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A review by bookishmillennial
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
OH MY GOSH DID THIS BOOK SURPRISE ME!!!!!!
I adored Love & Other Disasters -- I am a simp for London & Dahlia. I am also an avid cooking competition show watcher so the setting was everything for me. This led me to feel kind of underwhelmed with the setting of this book (AT FIRST!!!! Let me finish!!!), which takes place on the Pacific Crest Trail for the most part, with interludes in Nashville, Tennessee & Portland, Oregon (both places that I adore). I am *not* an outdoors hiking gworly so admittedly, I was not as enamored with the scenery as Alexei was. HOWEVER, THIS BECAME A BEAUTIFUL, MOVING SLOW BURN AND IT MADE ME WANT TO HIKE! WHO AM I?!??!!??!!?
I grew up as a Roman Catholic - I attended private Catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, I went to church every Sunday with my family, & I grew up in a bubble, thinking everyone else was Catholic or believed in God/Jesus/Heaven too. I have since then redefined my spirituality and my relationship with the universe/a higher power. I am bisexual, which also took some time to proudly and wholly admit, so I deeply connected to Alexei's inner turmoil as he sifted through the dirt that was his parent's disowning of him & his religious trauma, to find the diamonds in the reality of his new life, post-parents (I really tried with that metaphor lmao. I'm not a writer, just a passionate reader). My parents never disowned me, but I also never declared my sexuality to them. They follow me on social media & my bookstagram/booktok so if they have watched my videos, they know but it's not something we have ever talked about. Anyway, though our situations differ, I have mentally and emotionally been where Alexei has been, wanting to create Brittany 2.0 in the hopes that I could leave the pain and heartbreak of Brittany 1.0 behind. I cannot thank Anita enough for infusing such care, hope, nuance and love into Alexei's arc. Those letters at the end?! I am still crying.
Ben, on the other hand, oh my goodness. Major golden retriever energy and I could not get enough. The sunshine to Alexei's grumpy. I loved both of these characters' reasons for hiking this intimidating, infamous trail! Again, I am not a hiking bb but I loved the messaging behind this both literal and metaphorical journey that it took them on! Gosh, I am so emotional over this book and I really thought it would be a flop during the first 50 pages.
I wish Anita didn't use the phrasing of "Ben was always the one to spazz out," just because I know it can be interpreted as harmful/offensive. Besides that though, I adored this book. I adored Alexei's acceptance of not only himself, but of what his "new normal" could look like without the love or acceptance of his parents. I loved Ben's reflections on what he deserves, & that grand gesture?!?!?!!? I AM FERAL!!!! The steam was a solid 2/5 -- gimme more next time please hahaha.
Otherwise, I will continue to read everything Anita writes. They are amazing. Incredible. Spectacular. And their bio mentions they want you to adopt a dog -- OKAY ANITA, I WILL!!!!! (must discuss with the doggo currently in the household tho lolol)
cw: homophobia, religious trauma, intrusive thoughts, (never named but I'm pretty sure Alexei experienced panic attacks or bouts of anxiety on-page)
I adored Love & Other Disasters -- I am a simp for London & Dahlia. I am also an avid cooking competition show watcher so the setting was everything for me. This led me to feel kind of underwhelmed with the setting of this book (AT FIRST!!!! Let me finish!!!), which takes place on the Pacific Crest Trail for the most part, with interludes in Nashville, Tennessee & Portland, Oregon (both places that I adore). I am *not* an outdoors hiking gworly so admittedly, I was not as enamored with the scenery as Alexei was. HOWEVER, THIS BECAME A BEAUTIFUL, MOVING SLOW BURN AND IT MADE ME WANT TO HIKE! WHO AM I?!??!!??!!?
I grew up as a Roman Catholic - I attended private Catholic school from kindergarten to 8th grade, I went to church every Sunday with my family, & I grew up in a bubble, thinking everyone else was Catholic or believed in God/Jesus/Heaven too. I have since then redefined my spirituality and my relationship with the universe/a higher power. I am bisexual, which also took some time to proudly and wholly admit, so I deeply connected to Alexei's inner turmoil as he sifted through the dirt that was his parent's disowning of him & his religious trauma, to find the diamonds in the reality of his new life, post-parents (I really tried with that metaphor lmao. I'm not a writer, just a passionate reader). My parents never disowned me, but I also never declared my sexuality to them. They follow me on social media & my bookstagram/booktok so if they have watched my videos, they know but it's not something we have ever talked about. Anyway, though our situations differ, I have mentally and emotionally been where Alexei has been, wanting to create Brittany 2.0 in the hopes that I could leave the pain and heartbreak of Brittany 1.0 behind. I cannot thank Anita enough for infusing such care, hope, nuance and love into Alexei's arc. Those letters at the end?! I am still crying.
Ben, on the other hand, oh my goodness. Major golden retriever energy and I could not get enough. The sunshine to Alexei's grumpy. I loved both of these characters' reasons for hiking this intimidating, infamous trail! Again, I am not a hiking bb but I loved the messaging behind this both literal and metaphorical journey that it took them on! Gosh, I am so emotional over this book and I really thought it would be a flop during the first 50 pages.
I wish Anita didn't use the phrasing of "Ben was always the one to spazz out," just because I know it can be interpreted as harmful/offensive. Besides that though, I adored this book. I adored Alexei's acceptance of not only himself, but of what his "new normal" could look like without the love or acceptance of his parents. I loved Ben's reflections on what he deserves, & that grand gesture?!?!?!!? I AM FERAL!!!! The steam was a solid 2/5 -- gimme more next time please hahaha.
Otherwise, I will continue to read everything Anita writes. They are amazing. Incredible. Spectacular. And their bio mentions they want you to adopt a dog -- OKAY ANITA, I WILL!!!!! (must discuss with the doggo currently in the household tho lolol)
cw: homophobia, religious trauma, intrusive thoughts, (never named but I'm pretty sure Alexei experienced panic attacks or bouts of anxiety on-page)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders