This is another Young Adult lit book where the heroine, essentially orphaned, finds out she has magical powers and hidden enemies. However, it's not
just another YAL book of this overly-used plot.
Gemma Doyle, born in England but raised in India by her parents, witnesses her mother's murder when she's 16. She's shipped back to England to meet her depressed and now opiate-addicted father and sycophantic brother. However, she doesn't even stay with them for a night; a waiting carriage takes her to Spence Girls' Academy where, in true Victorian fashion, girls are taught proper etiquette, dress, household management, and entertaining skills. Along with the usual fitting-in issues young girls have, Gemma now has to reconcile her mother's death and these strange visions that keep ruing her day.
 |
| Ugh, imagine doing this day in and day out. |
Aside from my appreciation of the detailed historical research Bray has done on Victorian England, I like that she also shows restraint on the telling of the story. This is book one of a trilogy, and Gemma Doyle is an international girl of the Empire; the author could have easily made the series about conspiracies with the government or military. Because of her focus, she's able to deal with more individual issues. Homosexuality, drug addiction, abuse, racism, class issues, immigrant sensitivity, and other adolescent worldly copings are handled appropriately by Bray. Her mother's death and suicides within the girls' school also give ways to handle loss in a teen reader's life. Then, add magic planes of existence and nightmares that aren't so much personal but supernatural!
 |
| Unfortunately, it's not this kind of pretty magic. |
However, many wouldn't like these books for these reasons. Should a YAL book exemplify behavior on these controversial issues? It that what separates YAL from adult fiction? I'd love to hear your reactions!
No comments:
Post a Comment