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A review by bookapotamus
The Falconer by Dana Czapnik
5.0
This is the most poetic, energetic and vibrant coming of age novel I've ever read. I won't forget about this one - probably ever - and Lucy will stay with me for a long time.
She is an unapologetic teen in NYC, she's tough and observant, she's shy and insecure, but she is so wise beyond her years that it makes you want to gather her up and tell her to - just be. To not think so much. But it's her thoughts that command this dazzling debut. She sees so much beauty in NYC while simultaneously savoring it's grittiness and dark corners. She plays basketball without abandon and loves her few friends, and may just love Percy a little bit more... I didn't know if I was going to relate to Lucy. Being much younger, more "street" - a city girl, and an athlete, I thought we'd have nothing in common. But Lucy's struggles are every woman's struggles - especially in those dreaded high school years of trying to fit in and crushing on boys. Being so tiny in such a big city.
The writing is so poetic and fantastic. I savored every word. The descriptions of Manhattan were so visual and visceral - the book, is an ode to NYC. A love story of the city. The early 90's art scene was a welcome addition and I relished in the unconventional artisans and their style. I could see everything described through Lucy's eyes with extreme vividness and I envied her awareness, her adoration.
But I also felt her sadness, her trouble to fit in, feeling more like one of the boys, than a girl the boys pay attention to. To be seen -but not in that way. Your heart breaks for her as she tries to navigate life and just find her place. It's a quiet story - as not too much happens, but at the same time - SO MUCH happens.
It's beautiful, and Czapniks talent for words is unlike anything I've read before. Stunning.
She is an unapologetic teen in NYC, she's tough and observant, she's shy and insecure, but she is so wise beyond her years that it makes you want to gather her up and tell her to - just be. To not think so much. But it's her thoughts that command this dazzling debut. She sees so much beauty in NYC while simultaneously savoring it's grittiness and dark corners. She plays basketball without abandon and loves her few friends, and may just love Percy a little bit more... I didn't know if I was going to relate to Lucy. Being much younger, more "street" - a city girl, and an athlete, I thought we'd have nothing in common. But Lucy's struggles are every woman's struggles - especially in those dreaded high school years of trying to fit in and crushing on boys. Being so tiny in such a big city.
The writing is so poetic and fantastic. I savored every word. The descriptions of Manhattan were so visual and visceral - the book, is an ode to NYC. A love story of the city. The early 90's art scene was a welcome addition and I relished in the unconventional artisans and their style. I could see everything described through Lucy's eyes with extreme vividness and I envied her awareness, her adoration.
But I also felt her sadness, her trouble to fit in, feeling more like one of the boys, than a girl the boys pay attention to. To be seen -but not in that way. Your heart breaks for her as she tries to navigate life and just find her place. It's a quiet story - as not too much happens, but at the same time - SO MUCH happens.
It's beautiful, and Czapniks talent for words is unlike anything I've read before. Stunning.