A review by readwriterobyn
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott

dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: self-harm, suicide, death, PTSD, cross-generational trauma, genocide, infant/child harm

This book crushed me in all the right ways. I rarely, rarely read stories that are sad or heart-wrenching, as I prefer my fiction to be upbeat or dark (but not sad). This one takes the cake for me. I was sobbing the last few chapters–enough that it made my fiancĂ© determined to read the book after me. He knows I don’t cry at books. But this one got me. 

The story crossed generations, continents, and tragedies as it unfolded, mixing Jewish folklore with a modern urban setting. My favorite characters were the house (with the titular name of Thislefoot) and Winnie (no spoilers, but she’s a clear winner). Thistlefoot’s perspective was fascinating: every story it told us could be the truth, an utter fabrication, or somewhere between the two. And it blatantly tells you that multiple times over the course of the story. I haven’t read anything like it.

It was also a unique study in relationships–mothers/daughters, siblings, crowd/performers, townspeople/outsiders, civilians/military, past/present, self/others, ghosts/living, alive/inanimate (and what it means to be “alive”). There was so much packed within this book, that it’s hard to imagine it was a debut book.

Additionally, now that it’s sat on my shelf for a few weeks, I find myself thinking about the message of the story a lot. There’s a lot to say, but I loved (and believe in) the idea that history and its traumas transcend time, space, and distance to be heard; they demand to not be forgotten. 

My only quibble about the story was that it was very thick, and I had to be entirely focused to read it. Otherwise, I felt I couldn’t absorb all of the information and themes presented. As a bedtime reader, this was challenging and it took me longer to read than other novels of similar size.

Overall, if you like descriptive writing with metaphors and symbolism, multiple POVs, emotional damage, cross-generational trauma and the stories that come with them, all with a dash of magic, then this is a must-read for you. 
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