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hal_banks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jacqueline Wilson was one of my formative authors when I was younger, and rereading her books years later has been an eye-opening experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find how many minute character details and explorations are in this book, which makes each character feel like a complex and realistic individual despite the book's brevity. There were many particular details that I didn't notice or fully consider the weight of when I was younger, such as Katie's insomnia over her mother's death and Graham's anxiety stemming from his father's toxic masculinity .
Wilson utilises an sort-of quasi-stream-of-consciousness writing style throughout the book, containing lots of scene jumps mid-paragraph, deliberate run-on sentences and an uncertain timeline, which creates a volatile and chaotic feel to the book, much like how the protagonist exists in a perpetually transient lifestyle. Her ability to seamlessly allow us to resonate with the protagonist despite the simple, middle-grade writing style showcases a high level of talent in a distinguished author like Wilson.
Overall, I found The Suitcase Kid to be an emotionally stimulating read that builds a vivid tapestry of characters to tell a story about primarily about divorce, but also of learning to accept change in life and understanding that oftentimes, things will work out if you just give them time,an idea that is signposted by the birth of Zoë . When characters get into arguments over petty things, you understand them even if you don't agree, and between all the painful shouting, there is a story beset with childlike wonder, complete with mulberry pies and rabbit dolls and a 10-year-old's yearning for the past.
I strongly recommend this book to both anyone in its target middle-grade audience, and also those much older, for I consider it to be a work that both exists without age, but also matures with it.
Wilson utilises an sort-of quasi-stream-of-consciousness writing style throughout the book, containing lots of scene jumps mid-paragraph, deliberate run-on sentences and an uncertain timeline, which creates a volatile and chaotic feel to the book, much like how the protagonist exists in a perpetually transient lifestyle. Her ability to seamlessly allow us to resonate with the protagonist despite the simple, middle-grade writing style showcases a high level of talent in a distinguished author like Wilson.
Overall, I found The Suitcase Kid to be an emotionally stimulating read that builds a vivid tapestry of characters to tell a story about primarily about divorce, but also of learning to accept change in life and understanding that oftentimes, things will work out if you just give them time,
I strongly recommend this book to both anyone in its target middle-grade audience, and also those much older, for I consider it to be a work that both exists without age, but also matures with it.
"The berries had long ago withered on the tree. No roses, just tangled thorny branches. No sweet-smelling honeysuckle, just leathery stems trailing untidily. But it was still Mulberry Cottage. I was back. I was home."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Infidelity
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