A review by thebalancedbookshelf
The Storyteller by Kathryn Williams

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Storyteller is a coming of age story about discovering who you are. High school is such a hard but formative time in our lives and this books shows the struggles of fitting in. It also portrays how hard it can be to be your true self and learning not to care what people think. 

I love that the book used Anastasia’s story as a way to get Jess to open up and be herself. Jess is struggling with acceptance from her family and boyfriend. She feels the best way forward is to mold herself into the version she thinks they want her to be. She is unsure how to deal with peoples expectations of her and her future. She has always found it easier to bend her personality to what they will find most pleasing until she starts reading the journals and meets Evan.

Aunt Anna’s story transforms the way Jess sees her world. She finds herself reflected in the pages and can relate to Anastasia’s need to hide her identity. With Evans blunt truthfulness, Jess starts to realize how much she is hiding from everyone. I love how her character develops and how as a writer she finds the truth she needs from another’s fiction. 

It’s heartbreaking to read about Anna/Anastasia’s past and the world that they live in. For so many people books are a means of escape and while the ending wasn’t what we would all hope I think it’s a realistic portrayal of how our past can affect our future, wanting to be accepted and how different people deal with traumatic experiences. For Aunt Anna she was able to use Anastasia to escape her past. Whether as a reader or a writer books can be a break from reality, a means of finding truth or of self discovery. I feel that the reader is able to relate to all the characters in this story. At some point in someone’s lives they felt that their true self wasn’t good enough and the clear message of this book is that you are good enough. 

This book uses history to present issues that we have all faced. For Jess it was accepting that she is good enough as herself, even if it was too late for Anna. For Evan, it was letting someone else tell their side of the story and speak their truth. I loved the meaning behind this book and how well it is executed. For a YA book, it deals with heavy topics but in a way that the reader can relate too and still enjoy. I love how history was used as a way to free the main character from the burdens she was placing on herself. This book is impactful, makes you think and I loved every minute of it!