Review: The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone by Adele Griffin

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone

By: Adele Griffin

Pub. Date: August 12, 2014

Publisher: Soho Teen

Pages: 256

Source: Edelweiss

National Book Award-finalist Adele Griffin tells the fully illustrated story of a brilliant young artist, her mysterious death, and the fandom that won't let her go.

From the moment she stepped foot in NYC, Addison Stone’s subversive street art made her someone to watch, and her violent drowning left her fans and critics craving to know more. I conducted interviews with those who knew her best—including close friends, family, teachers, mentors, art dealers, boyfriends, and critics—and retraced the tumultuous path of Addison's life. I hope I can shed new light on what really happened the night of July 28.

- Adele Griffin

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone is one of the most original stories I have ever read. Author Adele Griffin tells the story of street artist Addison Stone through photographs, artwork, and interviews from Addison's friends, ex boyfriends, family, and other people in the artist world. We get to see how Addison deals with fame and we see her downward spiral. While working on a piece, Addison falls to her death, and no one knows if it was suicide, an accident, or murder. This is what Griffin wants to find out.

From the first photograph of Addison I wanted to know more about her life. I loved reading the interviews from the people who really knew her, and the people who just acted like they did. Addison did suffer from a mental illness, but does that mean she killed herself? Or did one of her ex boyfriends push her, since neither of them have alibi's for that night? Each page left me wanting more. The best part? The accompanying artwork and photographs. I must have spent five minutes staring at each one.

The writing is what makes this story so different then other contemporaries out there. Told entirely in interview form, we get a sense of Addison, without ever really knowing her, since at the time of the story, she has already died. I thought it would be confusing with so many different peoples viewpoints, but it ended up being so easy to keep up. I was never lost and I always knew who was talking. Each voice was very distinguished.

My favorite voice was Lincoln Reed, who was probably the love of Addison's life. At first you only think negative things about him, since he doesn't have an alibi and he was no where to be found during all the media attention, but it's 100% clear how much Lincoln loved Addison.

I can not wait to read more from Griffin and I highly recommend The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone!

Check back tomorrow for my Addison Stone inspiration piece, part of the The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone blog tour!