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A review by katykelly
Here Is the Beehive by Sarah Crossan
5.0
Dark, emotional drama in verse.
Crossan always hits a nerve, though before this it's always been solid Young Adult fare, issues and characters. Her knack of writing in verse seems to suit her subject matter and the difference to usual styles is soon forgotten as you become embroiled in her stories.
This latest book moves in a different direction, for a different audience, and shows Crossan's ability to cross genres with aplomb.
A story about infidelity, grief and choices. Connor and Ana were conducting a passionate affair, a meeting of minds, for three years, until his sudden death. With the secret of the affair still shielded, her lover's widow is now a client of solicitor Ana, and the jealousies and curiosities of the past three years remain close to the surface as Ana shows us the pain of loss and love that isn't allowed to be openly acknowledged. We see scenes of the couple as well as Ana's bland home life with husband and family.
It feels as though you're inside this affair, though Ana is never someone you can fully warm to. I found some of the most affecting moments those between her and her family, with the innocence of childhood rhymes giving a new spin on the titular rhyme (one I didn't know).
With various layers to unwrap, Ana's story made me feel as though I was going through a wringer, the upset and tension, the darkness and despair, hate and anger, so vividly conveyed in a sparse verse format.
I finished this emotionally drained. Needing sunshine and chocolate. Very engrossing, intoxicating story and protagonist.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.
Crossan always hits a nerve, though before this it's always been solid Young Adult fare, issues and characters. Her knack of writing in verse seems to suit her subject matter and the difference to usual styles is soon forgotten as you become embroiled in her stories.
This latest book moves in a different direction, for a different audience, and shows Crossan's ability to cross genres with aplomb.
A story about infidelity, grief and choices. Connor and Ana were conducting a passionate affair, a meeting of minds, for three years, until his sudden death. With the secret of the affair still shielded, her lover's widow is now a client of solicitor Ana, and the jealousies and curiosities of the past three years remain close to the surface as Ana shows us the pain of loss and love that isn't allowed to be openly acknowledged. We see scenes of the couple as well as Ana's bland home life with husband and family.
It feels as though you're inside this affair, though Ana is never someone you can fully warm to. I found some of the most affecting moments those between her and her family, with the innocence of childhood rhymes giving a new spin on the titular rhyme (one I didn't know).
With various layers to unwrap, Ana's story made me feel as though I was going through a wringer, the upset and tension, the darkness and despair, hate and anger, so vividly conveyed in a sparse verse format.
I finished this emotionally drained. Needing sunshine and chocolate. Very engrossing, intoxicating story and protagonist.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing an advance reading copy.