I miss him. I call him hoping to leave a message but the call crosses through and Sam speaks, “Julie…”
You have Reached Sam by Justin Thao
We all recall that pivotal moment when TikTok ushered everyone into the BookTok community with heart-wrenching sensationalization: “You have reached Sam.” Since then, it has consistently sold out at bookstores despite being the debut of Thao. It’s undeniable that, after reading this book, many of us attempted to call those who were no longer with us, yearning to hear their voices once more, just to say “hello” or have them call our names—personally, I certainly did.
Navigating through the aftermath of losing loved ones is challenging, compounded by the lingering guilt from the circumstances before they left forever. In those moments, we turn to prayer or dialogue with cherished memories where they will live for us, in the hope that somehow they can hear us again.
Background on “You’ve Reached Sam”
As we hold the book, its cover poses a compelling question, “How do you move forward when everything you love is on the line?” This immediately captivates the readers. Flipping it over, another question emerges, “What would you do if you had a second chance at goodbye?”. It leaves us pondering about our own lives while comprehending the book’s essence.
The book revolves around Julie, a seventeen years old teenager who is grieving for her boyfriend. Shattering all her plans of moving out together, pursuing their dreams, and spending a summer in Japan, Julie tries calling Sam just to hear his voice when it goes through the void ail. Fate intervenes as the call is unexpectedly connected to Sam. While this connection is temporary, Julie faces another chance to bid farewell. The question lingers: will it be any easier?
Holding this book, the question echoes in my mind, “a second chance to say goodbye?”
A quick review – You’ve reached Sam
Primarily, the book is effortlessly engaging. The language, explanations, everything flows smoothly, devoid of confusing or hard-to-grasp elements.
One part that all agrees is how the book revolves around Julie’s perceived selfishness—an aspect that cannot be solely attributed to her grieving process, as she exhibited similar traits in flashbacks when Sam was still alive. However, her character resonates with realism, reflecting our tendency to interpret situations from our perspective only. Her actions, though normal considering her status as a grieving teenager, may come off as blunt and unlikeable.
Another commendable aspect is the diverse grieving processes depicted for each character in the book. Julie withdraws from her surroundings, Oliver, Sam’s best friend, attempts to honor Sam’s interests, and Taylor channels grief into anger. Meanwhile, Sam’s cousin struggles with depression and loneliness and is left to tackle it on her own. Yet, the narrative lacks a substantial plot beyond Julie’s conversations with Sam, signaling a potential area for improvement.
Despite this, the debut work of Vietnamese-American author Dustin Thao, “You Have Reached Sam,” stands as a promising foundation, anticipating more from him in the future. The upcoming book, “When Haru Was Here,” explores complex emotions related to loneliness and friendships, adding another layer to Thao’s evolving works.
If I Could Say Goodbye Again
The lingering question persists, “What would I do if there was a second chance to goodbye?”
It prompted me to reach out to a friend unfamiliar with the story of Julie or Sam but was currently grieving. I inquire if he had wondered about a second chance at saying goodbye.
She was my close friend. We had known each other since school and life was more happier in her presence. But she took her own life a few months before. She must have had her own reasons but whenever I am stressed or need her, she comes to me. We connect in dreams and her advice are always there guiding me like she did when she was here.
Amrit
In the midst of grief, my friend admits to never pondering a second goodbye but expressing a wish to prevent her untimely death if granted a second chance.
Turning each page of the book, tears stain most of its pages. The grief within it made me reminisce about those no longer part of this life. The reopened wound calls attention to the void left by their absence. I realise I harbor guilt over the cousin I wanted to talk to more, the uncle I wished to help reconcile, and the friend who gave her best—an unspoken farewell hangs heavy, potentially alleviating my retrospective guilt.
Revealing a Major Spoiler: You Have Reached Sam
The book maintains a veil of secrecy surrounding the connection between Julie and Sam which never unfolds. However, did you know that some people genuinely believe in communicating with the dead? Let’s explore what major religions say about this practice.
Does your Religion agree in communicating with the Dead?
Across various religions, belief in communicating with the dead persists—either to bid farewell or seek guidance in life. While we can’t delve into all world religions, let’s explore the perspectives of Hinduism and Christianity that holds contrasting belief on contacting death.
Hinduism
With its strong spiritual essence, features followers who believe in divine humans blessed by supernatural powers (god). Terms like mata, baba, dhami jhakri, and jyotish are associated with those who facilitate communication with the dead.
A Reddit story recounts a place in Pokhara where spirits of the deceased are summoned to briefly possess family members, providing real and personal details.
While Hindu philosophy suggests the soul’s eternal journey through Samsara, there’s a potential window for communication if the soul rests at devloka or Yama before starting a new life.
Christianity
Christianity, as per the Bible, strongly disapproves of mediating between the living and the dead or praying to the dead. Such acts are considered sins against God, as Jesus is acknowledged as the sole mediator. Ecclesiastes 9:5 states that once the soul departs the physical body, it loses memory of its past life as it will not have any purpose for it. The permissible act is to communicate with God, seeking guidance and strength to navigate life without the gone soul.
While these are only glimpses into two religions, in this article, a common message emerges from every religious scripture: connecting with the dead may tie one to the past, entangled in grief but at one point you have to let go to live. Julie’s hesitation in the book to let go of the lantern, chasing it to retain Sam’s presence forever, mirrors the challenge of moving on and embracing the next phase of life.
The phone call may serve as Julie’s connection to Sam, but what about the other “Sams” in our lives? If reconnection were possible, could we offer the perfect goodbye we yearn for?
Source: Freepik
We will forever remain in the dark until we experience it ourselves. Perhaps the emotions of a second goodbye, explored in Thao’s heart-wrenching fiction, will forever stay away from us unless we become the next subjects of paranormal story documentaries. Regardless, we persist in finding ways to connect—be it through superstition or cherished memories.
Yet, the book delves into the enduring nature of grief than the death. It’s undeniably challenging to proceed with life when a once-constant presence is no longer there. The guilt of missing something persistently tugs at the heart. However, healing and moving on comprise a gradual process everyone must navigate. Grief isn’t something we move on from entirely; instead, we carry a piece of it with us, as Julie does in the book’s conclusion.
Despite the premature conclusion of the grieving period in the narrative, it imparts a valuable lesson: surrendering to reality and nurturing one’s soul fosters growth. This growth allows us to continue existing and, eventually, opens the door to reuniting with our loved ones in a realm beyond our immediate perception.
Nice