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A review by yu01101111
Briony Hatch by Ginny Skinner, Penelope Skinner
4.0
Briony really reminded me of my middle school self but in a sweet way. If I hadn't gone onto social media during that time, I may very well have ended up very similarly to her. Reading this book still felt a little bit cringey but in a way where there's nothing in my heart but kindness for Briony because of her sincerity. And isn't that the heart of cringe? Being so true to yourself that you can't realize how embarrassing your actions may be?
I feel like it definitely could have been longer - I feel like nearly all characters (besides Briony, Hope, and maybe Briony's mother) were very flat and 2d, but it didn't feel completely out of hand given the self-centered experience of adolescence, especially Briony's. At the same time though, I think that feeling could just be because there were very few interactions between Briony and other characters. Most of the book is spent in Briony's head and the writing of her perspective is where it shines because she's such a well defined character with experiences that don't get talked about enough together - maladaptive reading, body image issues, self-centeredness that isn't necessarily selfishness, loserhood, etc etc. Relatable in a very oddly distant way for me but even without me relating to her, she feels solid, like someone who could exist.
Visually, I really loved how the artist didn't shy away from ugliness. There's something flat and alien about a uniform beauty applied to a fictional universe that I've grown to find bland. We get to see Briony's double chin, overhanging belly, and her big curly hair and the vision of beauty to her is skinny but also has an aquiline nose rather than Briony's button one. And it feels like art that Briony could have drawn herself. The nudity/lack of censorship also made it feel more realistic and like it was coming from her own head.
I do kind of wish that it didn't go the supernatural route and that her depression was handled realistically but I think her relationship with Hope was sweet.
I feel like it definitely could have been longer - I feel like nearly all characters (besides Briony, Hope, and maybe Briony's mother) were very flat and 2d, but it didn't feel completely out of hand given the self-centered experience of adolescence, especially Briony's. At the same time though, I think that feeling could just be because there were very few interactions between Briony and other characters. Most of the book is spent in Briony's head and the writing of her perspective is where it shines because she's such a well defined character with experiences that don't get talked about enough together - maladaptive reading, body image issues, self-centeredness that isn't necessarily selfishness, loserhood, etc etc. Relatable in a very oddly distant way for me but even without me relating to her, she feels solid, like someone who could exist.
Visually, I really loved how the artist didn't shy away from ugliness. There's something flat and alien about a uniform beauty applied to a fictional universe that I've grown to find bland. We get to see Briony's double chin, overhanging belly, and her big curly hair and the vision of beauty to her is skinny but also has an aquiline nose rather than Briony's button one. And it feels like art that Briony could have drawn herself. The nudity/lack of censorship also made it feel more realistic and like it was coming from her own head.
I do kind of wish that it didn't go the supernatural route and that her depression was handled realistically but I think her relationship with Hope was sweet.