While the book chronicles Siana’s meetings with bands like ALL and Skinny Puppy, the idea of this being about an obsessive fan disappears after the first few letters. It becomes clear these letters are more about self-preservation and self-therapy than about burdening a “rock star” with ones problems. Siana uses the letters to find a non-judgmental ear to brainstorm on her life with.

The book is filled with ups and downs throughout. When Siana seems to reach a path towards healing and finding her way with her aunt, she moves to college and begins a path of self-destruction that leaves you wondering how she’ll ever make it through to the end, but by her being here today to publish these letters, you know she’s safe and well, but just like watching a horror movie again, you still fear for her safety.

The letters are filled with light-hearted moments as well. Whether it be bailing Skinny Puppy out of jail or fending off the perverted calls from an ex-boyfriend, Siana fills her letters with just as many laughs as she does battles with her personal demons. If anything, the letters show how a person deals with their problems and life giving others a chance to feel less isolated.

One of the main themes of the book is Siana’s fascination with cutting herself to deal with the emotional stress brought on by her alcoholic, destructive mother. While we only get a one-sided view of the mother, it becomes rather clear that she is the source of most of Siana’s mental torment and self-abuse. Currently “Cutters” are viewed as a specific mental illness, but at this time, they weren’t widely reported or known of. This led to many problems for Siana, especially with her college roommate.

Go Ask Ogre has a great deal to offer the reader. By time you read the first handful of letters, you gain an emotional attachment to Siana, so much so that you fear for her well-being when you’re away from the book. While reading the book, I was forced to take about a week-long break from reading it. During this time, I found myself wondering how Jolene (as I thought of her) was going to get everything together and get out of her downward spiral.

When I finally returned to the book, I finished the last 70 pages without a break and got the explanations and views into Siana’s mind that I needed to hear…that so many others need to hear. This book will save more than a few lives if it gets into the hands of youths everywhere. It’s not often you can be met with something so honest and insightful about growing up in society with hardship and mental anguish.

You cannot help but feel gratitude for Jolene Siana for printing all these intimate moments for everyone to read and for Nivek Ogre for holding onto the letters for over a decade. This book goes beyond entertainment, it is downright important. This book is a must-read for any confused youth looking for help and the peace of mind that they have hope for a shining future.