So, I’ve decided I’m going to reorganize my little library. It’s my first year in this kind of job and at this school at all. At first, I planned to leave everything as it was and get to know how things are going as is, but I have a lot of time on my hands and the few students that have come in seemed too daunted when looking at the shelves. Plus, I want to really get to know my room and my books, so let’s make a mess of it all!
That being said, my little reading challenge of A-Z may get reorganized as well. I’m genrefying the fiction section, and still figuring out what my new reading order will be, or maybe I’ll still stick with a dedicated A-Z. Idk. Anyway, the next book on the shelf before reorganization is Split, by Swati Avasthi.
To Weed or Keep:
This is a definite keep. Published in 2012, the topics and setting are still relevant to the modern day. The ending is hopeful, yet realistic. I haven’t read a lot of realistic fiction or books about abuse, but I’ve heard the general stories and stereotypes. The writing of this protagonist is strong and fresh. There is great representation throughout the book for navigating and discovering how to have positive, safe romantic and familial relationships after living in abuse.
Highlights, for memory sake:
I loved this book. Christian is an amazing role model and older brother.
The whole story is about unraveling the truth and learning to live with all the parts of yourself, good and bad. Their father was scarily abusive and I will admit there were times that I wasn’t sure how realistic his character was, but at the same time, I’m constantly reminded of how similar real life people are to fiction characters. Fiction is based on reality, and reality is often influenced by fiction. Unfortunately, many of the most horrible scenes in this book might really be reality for others in our real world. **Graphic spoilers here**
But enough about the parents (for now). Jace is a teen that escaped an abusive father, and found his older brother who escaped years before and was already making a new name and life for himself (literally). We get to see Jace have flashbacks of all sorts. Scene work, fear of how Christian will react to things, imaginations of how Jace, himself, might react to things.
Jace struggles with anger and physical desires to hurt people to take out his anger—specifically women. Christian is an amazing role model because he’s gone through almost exactly what Jace is going through and can teach him how to cope. He is reluctant to talk about things or help Jace cope at first, and this is one of the main developments of the story. As much as they keep their secrets and lie to each other, this book is full of stark honesty and healthy communication, probably shining even more because it is juxtaposed to the easier opposite every time.
There are so many other subplots going on that are amazing to watch Jace learn to handle, but the other main plot is specifically about getting their mother to run away as well. I decided I don’t want to spoil things, in case I want to reread this later, but I will say that the ending was a little surprising and felt very real. Many lessons were learned by Jace about people, trauma, healing, and escaping.
Writing:
This is written in first person, past tense. The characters are amazingly well written. Each relationship was unique and separate, yet all connected to each other and Jace’s past. I really enjoyed how each female relationship was different and useful in comparison to each other.
Lauren was his past girlfriend, whom he wants to hate him. Caitlyn is a replacement of Lauren, whom he doesn’t really like. Dakota—even I fell in love with Dakota—is his coworker whom he doesn’t want to like/hurt. Mirriam is Christian’s girlfriend—Okay, I also love her—and he wants to hate her, but can’t really. And then his mom, he is incredibly protective of as if she is his own child.
All these work together to teach Jace about himself and his relationship to women after living with an abusive father as his only role model. This is effective. Christian, then, serves as the new, alternative role model. This is also great juxtaposition.
Another thing, I’d mention writing-wise is the way Ms. Avasthi portrays impulses or triggers. She uses imagery and internal dialogue and then tells use what Jace actually does or says after the flashes or impulses occur. This added so much to the story, character, and every scene.
That’s all my brain wanted to recall for now. Hope this is useful to anyone reading!
Lastly, please make sure you’ve eaten a full meal recently. Can you remember when you last ate? Take care of yourself, you beautiful, troubled stardust. ❤ Bye!
N. K. Valek: Author 