A review by esdeecarlson
Where I Can't Follow by Ashley Blooms
5.0
[This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review]
5 stars
This is a moving, powerful piece of speculative fiction set in the Appalachian hills. Though it’s not a particularly long book, I found myself taking my time moving through it, letting each page unfold in due time. The language is just beautiful, and the characters both raw, real, and somehow elevated.
This is perhaps the best depiction of depression I’ve read in a long time, if ever. I found that I completely understood Maren’s feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Even having been there myself, in many books a character’s depression is described in a way that makes it seem strangely other from themselves, a demon we wish they could just throw off their backs; and yet, even with the depression being described metaphorically as Maren’s ‘fog,’ I still understood and felt the way it was ingrained in her, and empathized with Maren’s mindset even as I wished for better things for her.
The doors are an obvious metaphor, but that doesn’t take away from their power. They work so well, are used so well, are crafted so well; I neither found myself yearning for more information nor feeling like they were over-explained.
At its core, this is a book about choice and autonomy: about the need human beings have for self-determination, for good or ill, and the fact that that very autonomy doesn’t mean not having the support of a community of kin. This was beautifully and very carefully imparted.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, as a piece of very literary, very speculative, and very accessible, relatable fiction.
5 stars
This is a moving, powerful piece of speculative fiction set in the Appalachian hills. Though it’s not a particularly long book, I found myself taking my time moving through it, letting each page unfold in due time. The language is just beautiful, and the characters both raw, real, and somehow elevated.
This is perhaps the best depiction of depression I’ve read in a long time, if ever. I found that I completely understood Maren’s feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Even having been there myself, in many books a character’s depression is described in a way that makes it seem strangely other from themselves, a demon we wish they could just throw off their backs; and yet, even with the depression being described metaphorically as Maren’s ‘fog,’ I still understood and felt the way it was ingrained in her, and empathized with Maren’s mindset even as I wished for better things for her.
The doors are an obvious metaphor, but that doesn’t take away from their power. They work so well, are used so well, are crafted so well; I neither found myself yearning for more information nor feeling like they were over-explained.
At its core, this is a book about choice and autonomy: about the need human beings have for self-determination, for good or ill, and the fact that that very autonomy doesn’t mean not having the support of a community of kin. This was beautifully and very carefully imparted.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough, as a piece of very literary, very speculative, and very accessible, relatable fiction.