tobyyy's review
4.0
Four shimmery, luminescent stars for this magical realism/historical novel.
The narrative shifts between that of Frankie and Pearl, the ghost of a young woman who died 25 years earlier. Pearl narrates the whole book, and at times the narrative reflects the transience of Pearl's existence as a ghost -- her ability to travel almost instantly throughout the city, see other ghosts and interact with some of them, and see and interact with living people (although most do not notice her).
If I had to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be this:
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is a story about the challenges that girls and women face in all stages of life, the anguish and pain they receive at the hands of others as a result of their innocent/natural desires, hopes, appetites, dreams, and cravings.
While a sad novel in many ways, the ending was uplifting, and I am thankful for that. This was a hard book to read at times, not just because the ghostly narration is difficult to follow at times, but because of the topics addressed. Rape, murder, imprisonment (in asylums), physical abuse, unwed pregnancy and the related treatment of unwed mothers in the 1920s and 30s, racism, grief, loss, war, blended families, abandonment, neglect, insanity.
Other reviewers have complained that Laura Ruby tried to address too many topics in this book. I can see their point, but I feel that the overarching theme -- of girls/women being unnecessarily punished for their hopes/dreams/appetites -- ties it all together in a package of sorts. It's not an entirely neat package, true, but I feel like having found that overarching theme allowed me to accept all of the topics addressed without feeling completely lost.
And Laura Ruby's writing is truly beautiful. She reminded me of Sarah Addison Allen's luminescent prose. I do adore magical realism when it's done well, and Laura Ruby is definitely polishing this specific skill.
The narrative shifts between that of Frankie and Pearl, the ghost of a young woman who died 25 years earlier. Pearl narrates the whole book, and at times the narrative reflects the transience of Pearl's existence as a ghost -- her ability to travel almost instantly throughout the city, see other ghosts and interact with some of them, and see and interact with living people (although most do not notice her).
If I had to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be this:
Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All is a story about the challenges that girls and women face in all stages of life, the anguish and pain they receive at the hands of others as a result of their innocent/natural desires, hopes, appetites, dreams, and cravings.
While a sad novel in many ways, the ending was uplifting, and I am thankful for that. This was a hard book to read at times, not just because the ghostly narration is difficult to follow at times, but because of the topics addressed. Rape, murder, imprisonment (in asylums), physical abuse, unwed pregnancy and the related treatment of unwed mothers in the 1920s and 30s, racism, grief, loss, war, blended families, abandonment, neglect, insanity.
Other reviewers have complained that Laura Ruby tried to address too many topics in this book. I can see their point, but I feel that the overarching theme -- of girls/women being unnecessarily punished for their hopes/dreams/appetites -- ties it all together in a package of sorts. It's not an entirely neat package, true, but I feel like having found that overarching theme allowed me to accept all of the topics addressed without feeling completely lost.
And Laura Ruby's writing is truly beautiful. She reminded me of Sarah Addison Allen's luminescent prose. I do adore magical realism when it's done well, and Laura Ruby is definitely polishing this specific skill.
bellaguiliano's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
missprint_'s review
3.0
I just don’t want to do this. This story hits all the notes fans of Ruby's other YA will appreciate. It's also a good comp for Nova Ren Suma's recent works (especially A Room Away From the Wolves--and not just because of the title!) with the blend of fantasy or magic realism and standard historical fiction. That said, this was just too hard a read for me. I never think it matters as much or feels like as much of an impact, but my grandmother and her sisters were sent to an orphanage for five years as small children because their parents couldn't support them. It's a decision that has so many far-reaching consequences and effects; something that left scars on all of their lives and still makes a very specific type of orphan story (like this one) very difficult for me to read.
I can see it being a Printz contender and may come back to it if it bubbles to the top for my library's Mock Printz but otherwise I think I’m okay with letting this go.
I can see it being a Printz contender and may come back to it if it bubbles to the top for my library's Mock Printz but otherwise I think I’m okay with letting this go.
rachelkc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mschelseawood's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed the writing in this. I had never heard of it before but I had to read it for my YA materials class and I’m really glad I did. I’m terrible at writing book reviews but I liked both of the stories told in this, I felt like the author presented us with just the right amount of surprise towards the end of the book that tied up ends. I didn’t feel any sense of predictability which was really nice. Don’t get my wrong I love a good cheesy romance story but this was just nice and not that.
soubhi's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chill_its_chaos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melindagallagher's review against another edition
3.0
This story is narrated by a ghost that died during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. She tells not only her story, but the story of Frankie, an orphan in 1940's Chicago. Frankie's mom dies, her dad loses his business in the depression, and her brother is about to turn 18, which means he will be drafted to fight in WWII. The nuns are abusive, some of the girls are mean, and life is not good. I listened to this book, but I need to actually reread it because it got very confusing trying to keep up with who is talking and whose story is being told. I was disappointed because of all the amazing reviews this book got, but maybe I need to read it to get all the subtlety. I prefer Lovely War or Book Thief if you want a story told by a non-human.
blondelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Francesca, Vito, and Antonia are dropped off at an orphanage when their mother dies. Their father soon marries, moves to Colorado with his new wife and her kids (and Vito), leaving Frankie and Toni at the mercy of the nuns. The story is narrated by a ghost and is a commentary on women's' roles and expectations of the early 20th century.
Laura Ruby interviewed her mother-in-law about her life in an orphanage. This is an homage to her story.
Laura Ruby interviewed her mother-in-law about her life in an orphanage. This is an homage to her story.