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A review by booksamongstfriends
The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts by Soraya Palmer
4.0
Human Origins felt like a masterclass in the art of generational storytelling and the appreciation of the power and weight of our words. The words that we choose to pass down, the secrets we keep, promises we make, folktales we share, and lies we protect. Especially the words that go unspoken.
Though this book is told from the perspectives of two sisters, Zora and Sasha, it centers around a broken family bonded by ever changing tales and storytelling. A pregnant mother with an unfaithful husband, a father who wants to be seen the way he tells, a daughter that doesn’t feel seen, and a sister that’s growing out of touch. With themes of magical realism, infidelity, abuse, sexuality, and much more, this book has a lot to take in. As you read and discover stories can be tools of healing you recognize they are also tools of manipulation. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but to think of two sayings: your parents had a life before you and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Key takeaway / Lessons:
• Live in the moment of inevitability
• We don’t always know
Though this book is told from the perspectives of two sisters, Zora and Sasha, it centers around a broken family bonded by ever changing tales and storytelling. A pregnant mother with an unfaithful husband, a father who wants to be seen the way he tells, a daughter that doesn’t feel seen, and a sister that’s growing out of touch. With themes of magical realism, infidelity, abuse, sexuality, and much more, this book has a lot to take in. As you read and discover stories can be tools of healing you recognize they are also tools of manipulation. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but to think of two sayings: your parents had a life before you and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Key takeaway / Lessons:
• Live in the moment of inevitability
• We don’t always know