emreadsbooksagain 's review for:

The Wren, the Wren by Anne Enright

5.0

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Anne Enright's novel is marvelous. It is two perspectives, the first is the daughter, written in a fluid stream that feels very present and current, and very Gen Z. She is seeking meaning whilst learning about herself. The mother's, Carmel, alternates and is written more lyrically. She focuses on retaining, understanding and questions how we can know the precise memories of things. Reading Carmel's pov straight after seeing her through Nell's eyes lets you see the mother-child dynamic and the complexity of perspective - a representation of the brittle, volatile and vulnerable parent-child relationship that is incredibly moving. [There is one other perspective given, that of the Dad/grandfather and I wanted to be mad at its inclusion (why do we even need it) but I can't because it ends up serving a magic purpose right at the end and also sets the fractures and fault lines that ripple out.]

This book got me right in the heart. It is stunning. And is a firm entrant into the conversation of what it means to parent and to be parented, the duality of the roles' brutality and love.