take it (like Hal did) because they hate the side effects so much, or in some cases, feel "better" so they don't need to take them. It is a lifelong struggle (as witnessed by the older man from NYC, if you recall) and Caden was choosing to take the drugs THIS day, though he never knew what the next day had in store, but he remembered what happened when he cheeked them the first time. Basically, the message WAS the struggle- there's no "cure", but there is treatment, there is hope.

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

*******MORE SPOILERS YAY******

YES YES thanks for clearing that up! I was totally comparing this to depression and other mental illnesses, so this whole "you should be taking your meds but then shouldn't" was kind of messing with my head a little bit. BUT I DIDN'T KNOW how strong the meds were, and how hard it is to treat schizophrenia. Although I feel more enlightened after reading this book, I think I need more clarification about the disease. And yes now I know that the message was the struggle! I'll be looking forward to your review Shannnnnon :)

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jazmen · 525 weeks ago

I love Contemporary, not so sure about this one. Three and a half stars is not moving me but maybe, we'll see. Thanks for the review!

1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

No problem Jazmen! I hope you do end up picking this book up though :)

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Paulina · 525 weeks ago

The c over is so beautiful! I don't think I am brave enough to read this one
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1 reply · active 524 weeks ago

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vlangloisx3 116p · 524 weeks ago

Hahah yes it is really intense. If you do pick it up let me know though :)

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Tonny J. · 516 weeks ago

I've been modeling the use of "people experiencing homelessness" for my friends and colleagues for years. And when I can avoid the term "homeless" altogether, I do. It really is a term that places a person/family's deficit at the forefront. Why not shift from "homeless veteran" to a "veteran who is apartment shopping?" The word "veteran" is a strength, so let's lead with it...
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Thursday, March 12, 2015

Review: Challenger Deep

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