Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!!
I’m not crying! My eyes are just watering….
I knew what I was getting into with this novella because I’ve read different variations of the folktale The Crane Wife, and it always leaves me devastated.
This, though? This, in particular, really got inside and had my heart beating for this family. A 15 year old girl is narrating in first person through this story. I think the author’s choice to leave this character so open to interpretation made her more relatable, not just to me, but I imagine, to many other readers as well. This is a hard-hitting quick read.
This 15 year old girl lives on a farm with her younger brother and artist mother. Her mother is quite flighty and has different men over for sleep-overs frequently. But, when the Crane man comes, everything gets bad fast.
The narrator takes care of the household and her little brother, even her mom’s finances and artwork sales. When this giant Crane appears, her mother is infatuated with him, although he leaves her bruised and bloody. This story is about domestic violence and child negligence, and I’ll admit, it’s difficult to read at parts, but this story ends with a powerful message and strength.
I loved this so much and highly recommend it. There are content warnings for physical abuse and child negligence.
Out February 28, 2023!
Book Oracle 