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A review by shesgotstories
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
5.0
I don't think that I could've read this at a better time in my life as it hit very close to home. This adult coming-of-age story made me feel understood and that it's okay to not know what direction to go in once your grand life plan falls apart after college.
It's sapphic and it's beautiful. I cried my eyes out, especially while reading chapter 9 because I feel the same. "My battery is low...and it's getting dark." As an adult, once you graduate college in today's world, there is this infinite pressure on you to get a successful job that's relevant to the degree you finished. As both Grace and I could attest, things fall apart. There are no offers, no rewards, and there's no one to thank you for the effort you put in. It's just a piece of paper like Grace says. That's it. Years of burnout and hard work for a piece of paper and an industry you love yet is so full of racism and/or sexism you come to resent it to some extent.
This book touches on topics of what it's like being queer, being a black woman in a harsh world full of white people who discredit you and your success, on the constant desire to make people proud when your focus should be you, and on how family isn't always blood-related but rather those who love you and support you regardless. It gave a great representation of what anxiety and depression feel like and how it's okay to reach out for help for it, no matter your age, regardless of what others may say.
I know some people have referred to the writing as "saccharine" and while I know it's not for everyone, I found the writing to be beautiful. Or maybe that's just me seeing so much of myself in the story that I enjoyed the so-called "saccharine" writing. Where else would you get beautiful sentiments such as "I think the sun saw something in you, something bright all on its own, and it picked you"? Maybe I just have a soft spot for poetic-sounding compliments and how they indicate that someone took the time to conjure up such words that sound more genuine than just "You're pretty".
I loved Yuki's stories and how there was always a message there. I think I would tune in to such a radio show if one existed. I could never articulate my thoughts and sentiments as well as she does, that's for sure. One story she told of that hit the hardest was that of the Yamauba. "Even as a child, I wondered why so many of the bad things, the scary things, were women. I asked my grandmother once, and she told me it was the way of the world. Sometimes monsters became women, because women who deviated were monsters. I didn't understand that until later." How many of us women understand that to the fullest extent because we trailblazed our own path and refused to do what society tells us, only for us to be demonized?
Grace and Yuki's story is unconventional but has so many realistic aspects. Insecurities that plague you and how it's hard to ask for reassurance, especially when you don't want to feel like an inconvenience (I can't even begin to tell you how relatable that is). How communication is hard, but you can always try to be better. How running away is something many of us do, but those who love us understand and will gladly help us get back on track. You don't need to get your life together completely for someone you love because they will help you pick up the pieces and build with you. There are so many lessons to be learned from them.
One could easily argue that Colonol, Grace's father, is abusive. Perhaps not physically, but certainly emotionally and somewhat verbally. He issues Grace a plan and makes her stick to it, even if it's not in the world of medicine like he wanted. Grace has a constant desire to please him and not be a disappointment, and I think this is a situation so many of us may be all too familiar with within our own families. Grace's mother is a little on the neglectful side, but we do see some growth from both parents, although I'd argue that some of the things they did to Grace are inexcusable.
If you haven't figured it out by now, I am utterly obsessed with this book and story. It's my new comfort read. As a fellow lost soul wandering the cosmos, Grace's story makes me feel a little less alone in the depressing and lonely adult world.
"Good night, my lonely creatures. Are you listening? Are you there?"
It's sapphic and it's beautiful. I cried my eyes out, especially while reading chapter 9 because I feel the same. "My battery is low...and it's getting dark." As an adult, once you graduate college in today's world, there is this infinite pressure on you to get a successful job that's relevant to the degree you finished. As both Grace and I could attest, things fall apart. There are no offers, no rewards, and there's no one to thank you for the effort you put in. It's just a piece of paper like Grace says. That's it. Years of burnout and hard work for a piece of paper and an industry you love yet is so full of racism and/or sexism you come to resent it to some extent.
This book touches on topics of what it's like being queer, being a black woman in a harsh world full of white people who discredit you and your success, on the constant desire to make people proud when your focus should be you, and on how family isn't always blood-related but rather those who love you and support you regardless. It gave a great representation of what anxiety and depression feel like and how it's okay to reach out for help for it, no matter your age, regardless of what others may say.
I know some people have referred to the writing as "saccharine" and while I know it's not for everyone, I found the writing to be beautiful. Or maybe that's just me seeing so much of myself in the story that I enjoyed the so-called "saccharine" writing. Where else would you get beautiful sentiments such as "I think the sun saw something in you, something bright all on its own, and it picked you"? Maybe I just have a soft spot for poetic-sounding compliments and how they indicate that someone took the time to conjure up such words that sound more genuine than just "You're pretty".
I loved Yuki's stories and how there was always a message there. I think I would tune in to such a radio show if one existed. I could never articulate my thoughts and sentiments as well as she does, that's for sure. One story she told of that hit the hardest was that of the Yamauba. "Even as a child, I wondered why so many of the bad things, the scary things, were women. I asked my grandmother once, and she told me it was the way of the world. Sometimes monsters became women, because women who deviated were monsters. I didn't understand that until later." How many of us women understand that to the fullest extent because we trailblazed our own path and refused to do what society tells us, only for us to be demonized?
Grace and Yuki's story is unconventional but has so many realistic aspects. Insecurities that plague you and how it's hard to ask for reassurance, especially when you don't want to feel like an inconvenience (I can't even begin to tell you how relatable that is). How communication is hard, but you can always try to be better. How running away is something many of us do, but those who love us understand and will gladly help us get back on track. You don't need to get your life together completely for someone you love because they will help you pick up the pieces and build with you. There are so many lessons to be learned from them.
One could easily argue that Colonol, Grace's father, is abusive. Perhaps not physically, but certainly emotionally and somewhat verbally. He issues Grace a plan and makes her stick to it, even if it's not in the world of medicine like he wanted. Grace has a constant desire to please him and not be a disappointment, and I think this is a situation so many of us may be all too familiar with within our own families. Grace's mother is a little on the neglectful side, but we do see some growth from both parents, although I'd argue that some of the things they did to Grace are inexcusable.
If you haven't figured it out by now, I am utterly obsessed with this book and story. It's my new comfort read. As a fellow lost soul wandering the cosmos, Grace's story makes me feel a little less alone in the depressing and lonely adult world.
"Good night, my lonely creatures. Are you listening? Are you there?"