At the beginning of the narrative, it is unclear what reality is. The narrator exists somewhere between recovery, therapy, and fairy tales. This mix of the whimsical and reality makes you ask: Is magic a metaphor, a coping strategy, or both? This blending of fantasy and mental illness feels honest. Real pain can feel unreal, unbearable, and unrelatable.
“We can only go forward. Remember?“
This line is small on the page, but it lands with the force of a thunderclap.
We have touched pain and are no longer running from the past. Sometimes moving forward isn't brave or glamorous, it's simply what's next. And in that way, it becomes one of the most powerful lines in the book.
The last page of the novel stuck out to me the most. At the conclusion of Whimsy and Faeries adventures, when the author speaks directly to the audience. It was enough for me to grab my phone and take a picture. I think it makes the entire novel worth it, especially for younger audiences who may need to hear this, or even found themselves relating to the characters hardships throughout the novel. 10/10
pickWhen I first started this book, I was unsure of how I felt about it. The utilization of prose to tell the story was unique and encouraged me to keep reading, and by the end I was in love with the story. Its mystical elements made it feel like a more elaborate Alice in Wonderland, with important elements and themes not getting lost in the lines.
Thanks for inviting me to join the #WDNCW club @dabbe ! Thought I‘d combine it with a haiku because, well, why not? 😆
We really don‘t care
the floor is covered with hair;
it can stay right there.
We do not care that the house hasn‘t been cleaned in a month because I dislocated my hip and have been gimping around ever since. We do not care that my hair is everywhere. I‘ll vacuum tomorrow! 😵💫
#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry
pickHeart Berries, by Terese Marie Mailhot (2018 🇨🇦)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Premise: An unflinchingly honest memoir about growing up and living with abuse and mental illness while Indigenous
Review: This memoir takes a no holds barred # approach and I think is much better for it. Mailhot bares all here, in all her intelligence and education and all her trauma, illness, and heartbreak. Cont.
I think this book covers some heavy topics and includes language that might make some students uncomfortable, so I probably wouldn‘t use it as a whole-class read. That said, it could be a great option for students who are dealing with mental health struggles and ask for recommendations. I‘d definitely give a heads-up about the content, but it‘s still a thoughtful and creative resource for the right reader.
“We need to remember that the mind is still a mind, floating like a newborn cloud or bird wings drowning in hardened chocolate. My point is that a leaf knows it‘s important, at all moments of its life even when it is broken. People always forget that a rough day, a bad year— doesn‘t equal a bad life.”
While this book is not my cup of tea, it is undeniable that it harbors many beautiful, important quotes, that would be helpful to one struggling.
panThe book deserves credit for tackling important, often taboo topics like mental illness and generational trauma, particularly within the Black community. That said, its execution falls short. The fantasy elements are vague, the worldbuilding lacks depth, and key terms are poorly explained. With so many competing themes, none are given the depth they deserve.
