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A review by katymul
Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I appreciate a story about two young people breaking a long family feud that honors the generational curse that such feuds can become. There's no easy "our foremothers' feud is dumb so let's just be friends!" but rather some panicked decisions made because the two children know, deep down, that they cannot trust one another...even if they don't know why.
The reluctant pull toward community and teamwork is all the more beautiful for Otterloo's ability to portray realistic setbacks. The family dynamics are as messy as always, but there's a core of love that runs through this book as strong as all of Otterloo's novels. Radical acceptance, after all, is easy when there's enough love.
The reluctant pull toward community and teamwork is all the more beautiful for Otterloo's ability to portray realistic setbacks. The family dynamics are as messy as always, but there's a core of love that runs through this book as strong as all of Otterloo's novels. Radical acceptance, after all, is easy when there's enough love.