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sarahsthoughtsonbooks 's review for:
Something Wild & Wonderful
by Anita Kelly
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly is such a soft novel that conveys so much, as our characters, Alexei, and Been, spend the time hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Individually, the two embark on this journey to close one chapter of their life and start a new one.
Alexei is trying to reinvent himself. He's recently informed his parents that he's gay, and they've cut him off. He's not sure who he is without his family. He was also laid off from his job. So without any ties, he will use the hike to find out what he wants for Alexei 2.0. Then we have Ben, who spent most of his 20s not knowing what he wanted, and in bad relationship after bad relationship. He's finally figured that he wanted to be a nurse, and now that he's passed his exams is celebrating with hiking the trail.
I love how Kelly fills this novel with quiet moments, but doesn't sugarcoat life on the trail. Not only are there a lack of showers, but there are dangers that live among the beauty - for example the opening scene.
I enjoy Ben's experience for life, and Alexei's caution. How they are very much opposite personalities, but very right for each other. The forced close proximity of hiking together really gives the two a chance to get to know each other.
Though they are a hiking family of two, Kelly also takes the time to show us that they make friends along the way, sometimes they hike with these other friends, and in a way this expands their found family. Which helps to replace their missing family.
While this is not a coming of age novel, you do see how the characters grow into themselves, become more confident -either through the journey or in the decisions that led them to making the journey.
Anyways, these two precious beans must be saved from all dangers. Also there was a surprise epistolary section.
Content Notes: family estrangement, homophobic language, snakes (brief, but makes a wonderful meet cute)
I was provided a gifted copy by the published, Forever, but I also purchased my own copy of the book.
Alexei is trying to reinvent himself. He's recently informed his parents that he's gay, and they've cut him off. He's not sure who he is without his family. He was also laid off from his job. So without any ties, he will use the hike to find out what he wants for Alexei 2.0. Then we have Ben, who spent most of his 20s not knowing what he wanted, and in bad relationship after bad relationship. He's finally figured that he wanted to be a nurse, and now that he's passed his exams is celebrating with hiking the trail.
I love how Kelly fills this novel with quiet moments, but doesn't sugarcoat life on the trail. Not only are there a lack of showers, but there are dangers that live among the beauty - for example the opening scene.
I enjoy Ben's experience for life, and Alexei's caution. How they are very much opposite personalities, but very right for each other. The forced close proximity of hiking together really gives the two a chance to get to know each other.
Though they are a hiking family of two, Kelly also takes the time to show us that they make friends along the way, sometimes they hike with these other friends, and in a way this expands their found family. Which helps to replace their missing family.
While this is not a coming of age novel, you do see how the characters grow into themselves, become more confident -either through the journey or in the decisions that led them to making the journey.
Anyways, these two precious beans must be saved from all dangers. Also there was a surprise epistolary section.
Content Notes: family estrangement, homophobic language, snakes (brief, but makes a wonderful meet cute)
I was provided a gifted copy by the published, Forever, but I also purchased my own copy of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia