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A review by spacerkip
Quiver by Julia Watts
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a good book, an easy read, and really quick once I sat down and dedicated time to finishing it. I really appreciated the nuanced approach to the "middle ground" mindset that gets mentioned any time there are people from two opposing "sides" - accept people as they are and don't try to change them. I feel like not enough emphasis was made on why that argument often falls short, but I don't disagree with the lesson both girls learned by the end.
I will say, as a religious person who grew up well-aquainted with people like Libby's family, the book didn't grasp just how insidious and far-reaching spiritual abuse is. The core of their beliefs and family dynamics were true, but I felt more subtlety was necessary. At times, Libby's father and siblings sounded like cartoon villains. Which, yes, people do say all of the things that pop up throughout the book. But not all the time, and not quite so frankly. I would've appreciated more story time devoted to what it looks like to extricate yourself from that kind of thinking. The work you need to put into healing and building a better understanding of the world. The epilogue was nice, but I would have loved to see the actual process it took Libby and her family to get there instead of a time skip.
Ultimately though, I enjoyed it and recommend it for anyone curious about what it's like to grow up conservative Christian.
I will say, as a religious person who grew up well-aquainted with people like Libby's family, the book didn't grasp just how insidious and far-reaching spiritual abuse is. The core of their beliefs and family dynamics were true, but I felt more subtlety was necessary. At times, Libby's father and siblings sounded like cartoon villains. Which, yes, people do say all of the things that pop up throughout the book. But not all the time, and not quite so frankly. I would've appreciated more story time devoted to what it looks like to extricate yourself from that kind of thinking. The work you need to put into healing and building a better understanding of the world. The epilogue was nice, but I would have loved to see the actual process it took Libby and her family to get there instead of a time skip.
Ultimately though, I enjoyed it and recommend it for anyone curious about what it's like to grow up conservative Christian.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia
religious trauma, spiritual abuse