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abbie_ 's review for:
Here is the Beehive
by Sarah Crossan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(#gifted @bloomsburypublishing) Having never read Sarah Crossan's YA stuff, which she is apparently very well-known for, I actually think I was in a better position to appreciate this novel. I'm not sure what her existing fans will make of her first foray into adult fiction, depicting a woman trying to cope with the death of her lover, when no one knows they were having an affair. It's written in the same verse style as her young adult fiction, so hopefully they can get on board with her new subject matter! But if you do actually have young adults in your life who love her, who are on the younger side of young, be aware there is some ~adult content~ in here!
Usually when a novel involves cheating, I don't care for it. But this premise was so interesting that I couldn't help but be drawn in. You don't have to like the characters, and I don't think Crossan intends us to. It's just interesting to think about - imagine grieving for someone you've been intimately involved with for three years, but no one knows and so you have to turn your grief inwards. Crossan explores what that might do to a person, and it's very messy.
I liked the back-and-forth structure of the novel, as it reminded me of Saltwater by Jessica Andrews, who structured her book Saltwater by writing it and then cutting it up and shuffling the pieces around on the kitchen floor. A similar effect is achieved here, with time jumps separated only by line breaks. One minute we're in the present with Ana struggling to conceal her feelings, the next we're three years back, the affair just beginning. I've always been a fan of multiple timelines, but I understand why some readers might find it jarring!
Finally, we have Crossan's unique style. For the most part, I enjoyed the verse. Sometimes it's hugely effective at communicating a certain feeling, like loss or confusion or loneliness. Occasionally I just felt like I was reading prose. I don't know why she uses it, but I have to admit it makes for compelling and emotional storytelling!
This one is out in August, all you Crossan fans!
Usually when a novel involves cheating, I don't care for it. But this premise was so interesting that I couldn't help but be drawn in. You don't have to like the characters, and I don't think Crossan intends us to. It's just interesting to think about - imagine grieving for someone you've been intimately involved with for three years, but no one knows and so you have to turn your grief inwards. Crossan explores what that might do to a person, and it's very messy.
I liked the back-and-forth structure of the novel, as it reminded me of Saltwater by Jessica Andrews, who structured her book Saltwater by writing it and then cutting it up and shuffling the pieces around on the kitchen floor. A similar effect is achieved here, with time jumps separated only by line breaks. One minute we're in the present with Ana struggling to conceal her feelings, the next we're three years back, the affair just beginning. I've always been a fan of multiple timelines, but I understand why some readers might find it jarring!
Finally, we have Crossan's unique style. For the most part, I enjoyed the verse. Sometimes it's hugely effective at communicating a certain feeling, like loss or confusion or loneliness. Occasionally I just felt like I was reading prose. I don't know why she uses it, but I have to admit it makes for compelling and emotional storytelling!
This one is out in August, all you Crossan fans!