Willow's Reviews & Thoughts

I don't know how I feel about this novel. I found myself wondering if it was comparing autism to unwanted magical gifts of intrusion. And that spun the entire tale to me. And at other times I saw weaved into it the subtext of the security in selfish self absorption in children and how that protects them from their parents, alongside the emotional abuse (unwilling) when parents lean on their children and expose them to emotions and conflicts they have no scope for. There were reflections on unhappiness and choice and practicality and strength.

And yet, I'm fairly certain some of my unease wasn't intended - unlike the unease surrounding family secrets and conflicts and emotional distance and dysfunction, and emotional immaturity combined with a certain emotional lack of skill and the need to balance being needed with being used with feeling like a person instead of an accessory.

I liked the ease of prose - the journal, talking quality. I think I favour that style.