A review by garytay23
A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
5.0
I don't even know where to begin with this book. Such a masterpiece in so many ways.
Firstly, the running. Finally, a book about running where the author did some research about running before writing the darn thing. The chafing, the fueling, the different trails she took, the solitude, the toll it has on your body, a lot of it felt right and well-written as a runner. Having running as the background of her story was a good vehicle for her to grow, move forward and raise awareness. Unlike other novels I've read, including running in this story felt on theme, necessary to the story AND still accurate and well researched. Granted I haven't run across the country so I'll be sure to update my review when I do.
Next, Annabelle's background/why she's running. Man did that hit home. I feel like it's unfortunately not an isolated experience as a high school girl to have a boy that pushes boundaries or is unhealthily interested in you. Watching her relationship with the Taker develop and twist was honestly captivating in a sad way. I liked how the author didn't immediately tell us the inciting incident between the two, instead focusing on the trauma and the recovery afterwards for Annabelle. It was a good kind of slow burn where we slowly learn her story and what happened as she's simultaneously learning how to process it and move forward. Additionally, I liked how Annabelle wasn't completely innocent in this situation, but also the blame wasn't pinned on her either. (To be clear, she in no way deserved what happened. The book just let us know that she was a flawed teenager who could do some mean things sometimes.)
Lastly, I think the message about gun violence was done pretty well. It felt a little rushed in at the end, but with the setup of us not fully knowing Annabelle's story til closer to the end, it makes sense. The conclusion of her journey was so touching and just left me thinking for a long long time.
If you're looking for a good running YA that has a powerful protagonist and meaningful messages, I would highly recommend this one. It is a heavier book but well worth the read.
Firstly, the running. Finally, a book about running where the author did some research about running before writing the darn thing. The chafing, the fueling, the different trails she took, the solitude, the toll it has on your body, a lot of it felt right and well-written as a runner. Having running as the background of her story was a good vehicle for her to grow, move forward and raise awareness. Unlike other novels I've read, including running in this story felt on theme, necessary to the story AND still accurate and well researched. Granted I haven't run across the country so I'll be sure to update my review when I do.
Spoiler
no wayNext, Annabelle's background/why she's running. Man did that hit home. I feel like it's unfortunately not an isolated experience as a high school girl to have a boy that pushes boundaries or is unhealthily interested in you. Watching her relationship with the Taker develop and twist was honestly captivating in a sad way. I liked how the author didn't immediately tell us the inciting incident between the two, instead focusing on the trauma and the recovery afterwards for Annabelle.
Spoiler
(Honestly that should be the focus in real life events like these. Why do we focus so much on the instigator of violence and not the people it harmed?)Spoiler
She didn't enter the relationship with the Taker with the best of intentions, and even arguably was using him at times. The book doesn't hold back in painting her as a flawed person who made mistakes with the boy. However, it also doesn't blame her for the shooting and the fallout after. Even if she was being a bad friend and playing the field somewhat, she didn't deserve to die or have her friends die in such an awful way The Taker's reaction is in no way a healthy or acceptable one, and the book makes sure to make that clear. It all felt very real. I was glad Annabelle wasn't a perfect angel, she was a teenage girl who made mistakes and bad choices, but a boy felt entitled to her and to revenge and took things way too far.Lastly, I think the message about gun violence was done pretty well. It felt a little rushed in at the end, but with the setup of us not fully knowing Annabelle's story til closer to the end, it makes sense. The conclusion of her journey was so touching and just left me thinking for a long long time.
If you're looking for a good running YA that has a powerful protagonist and meaningful messages, I would highly recommend this one. It is a heavier book but well worth the read.