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A review by hickorynut
A Season Most Unfair by J. Anderson Coats
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Scholastica, more often referred to as Tick, is a young girl who has grown up helping her father with his candle making career. She learns every trick of the trade and produces beautiful work, accompanying her father to the annual fair to sell their candles. But as this story begins, Tick is surprised to discover her father has taken a boy as an apprentice, shutting her out of chandling for good. She is told now she must focus on women's work like gardening and laundry, grappling with the loss of what she thought would be her trade.
This follows her journey as she navigates mourning her childhood and love of candle making, attempting to rebel against the notion of growing up and all that comes with it, while also finding her own path forward. Tick reminded me a lot of Anne of Green Gables due to her impulsive desires to help her family without fully thinking through the ramifications of her actions. Her passion overtakes her sense, causing conflict for her father's business.
Ultimately this focused strongly on the difficult transition of young girls into young womanhood due to the way they are treated by their community. Tick's friends are burdened as oldest daughters who must take on motherly roles to care for their siblings. The sister of her father's apprentice has her own struggles and works to help Tick and her brother find their best places in the world. There are diverse bodied characters and mentions of disabilities and adaptations. Overall a decent read that while formed around an immature character, was not overly frustrating to read. It brought that same sense of transitioning from girlhood to young womanhood that Anne of Green Gables does.
This follows her journey as she navigates mourning her childhood and love of candle making, attempting to rebel against the notion of growing up and all that comes with it, while also finding her own path forward. Tick reminded me a lot of Anne of Green Gables due to her impulsive desires to help her family without fully thinking through the ramifications of her actions. Her passion overtakes her sense, causing conflict for her father's business.
Ultimately this focused strongly on the difficult transition of young girls into young womanhood due to the way they are treated by their community. Tick's friends are burdened as oldest daughters who must take on motherly roles to care for their siblings. The sister of her father's apprentice has her own struggles and works to help Tick and her brother find their best places in the world. There are diverse bodied characters and mentions of disabilities and adaptations. Overall a decent read that while formed around an immature character, was not overly frustrating to read. It brought that same sense of transitioning from girlhood to young womanhood that Anne of Green Gables does.