This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 Laurie Halse Anderson has a reputation for writing books about tough subjects. And it's well earned. Her books have always been raw, emotional and above all honest. The Impossible Knife of Memory is no exception. 
 This is the story of Hayley Kincaid. A young girl living with her father. Her father, an army veteran, is suffering from pretty severe post-traumatic stress disorder and as a result has a whole host of other problems as well (unemployment, alcoholism etc.) The book explores Hayley's attempts to balance taking care of her father with having a normal life - high school, friends, boyfriend the whole deal. 
 I absolutely adored Hayley. She reminded me a lot of the kind of female character Courtney Summers is known for. Complicated, often quite sarcastic and not at all the perfect model of beauty and intelligence that we often see in Young Adult. Hayley is quite intelligent but she hates school, in fact she's flunking quite a few of her classes. She's surly and sometimes down right rude. But as you get to know her, you realize that she underneath her defensive barrier she's actually fiercely loyal and even a little sentimental. She's a complicated character and because of those complications it feels like she's a real person. Like someone I would want to get to know if she would let me. 
 I blogged months ago about Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, and how it was the book that changed my life. I read Speak back in high school and I found so much of myself within the pages. Now years later, reading The Impossible Knife of Memory I found myself transported right back to how Speak made me feel. I could relate to so much of what Hayley was thinking and the motivation behind her actions. And I don't think I will be the only one - anyone who has ever lived with someone suffering from not only PTSD, but any sort of addiction is sure to feel a sense of camaraderie with Hayley. 
 I think Laurie Halse Anderson has conveyed something important here about how hard it is to give up on someone - not because you're scared, or weak or threatened but because you don't want to give up on them. Because they're someone you love and want the best for and you can see how their demons (be they memories from the war, alcoholism, depression or whatever) are tearing them apart from the inside despite their best efforts. But I think that this book also conveys how important it is to ask for help. That no one should have to face this kind of situation alone. I liked how Laurie Halse Anderson developed Hayley's relationship with Finn, and to a lesser extent her step mother Trish. Originally they were people Hayley tried to push away, but as she grew as a character she learned that it was ok to lean on them when she needed to. 
 The Impossible Knife of Memory sheds light on the reality that is PTSD and it is important topic to discuss, especially with ongoing conflict in the Middle East. But this novel also touches on family, bravery, love and growing up. There is a dark comedic edge as well that made me smile consistently, despite it's serious themes. It's a layered and important novel that will appeal to new and old Laurie Halse Anderson fans alike.