A review by helterskelliter
A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
5.0
“My running is crying and praying and screaming. It is saying that I don’t know what to do but that I must do something. That I must use my voice, because it’s the only thing you have sometimes when someone or something is larger and more powerful than you.” (334)
This is such a beautiful story about processing trauma and working through grief at your own pace. Annabelle’s sorrow and grief are so raw, her desire to flee from everything she feels she couldn’t stop so painfully articulated. Her guilt is a burden we feel with each step of this journey. It hurts, moving forward. But, it’s agonizing to stand still, to do nothing.
I want to move forward with Annabelle. I want Annabelle to move forward. To be free.
I really like how this story depicts trauma as cyclical, as something that must be faced again and again. It’s small actions everyday that get you through big challenges. But, this story also addresses how some problems are not individual ones. Some issues, like gun control, need advocates but also action at higher levels. Doing nothing solves nothing, though. We must all take steps forward, even if it hurts. Especially because it hurts.
I just really how this story captures the pain and beauty of surviving. It’s hard work to move on, to move forward. It’s hard work everyday. It’s a decision everyday to move forward. Some days are so hard, some memories so vivid. Some questions, some “what if’s” are so loud. They beat in time with your heart until it feels like you don’t have a heart anymore. Just a big question mark, a big “why” in place of your heart. It hurts to survive. It can be so ugly. Feel so ugly. But, it’s worth it. You are worth it.
Truly, a heartbreakingly wonderful book that I can’t recommend enough~
This is such a beautiful story about processing trauma and working through grief at your own pace. Annabelle’s sorrow and grief are so raw, her desire to flee from everything she feels she couldn’t stop so painfully articulated. Her guilt is a burden we feel with each step of this journey. It hurts, moving forward. But, it’s agonizing to stand still, to do nothing.
I want to move forward with Annabelle. I want Annabelle to move forward. To be free.
I really like how this story depicts trauma as cyclical, as something that must be faced again and again. It’s small actions everyday that get you through big challenges. But, this story also addresses how some problems are not individual ones. Some issues, like gun control, need advocates but also action at higher levels. Doing nothing solves nothing, though. We must all take steps forward, even if it hurts. Especially because it hurts.
I just really how this story captures the pain and beauty of surviving. It’s hard work to move on, to move forward. It’s hard work everyday. It’s a decision everyday to move forward. Some days are so hard, some memories so vivid. Some questions, some “what if’s” are so loud. They beat in time with your heart until it feels like you don’t have a heart anymore. Just a big question mark, a big “why” in place of your heart. It hurts to survive. It can be so ugly. Feel so ugly. But, it’s worth it. You are worth it.
Truly, a heartbreakingly wonderful book that I can’t recommend enough~