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A review by xeni
Ink by Sabrina Vourvoulias
4.0
The best word I can use to describe this book is 'compelling'. Once I started reading it, I was whisked into this alternate US landscape and I could not put the book down until I finish it. I read the entire thing in one session, which I rarely do these days.
But it was by no means an easy read, or a fun read, or a heartwarming read, which is primarily why I am not sure how to articulate my thoughts about this book.
It takes some of the worst atrocities that we see happening in the US in the last handful of years and extrapolates that to a dreadful conclusion similar to WWII Germany. What makes the events so painful to read, I feel, is because they could so easily occur. Thinking back on the BLM protests, what we see among Q and Antivax supporters denying reality right in front of their eyes, and how most people just go on with their daily lives even though climate change is wrecking havoc all around us, all of these have been clear mirrors reflecting humanity, and this book creates a similar mirror.
I loved the magical realism aspects. It's been a long long time since I came across a magical realism book I found both interesting and wanting to believe in it. So often I've felt that the magical realism of recent publications has to be darker, grittier, rougher, meaner. And here there was some of that, but also the whimsicalness of previous generations embrace of magical realism returned.
The part I found least believable was the ending. But upon reflection since finishing the book, it too makes sense. Once hardship passes people will put in a lot of effort to pretend it never happened. Life feels safer that way. It's unfortunate, but also truthful.
Ultimately, I feel Sabrina Vourvoulias captured the essence of truth in it's myriad forms through these protagonists and their individual stories which make up the whole. There is a smoothing of the edges, there is a rose-colored filter applied for us to see through, but it's still a very important and beautiful piece of art.
EDIT: Two questions I have about events:
1.
2.
But it was by no means an easy read, or a fun read, or a heartwarming read, which is primarily why I am not sure how to articulate my thoughts about this book.
It takes some of the worst atrocities that we see happening in the US in the last handful of years and extrapolates that to a dreadful conclusion similar to WWII Germany. What makes the events so painful to read, I feel, is because they could so easily occur. Thinking back on the BLM protests, what we see among Q and Antivax supporters denying reality right in front of their eyes, and how most people just go on with their daily lives even though climate change is wrecking havoc all around us, all of these have been clear mirrors reflecting humanity, and this book creates a similar mirror.
I loved the magical realism aspects. It's been a long long time since I came across a magical realism book I found both interesting and wanting to believe in it. So often I've felt that the magical realism of recent publications has to be darker, grittier, rougher, meaner. And here there was some of that, but also the whimsicalness of previous generations embrace of magical realism returned.
The part I found least believable was the ending. But upon reflection since finishing the book, it too makes sense. Once hardship passes people will put in a lot of effort to pretend it never happened. Life feels safer that way. It's unfortunate, but also truthful.
Ultimately, I feel Sabrina Vourvoulias captured the essence of truth in it's myriad forms through these protagonists and their individual stories which make up the whole. There is a smoothing of the edges, there is a rose-colored filter applied for us to see through, but it's still a very important and beautiful piece of art.
EDIT: Two questions I have about events:
1.
Spoiler
Why did John cut up Abbie like that? We had no inkling that that was at all in his personality or being? It came so suddenly out of the blue, I was asking if it even happened. And then he just let her walk away? I don't get it.2.