Ellen
Hopkins latest book, Smoke, is a sequel to her bestselling
novel, Burned. The issues tackled in both books include abuse,
relationships, and religious extremism. Smoke's powerful storyline
is brought out through the lives of two sisters, miles apart
but in some ways expressing the same emotions. They search
for the positive while being trapped in a disastrous environment.
Approximately
six years after Burned was published, Hopkins decided
to write Smoke as closure for her readers. The heroines
are Pattyn von Stratten and her sister, Jackie, who must tackle
physical, emotional, and psychological abuses brought about
by their father. Pattyn is now on the run, the suspect of
a murder investigation, while Jackie is still entrapped in
her family's household. Although Smoke has powerful
revelations, it is much more of an adventure story than Burned.
Yet, both novels have subject matters that are very mature.
Hopkins
noted, "My readers are of all ages from pre-teen to adult
so a parent can read it along with their child. The subjects
are pretty hard-hitting and not juvenile. I think these books
are a good way to open the door of communication. I hope it
leads to a discussion between parents and their young adult
children. Let's remember young adults have to face these issues
of sex, alcohol, drugs, violence, and abuse. I provide concrete
examples through fictional characters. I want my readers to
try to understand why a certain decision was made at a certain
point in time. I want to show in my stories choices and the
outcomes of those choices."
Both
plots are centered on the Latter Day Saint Church, Mormons.
Although Mormonism does play a negative role in both books,
the important storyline is the dysfunctional family where
the sisters must endure abuse and its inevitable isolation.
Hopkins noted, "For me, it is about a dysfunctional family
who happens to be Mormon. I did do hours of research on why
people left the Church and decided to have my character blaming
her religion for her circumstances. However, I could have
used other religions as well."
What
makes this author's books stand out from others is her form
of writing, that of narrative prose. With it she creates yearnings
and emotions that are relatable to teenage girls. Hopkins
explained, "I was a poet anyway and was influenced by
Sonya Sones. It is something I experimented with and found
that my readers loved it. For me, it is a powerful way to
tell a story. Depending on the situations and the moods that
I want to get across I use different forms of poetry."
The most
insightful parts of both books are Hopkins' scenes of abuse.
She is hoping "children understand they cannot wait but
must stand up right away since it never gets any better. Pattyn
is frustrated with her mother because she is basically a baby-making
machine and keeps quiet about the abuse. Eventually it was
passed on to the daughters, who resented their mother for
not protecting herself and them. The central theme of both
books is that staying silent has horrible consequences."
Hopkins
also gave a heads up about her next books. Tangled comes out
this spring and is about falling in love with a psychopath.
It is based on a three-year relationship the author had with
someone who presented themselves as very charming. Next September,
Rumble will be published. In this book the theme is belief
versus non-belief, where the main character is an atheist
who is in love with an Evangelical Christian. She is hoping
readers question if it is possible to have a relationship
with someone who has divergent opinions from then their own.
Ellen
Hopkins has written many best selling novels delving into
problems that young adults face today, with Burned and Smoke
continuing in that storyline. The issues presented in these
books are important and worthy of discussion. Hopkins uses
her skills in narrative prose to create a powerful story that
will keep the reader riveted.
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