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A review by etoile75
How To Be Brave by Daisy May Johnson
5.0
Every so often, a book comes along that, despite being firmly anchored in the tradition of British children’s literature, is like no other. “How to be Brave” is one of those books.
This is a book that expertly weaves motifs of traditional school stories with elements contemporary life, making it both timeless and very much of its time*
The school might be look like a traditional boarding school (it’s really not), the majority of its students might look privileged, but at the heart of the tale is a much loved child that knows hardship, worring whether bills will be paid, receiving parcels from the food bank. And love, love in all its forms, defines this story. Parents do need to be out of the way for children to have a proper adventure, but it is never of any doubt that Calla is loved and cherished by her mother.
Of course there is adventure galore, clever and resourceful children, plenty of baking talk too, as well as a good dose of rebellion against the rules; all quintessential to good school story.
The use of footnotes (much underused in literature in my opinion) is a glorious addition. It brilliantly showcases the author’s agile repartee (mentions of dress with pockets and musings on custard creams, to mention a few) and allows the narrator to build a special relationship with the reader. We know how the narrator feels, they invite us in, we are not just bystanders.
It’s glorious, it really is, to the very end**. And there is no doubt about it: Calla, her mother, her friends, the splendid blessing of nuns*** and their creator Daisy May Johnson are a new force to be reckoned with.
* I know, I didn’t think it made sense either. But you’ll understand exactly what I mean when you read it.
** Spoiler: I cried.
***I never thought I’d ever write this in a review!
This is a book that expertly weaves motifs of traditional school stories with elements contemporary life, making it both timeless and very much of its time*
The school might be look like a traditional boarding school (it’s really not), the majority of its students might look privileged, but at the heart of the tale is a much loved child that knows hardship, worring whether bills will be paid, receiving parcels from the food bank. And love, love in all its forms, defines this story. Parents do need to be out of the way for children to have a proper adventure, but it is never of any doubt that Calla is loved and cherished by her mother.
Of course there is adventure galore, clever and resourceful children, plenty of baking talk too, as well as a good dose of rebellion against the rules; all quintessential to good school story.
The use of footnotes (much underused in literature in my opinion) is a glorious addition. It brilliantly showcases the author’s agile repartee (mentions of dress with pockets and musings on custard creams, to mention a few) and allows the narrator to build a special relationship with the reader. We know how the narrator feels, they invite us in, we are not just bystanders.
It’s glorious, it really is, to the very end**. And there is no doubt about it: Calla, her mother, her friends, the splendid blessing of nuns*** and their creator Daisy May Johnson are a new force to be reckoned with.
* I know, I didn’t think it made sense either. But you’ll understand exactly what I mean when you read it.
** Spoiler: I cried.
***I never thought I’d ever write this in a review!