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I checked out Optimists Die First from my library’s audiobook collection because I was in the mood for a book about teen trauma, guilt, cats, and crafting. (Not really, but that’s definitely what I got!) Susin Nielsen manages to mash together grief counseling, feline fashion design, and awkward teenage flirtation into a heavy, hopeful and often humorous story. And somehow, that ridiculous mixture is not a total mess. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but the title and crafty book cover felt too good to pass up.
My Optimists Die First Book Review
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Optimists Die First Book Summary
Petula De Wilde used to be a relatively normal teen until a tragedy turned her world upside down. Now she’s convinced that optimism is dangerous, catastrophes lurk around every corner, and one can only truly be safe if you adopt worst-case-scenario thinking. She avoids escalators, germs, and human contact whenever possible. Her parents are barely holding things together, and Petula has been sentenced to mandatory art therapy.
The therapy group is a band of misfits, much like the detention crew from The Breakfast Club. These fellow “weirdos” are not people Petula would normally hang out with. But as they craft, vent, and share awkward moments, their unlikely friendships start breaking down her walls.
Then there is Jacob, the new guy in the group. He seems irritatingly well-adjusted with a prosthetic arm and all. He’s charming, confident, and knows how to pull Petula out of her anxious bubble. But he’s also hiding something. As their friendship grows, Petula begins to rediscover hope, creativity, and the possibility that maybe not all optimists die first. But will Jacob’s secret drive Petula back into her shell?
Who is Susin Nielsen?
Susin Nielsen is a Canadian author and screenwriter best known for her award-winning young adult novels that mix humor with tough topics like grief, mental health, and family dysfunction. She got her start writing for the TV series Degrassi Junior High and has since published several acclaimed books, including Word Nerd, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, and Optimists Die First (this one.)
Find Susan here: Home – Susin Nielsen
Now onto the rating! Optimists Die First Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3/5
I gave this one a 3 out of 5 for wholesomeness. Even though it’s technically YA, it definitely wades into some mature territory. There’s some swearing (not excessive), teenage sex (“behind closed doors” I think you call it? Sorry, I’m not a romance novel expert), and references to drugs, drinking, addiction, and grief. Petula’s mental health struggles are handled with empathy, but the overall tone is heavier than the quirky cover might suggest. It’s a well-told, meaningful story, but not exactly light reading — at least by my somewhat arbitrary standards of YA “light reading”.
Hilarity Score: 3/5
I gave it a 3 out of 5 for hilarity. Humor isn’t the main goal here, but it shows up in the form of quirky characters, sarcastic dialogue, and some delightfully goofy moments (like video projects involving cats in costumes and questionable crafting projects.) The therapy group has that found-family vibe, with each misfit bringing their own brand of awkward charm. It’s not non-stop laughter, but it’s got plenty of light moments to balance the heavier stuff.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4/5
I gave this a 4 out of 5 for overall awesomeness. The storyline felt refreshingly unique: quirky, emotional, and hopeful — including lots of cats, crafting, and a mysterious love interest with a robotic arm. While there are definitely funny moments, the book shines most in how it handles grief and guilt, especially the way those feelings can isolate people. It doesn’t offer tidy solutions, but it does show how connection (and sometimes cats in costumes) can start to bring people back to life.
Things I liked:
- Unique storyline – The central tragedy (a younger sister’s death) reshaping the main character’s entire personality felt raw and real.
- So. Many. Cats.
- Youth art therapy setting – A refreshing change from the usual school drama backdrop.
- The misfit crew – Like a therapy-group version of The Breakfast Club, each character brought something different to the table.
- Dry humor and banter – Even with the heavy themes, there was plenty of funny dialogue to keep things from getting too bleak.
Things I didn’t like:
- Some mature content – Light swearing, teen sex, references to drugs and addiction. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it nudged the boundary of what I was looking for in a YA read.
- Heavy themes – Grief and guilt are handled well, but the emotional weight might catch you off guard if you’re expecting something light and quirky.
Conclusion: Optimists Die First Book Review
Optimists Die First surprised me. It was heavier than I expected but also more thoughtful and unique than most YA I’ve read. (Yes, I am an old man who reads YA sometimes.) If you’re okay with some mature content and emotional weight, it’s a compelling story about how grief shapes people and how connection can help put them back together.
Read it? Loved it? Hated it? Are you an OPTIMIST? Or PESSIMST? Let me know in the comments below.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
