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A review by kblincoln
Above by Leah Bobet
5.0
Don't crack open "Above" unless you're prepared to enter wholly and completely Matthew/Teller's heart-wring, truth-telling, shadow-dark prose quest for Safe.
Matthew grew up with Safe; safe underground from the Whitecoats Above who would take Matthew and the others and take away their freedom and pride because they are Freaks.
But someone has betrayed them. They've let in shadows who can kill, and now Matthew's Above, trying to find a way back to Safe and keep his fragile bee-girl, Ariel, safe at the same time.
What horrors will Matthew remember and which will he forget in order to regain Safe?
The prose is Matthew's voice, his unorthodox way of processing the world Above as well as the nuances of the voices and facial expressions of the people who make up his family; Whisper with her ghost-friends, Jack and his scarred, dangerous hands, Doctor Marybeth with her wounded and great heart, and Ariel. Ariel who runs away, escapes at the slightest hint of discord. Ariel who is Sick and Broken and whom Matthew can love only by being soft and gentle.
Matthew's voice is compelling, emotional, and intense. I can see how some might not enjoy this immersive kind of storytelling that leaves you no room for negotiation- you feel what he feels. You see what he sees.
But in Above, its done masterfully. It takes only seconds to feel utterly immersed when you come back to the book.
I loved experiencing Matthew's journey. He learns the Tales he Tell aren't always true, and how the truth is complicated, messy, and heart-breaking. Sometimes Safe isn't enough. It's the ones we love that we hurt the most.
Leah Bobet is now on my instabuy list. Bravo.
This Book's Snack Rating: Like tortilla chips and hot, gooey nacho cheese for the encompassing, melting warmth of Matthew's voice
Matthew grew up with Safe; safe underground from the Whitecoats Above who would take Matthew and the others and take away their freedom and pride because they are Freaks.
But someone has betrayed them. They've let in shadows who can kill, and now Matthew's Above, trying to find a way back to Safe and keep his fragile bee-girl, Ariel, safe at the same time.
What horrors will Matthew remember and which will he forget in order to regain Safe?
The prose is Matthew's voice, his unorthodox way of processing the world Above as well as the nuances of the voices and facial expressions of the people who make up his family; Whisper with her ghost-friends, Jack and his scarred, dangerous hands, Doctor Marybeth with her wounded and great heart, and Ariel. Ariel who runs away, escapes at the slightest hint of discord. Ariel who is Sick and Broken and whom Matthew can love only by being soft and gentle.
Matthew's voice is compelling, emotional, and intense. I can see how some might not enjoy this immersive kind of storytelling that leaves you no room for negotiation- you feel what he feels. You see what he sees.
But in Above, its done masterfully. It takes only seconds to feel utterly immersed when you come back to the book.
I loved experiencing Matthew's journey. He learns the Tales he Tell aren't always true, and how the truth is complicated, messy, and heart-breaking. Sometimes Safe isn't enough. It's the ones we love that we hurt the most.
Leah Bobet is now on my instabuy list. Bravo.
This Book's Snack Rating: Like tortilla chips and hot, gooey nacho cheese for the encompassing, melting warmth of Matthew's voice