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kanagan 's review for:
Juniper & Thorn
by Ava Reid
A true modern fairy tale. Reid gives us an elaboration of all the codes typical to the genre: A father whose curse doesn't explain away or justify all the abuse he inflicts on his daughters; Wicket sisters, whose selfishness is a direct result of trying to survive the best they can; Love at first sight, where our heroine finds kinship in a man who's been traumatized as she has.
Marlinchen's journey will be frustrating to many, but relatable to others who have survived abuse. She freezes and fawns and dissociates, completely shutting off entire sections of her life. Her relationship with her own body and sexuality is distorted beyond measure. Where her sisters are defiant, she is passive and entirely at the mercy of learned helplessness. The only way out is to bloody her nails and claw her way out, hurting herself and the ones she loves so she may one day be free.
As for the prose, it was lovely. It was beautiful enough to me highlight many turns out phrases, but still light enough that I could finish the book in a day. It felt a bit like gliding down an icy path in the winter, smooth and scenic.
On a final note, I feel the need to comment on certain "takes" I've seen in some reviews; Some people are offended at the depiction of sex and sexuality in the book, as well as the abuse, and Marlinchen's reaction to it. I would like to offer a reminder that not only is this a fairy tale retelling, it is also a *gothic book*. While Fairy tales have depicted sex and dark themes since time immemorial, Gothic is characterized by its exploration of subjects like incest, cannibalism, abuse, disordered sexual behaviours, etc. Anyone without the emotional or intellectual constitution to read about an honest, harrowing story containing mature material is free to move on to YA, or middle grade, where depictions of trauma will be a lot less uncomfortable. There is no need to insult the author or suggest she is somehow morally corrupt for writing about her own experiences of abuse within a genre known for its graphic depiction of these subject matters.
All in all, Reid's got me. I'll be moving to check her other book in a heart beat. 4.5/5
Marlinchen's journey will be frustrating to many, but relatable to others who have survived abuse. She freezes and fawns and dissociates, completely shutting off entire sections of her life. Her relationship with her own body and sexuality is distorted beyond measure. Where her sisters are defiant, she is passive and entirely at the mercy of learned helplessness. The only way out is to bloody her nails and claw her way out, hurting herself and the ones she loves so she may one day be free.
As for the prose, it was lovely. It was beautiful enough to me highlight many turns out phrases, but still light enough that I could finish the book in a day. It felt a bit like gliding down an icy path in the winter, smooth and scenic.
On a final note, I feel the need to comment on certain "takes" I've seen in some reviews; Some people are offended at the depiction of sex and sexuality in the book, as well as the abuse, and Marlinchen's reaction to it. I would like to offer a reminder that not only is this a fairy tale retelling, it is also a *gothic book*. While Fairy tales have depicted sex and dark themes since time immemorial, Gothic is characterized by its exploration of subjects like incest, cannibalism, abuse, disordered sexual behaviours, etc. Anyone without the emotional or intellectual constitution to read about an honest, harrowing story containing mature material is free to move on to YA, or middle grade, where depictions of trauma will be a lot less uncomfortable. There is no need to insult the author or suggest she is somehow morally corrupt for writing about her own experiences of abuse within a genre known for its graphic depiction of these subject matters.
All in all, Reid's got me. I'll be moving to check her other book in a heart beat. 4.5/5