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A review by terriep
A Tiny Upward Shove by Melissa Chadburn
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
First, thanks to NetGalley and publisher Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the chance to read this book.
This is definitely a story that needs to be told, BUT, it should come with some strong trigger warnings. Rape, abuse, drug use, child neglect, are all present and some in pretty vivid detail. This book is grim. Unrelentingly sad and just grim. BUT, the little sparkles of light here and there keep it from being too depressing.
This is the story of Marina, a girl being raised by an unprepared and self-absorbed single mother; of Alex, an unwanted baby who was severely abused as a toddler/child, and Willie, a boy who is abused and teased and has some diminished capacity. All these situations collide with huge force and tragic results. I could hardly stand to read about one more abuse. However, the friendship between Alex and Marina was such a bright spot, such an important event for both of them and I liked the way that was treated.
I did appreciate the tool of using the Filipino folklore of an avenging aswang who has been attached to Marina's family for generations, sort of an avenging angel. That technique allowed the aswang to view Marina's life as looking into her memory, so it put a step of removal between her and the reader (but it still was a harsh life). The goal of the aswang is to complete the main driving goal of the life it moves into - determining what that is becomes very important....and thus the view of Marina's past and intentions.
While I am aware that this kind of harsh life is suffered by many, this gritty story really brought all the heartache and sadness and depression to the top. I can't say it was an enjoyable read, but it was illuminating.
This is definitely a story that needs to be told, BUT, it should come with some strong trigger warnings. Rape, abuse, drug use, child neglect, are all present and some in pretty vivid detail. This book is grim. Unrelentingly sad and just grim. BUT, the little sparkles of light here and there keep it from being too depressing.
This is the story of Marina, a girl being raised by an unprepared and self-absorbed single mother; of Alex, an unwanted baby who was severely abused as a toddler/child, and Willie, a boy who is abused and teased and has some diminished capacity. All these situations collide with huge force and tragic results. I could hardly stand to read about one more abuse. However, the friendship between Alex and Marina was such a bright spot, such an important event for both of them and I liked the way that was treated.
I did appreciate the tool of using the Filipino folklore of an avenging aswang who has been attached to Marina's family for generations, sort of an avenging angel. That technique allowed the aswang to view Marina's life as looking into her memory, so it put a step of removal between her and the reader (but it still was a harsh life). The goal of the aswang is to complete the main driving goal of the life it moves into - determining what that is becomes very important....and thus the view of Marina's past and intentions.
While I am aware that this kind of harsh life is suffered by many, this gritty story really brought all the heartache and sadness and depression to the top. I can't say it was an enjoyable read, but it was illuminating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Drug use, Addiction, Murder, Rape, Child abuse, and Sexual violence