A review by tcbueti
Edges by Léna Roy
4.0
Unusual and involving novel about two teens resolving family issues about grief, independence and alcoholism. 16-year-old Luke left New York to escape his father's spiral back into alcoholism after his wife's death in a car accident. Luke has come to Moab, Utah--it's a place his family had visited in happier times--and is working at a youth hostel there. The hostel's new owners, Jim and Clare, bought the place to start their lives over after Clare's mom's death. In alternating chapters, their 19-year-old daughter Ava, a college student in New York, struggles with her own grief over her grandmother's death, and with her desire to stop the drinking she started during her grandmother's illness. She had insisted to her parents that she was fine, and they believed her--but she's mad that they seemed not to care much about her--not enough to see that she had a drinking problem. The link between the two teens is her AA sponsor, Charlie, who was once sponsored by Luke's dad, Frank. Eventually the link is discovered, and rather than being too much of a coincidence, it's explained as "serendipity" or the actions of a higher power. Luke is also exploring the powers of shamans, spirit guides and other Native American beliefs, so this all feels like it makes enough sense. They all end up in Moab, and at first Luke is furious that his very ill father has come to invade his new-found sense of purpose and balance, while Ava is jealous that her parents seem have found themselves, and helped their young guests (especially Luke) at her expense. They each gradually find a tentative peace, with the beauty of the desert to help them. Both gritty and hopeful, a tough combination to pull off.
For kids whose family members struggle with addiction, or who may have their own problems with it, this book may be reassuring, or at least let them know they're not alone. And for kids weighing the idea of independence versus parental involvement, there is a lot to think about here.
NB Westchester County, NY author.
For kids whose family members struggle with addiction, or who may have their own problems with it, this book may be reassuring, or at least let them know they're not alone. And for kids weighing the idea of independence versus parental involvement, there is a lot to think about here.
NB Westchester County, NY author.