The Burn Journals

     The Burn Journals is a book that lays bare the feelings of a teenager that attempts suicide by lighting himself on fire and his long struggle climbing back into society. This is another book that addresses topics that are not discussed in the open. My eyes were opened when I read about about self image and the degree to how distorted a teenagers (or anyone else's) self image can be by their own mind. What Brent Runyon saw reflected in  mirror was outside the range of standard assumptions. As interesting and real was the way the book did not address the source of Runyon's problems right away. It took three quarters of the book before Runyon's depression and other psychological issues are focused upon. When he reflects on the burning even Runyon cannot recognize what or why drove him to act. This reflects life where sometimes response/emotion over rules logic and can remain incomprehensible to ourselves. Demonstrating the difficulty in comprehension for others. This is another reason this book is so important. All of us need to continue to broaden our horizons as well as  recognize the fact that we do not and will not know all there is to know but that cannot stop us from showing empathy. Even (especially) when we lack understanding.
     Runyon's growth throughout the book is outstanding to read about as he realizes cognitive growth. Runyon struggles throughout the book to know why he lit himself on fire. I think that the reasoning remains elusive to Runyon for multiple reasons. Number one is the idea of the cognitive development of a teenager. Development happens in stages and sometimes does not match expectations. Depression is another issue. Depression can manifest itself in many ways and it probably fairly easy to overlook symptoms and often do not reach a degree that would push an adult into action. Maybe reading this book could push teenagers into asking for help before they do something that is irreversible. That what they see, of themselves, reflected in the faces and actions of others is not permanent but just temporary and the how and why value is attached to things ("things" covers a lot of territory). I think Runyon wrote this book so teenagers that are in the same place as he was can see the fallacy of following his path and I see no reason to not help him achieve his goal. Up, up and away.