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A review by shanaqui
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Crane Husband is a sort of retelling/answer to the traditional story "The Crane Wife". The main character is the daughter of an artist, who is startled when their mother's usual life is disrupted by the arrival of a huge crane that she orders the children to call "Father". The story is told by the daughter as she watches what is happening to her mother, and decides how to best protect the family.
It's worth noting right here that the story deals with domestic abuse, and there's also quite a lot of negativity around sex (the girl's mother is considered promiscuous, and so is she by extension). Beware of that if any of it is triggering for you!
I found the story enjoyable, and liked Barnhill's style: she portrays the relationship between the siblings particularly well, without the narrator having to explicitly say "I love my brother", or "I loved my dad", etc. She shows that in the way the character acts, in the memories she recounts for the reader.
I liked the ending, too; it's unclear whether the cycle is broken, with temptation right outside the window... but if anyone will, this girl will.
It's worth noting right here that the story deals with domestic abuse, and there's also quite a lot of negativity around sex (the girl's mother is considered promiscuous, and so is she by extension). Beware of that if any of it is triggering for you!
I found the story enjoyable, and liked Barnhill's style: she portrays the relationship between the siblings particularly well, without the narrator having to explicitly say "I love my brother", or "I loved my dad", etc. She shows that in the way the character acts, in the memories she recounts for the reader.
I liked the ending, too; it's unclear whether the cycle is broken, with temptation right outside the window... but if anyone will, this girl will.