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A review by story_sanctuary
Hurricane Season by Nicole Melleby
5.0
One of my favorite things about HURRICANE SEASON is the evolution of Fig's relationship with her dad. At the beginning she really idolizes him and feels super defensive of him, even when he's doing things that make her life a lot harder. She blames their problems on her teacher who called social services. Or on hurricane season for drawing her dad to the shoreline during its dangerous storms.
As Fig's dad's behavior deteriorates and starts to affect her relationships at school, she grows to resent him and his mental health problems. She feels guilty and frustrated at herself, and eventually frustrated with her dad when he's not able to do things with her that she needs, like going to an art exhibit that's important to her, or going to her art show at school.
Even as their relationship frays, Fig and her dad continue to share rituals that bond them. I loved their exchange: "I love you." "Double it." "Love you, love you."
And in the midst of it all, a miracle happens. A new person joins their family, and as so often happens when a situation is out of control, it's that person who helps everyone realize how untenable things have become. I liked this catalyst character in the story, too, though at times he seemed almost too perfect.
I loved the way HURRICANE SEASON used details about Van Gogh's life and his work to frame what was happening with Fig's dad and even Fig herself.
Also worthy of note: this is a medication-positive story. Fig's dad eventually begins taking medication to regulate his mental health, and while the solution isn't perfect-- the story shows some difficulty getting dosage and prescriptions right for him-- it's clear that it makes a positive difference in all of their lives.
Readers who enjoyed THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden or NEST by Esther Ehrlich need to put HURRICANE SEASON on their reading lists.
As Fig's dad's behavior deteriorates and starts to affect her relationships at school, she grows to resent him and his mental health problems. She feels guilty and frustrated at herself, and eventually frustrated with her dad when he's not able to do things with her that she needs, like going to an art exhibit that's important to her, or going to her art show at school.
Even as their relationship frays, Fig and her dad continue to share rituals that bond them. I loved their exchange: "I love you." "Double it." "Love you, love you."
And in the midst of it all, a miracle happens. A new person joins their family, and as so often happens when a situation is out of control, it's that person who helps everyone realize how untenable things have become. I liked this catalyst character in the story, too, though at times he seemed almost too perfect.
I loved the way HURRICANE SEASON used details about Van Gogh's life and his work to frame what was happening with Fig's dad and even Fig herself.
Also worthy of note: this is a medication-positive story. Fig's dad eventually begins taking medication to regulate his mental health, and while the solution isn't perfect-- the story shows some difficulty getting dosage and prescriptions right for him-- it's clear that it makes a positive difference in all of their lives.
Readers who enjoyed THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden or NEST by Esther Ehrlich need to put HURRICANE SEASON on their reading lists.