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A review by spektriva
The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I expected this to be an impactful read from what I'd heard about but it still surprised me with how much it touched me.
The crane and magical realism employed are an excellent tool to explore abuse and the cycles that perpetuate it, as well as how strong of an impact this has on children that witness it, even if they are not direct victims of it themselves. Beyond this, I was even more affected by how the story also has an honest look into how putting undue responsibility on the shoulders of a child robs them of their childhood and stunts their emotional growth. And though you feel so much frustration and resentment towards the mother, you also can't help but empathize and pity her as a victim of her history and patterns of behavior.
The writing is gorgeous and evocative, particularly when describing the mother and her art, as well as the late father, with plainer but brutal language used when touching on the abuse.
The crane and magical realism employed are an excellent tool to explore abuse and the cycles that perpetuate it, as well as how strong of an impact this has on children that witness it, even if they are not direct victims of it themselves. Beyond this, I was even more affected by how the story also has an honest look into how putting undue responsibility on the shoulders of a child robs them of their childhood and stunts their emotional growth. And though you feel so much frustration and resentment towards the mother, you also can't help but empathize and pity her as a victim of her history and patterns of behavior.
The writing is gorgeous and evocative, particularly when describing the mother and her art, as well as the late father, with plainer but brutal language used when touching on the abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death