Reviews

A Girl Made of Air by Nydia Hetherington

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vanessa_issa's review

4.0

Thanks to Quercus Books for the DRC!

Oh. my. God.
This book.

I love stories that take place in the circus, so when I saw this cover (absolutely beautiful, by the way) I knew it would be one of my readings this year. I didn’t read the synopsis. I didn’t want to know beforehand what it was about.

At first, I thought the story would be mostly about the presentations and the artistic side of the characters. In fact, the main focus is on their personal lives, past traumas, dreams, passions and inspirations. The main character is searching for someone.

The story is told by 'Mouse' - we don't know her real name -, who grew up in the circus and was very influenced by the people she met there, mainly by Serendipity Wilson. I really liked the tales, always sending important messages. I am still reflecting on some of them.

It’s a very beautiful story. I confess that I found the first chapters a little slow, I thought I might not like it. But, from the moment I read Marta's letter, I was completely mesmerized and I didn't want to stop reading.

This is Nydia Hetherington's debut novel, and I totally became a fan! I’m definitely looking forward to future publications. :)

lizzillia's review against another edition

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4.0

It was the cover that attracted me to this book - and the blurb which suggested a tale of circus life and folklore. The first pages are an interview - our funambulist, Mouse, is being interviewed and we learn a little about her. The interview sparks something in our protagonist's mind and she gathers together her notes and journals and starts typing up her story for the journalist who interviewed her. The story is told in a non chronological style with interviews, journals, news articles and letters and even folk tales from Serendipity Wilson and through these Mouse recounts her sad little life at the circus where she was left to fend for herself, unloved and unwanted by her mother. An new arrival to the circus, Serendipity Wilson, takes Mouse under her wing, teaches her to walk the wire and become a star. But an incident from her youth haunts Mouse and she leaves the circus - and England - to try to find what she lost. This is not a novel full of magic and sparkle - it is quite dark, full of secrets and human weakness and the grimy side of circus life. In fact when Mouse reads her mother's letter - that is a really dark and upsetting section. The pace is slow and there is a reveal at the end, but Mouse was not someone that I felt attached to. Even though I picked this up expecting something a lot more magical and light, it was a story that sort of kept my attention.

laura_storyteller's review

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kayjaybeereads's review

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

abril_chavez's review

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adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The book is beautifully written book. It’s entirely captivating. The magic and folklore mentioned is enthralling and it’s a sad and hopeful tale of human emotions.

womanon's review against another edition

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2.0

This wasn't really for me. I couldn't connect with any with the characters, nor was I able to connect with the story. I did, however, love the short stories in between the chapters.