Scan barcode
A review by littlebookterror
If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
The contemporary novel packs a lot in between its pages. Not all of the plot points are my favourite but I loved all of the commentary that Kann offers whilst giving our protagonist Winnie an unforgettable summer.
First up, we get a queer polyamorous main character! Winnie already has a queerplatonic partner ("ungirlfriend"), Kara who has taken center stage in her life so far. It was so refreshing that these two had talked about what that commitment meant for them and how it would look like. They sadly don't get much page time together and when Dallas comes into the picture, you can prettily easily tell where that plot thread is going but I still appreciated that Winnie did not hide that aspect of her life just for a chance of romantic love.
There is also some excellent commentary in how society perceives fat bodies and the politics surrounding that. Winnie is comfortable in her body and unlike her grandmother, the rest of her family is as well. We learn that she often feels compelled to be nice and approachable (doubly so because of her Blackness), she is unafraid to advocate for herself in a medical setting (maybe a bit more rudely than necessary), and we see her try out running (mainly to make her cousin happy). With her gluten intolerance and the diner setting, there is also a focus on food but the narrative does not enforce the idea of dietary restriction, weight loss, or exercise being necessary when you are fat.
Family is another big thing. The relationship with her grandmother is at the forefront but her brother and cousin also get their parts. It's certainly not an easy situation to be in, her grandmother sometimes means well but also oversteps and crosses boundaries Winnie had previously established. Yet there are also many scenes where Winnie takes it to far and behaves like the teenager she is. At least the book does not try to tell us all that is okay, but offers solution to such problems (even if our protagonist does not always take the high road; not that I need that from her). The sibling relationship was precious, however.
There also these little moments with Dallas and Winston that highlight how toxic masculinity can fuck up your relationships and I loved where they both end up in the finale of the book.
Now, the rest of the actual plot was not totally for me. I know many people love small town settings where everyone is up in each other's business, and the charm that comes with local summer festival/pageantry/thing but it was a bit much for me.
Also a new favourite quote, I love this so much.
First up, we get a queer polyamorous main character! Winnie already has a queerplatonic partner ("ungirlfriend"), Kara who has taken center stage in her life so far. It was so refreshing that these two had talked about what that commitment meant for them and how it would look like. They sadly don't get much page time together and when Dallas comes into the picture, you can prettily easily tell where that plot thread is going but I still appreciated that Winnie did not hide that aspect of her life just for a chance of romantic love.
There is also some excellent commentary in how society perceives fat bodies and the politics surrounding that. Winnie is comfortable in her body and unlike her grandmother, the rest of her family is as well. We learn that she often feels compelled to be nice and approachable (doubly so because of her Blackness), she is unafraid to advocate for herself in a medical setting (maybe a bit more rudely than necessary), and we see her try out running (mainly to make her cousin happy). With her gluten intolerance and the diner setting, there is also a focus on food but the narrative does not enforce the idea of dietary restriction, weight loss, or exercise being necessary when you are fat.
Family is another big thing. The relationship with her grandmother is at the forefront but her brother and cousin also get their parts. It's certainly not an easy situation to be in, her grandmother sometimes means well but also oversteps and crosses boundaries Winnie had previously established. Yet there are also many scenes where Winnie takes it to far and behaves like the teenager she is. At least the book does not try to tell us all that is okay, but offers solution to such problems (even if our protagonist does not always take the high road; not that I need that from her). The sibling relationship was precious, however.
There also these little moments with Dallas and Winston that highlight how toxic masculinity can fuck up your relationships and I loved where they both end up in the finale of the book.
Now, the rest of the actual plot was not totally for me. I know many people love small town settings where everyone is up in each other's business, and the charm that comes with local summer festival/pageantry/thing but it was a bit much for me.
Also a new favourite quote, I love this so much.
Calling myself queer felt like standing under a kind stranger's umbrella in an unexpected rainstorm. I might not use it forever, but at the moment, it was exactly what I needed.