A Heart in a Body in the World

What an emotional read.

Pay attention to the CWs on this one because this book absolutely does not hold back on the hard parts, but it is definitely to its benefit. This entire story is just so raw and brutal that reading it makes it feel like there's a stone sinking in your stomach, but you still don't want to stop reading. This is a story that needs to be told, needs to be heard.

I love how the author doesn't name The Taker until the very end of the book; names give people power, and people like him don't deserve any of it. I think Annabelle's PTSD was represented really well in this book, especially the parts where even something small: a car playing music, seeing someone checking their mail, or even just the sound of your phone buzzing can set you off.

There's one quote I marked down that I think really sums up the message of this book and what Annabelle was struggling with the most. I'll put it under spoilers but it is just an absolute gut punch to read: ‘She's responsible. She caused these feelings. She encouraged him, she was unclear, and now she's finally being clear. She hurt him, and dealing with that hurt is her job now.'

An incredible and devastating read.

4.5 stars

Trigger Warnings: stalking, rape culture, gun violence, death, trauma

A brilliant book exploring trauma, mental health and recovery in a young teenage girl as she battles with how to live the rest of her life after a traumatic event/

Annabelle has had everything taken from her by ‘The Taker' and she doesn't know what to about it, so she does the only thing she knows how to do anymore: she runs, all the way from Seattle to Washington D.C.. With the support of her family and friends, and the people she meets along the way, she becomes a reluctant activist as she tries outrun her past and avoid her future.

The characters in this book from the protagonist to minor characters all felt deeply routed in reality, with small quirks that individually made them all intriguing but also not so much so that they didn't feel real at any point. The main focus of the characters however was the exploration of the relationships and ties between them, and there was a wide range of types of relationships and the intimacies of each. The nicest thing about these characters and the relationships was how they were all so supportive of Annabelle, which I think only emphasised the importance of being kind and supporting those suffering from a mental illness(es).

Whilst the plot wasn't an incredible adventure, nor was the book fast-paced the story was still enjoyable. Whilst nothing crazy or ridiculous happened to Annabelle in the plot I found myself still turning the page to discover who she met next, or where she was going or what she was going to do. Caletti managed to make Annabelle's mundane running exciting and that is a testament to her brilliant writing.

However, the main highlight and feature of this book that made me give it five stars was how well trauma was represented. This is the first time I've read a book on trauma as someone who suffers with post-traumatic stress and identified with the character. I felt like this could be me, I have felt the things Annabel had felt from the guilt to the despair to the anger, and it was so well done it made me tear up at times. I won't speak much more on the recovery aspect of this book due to spoilers, but it was incredibly well done and I finished the book almost crying (so if you like a good cry this could be for you!)

It is also worth noting that Caletti is an incredible writing talent. She takes a difficult concept and subject in trauma, a slow-paced plot and issues that are very sensitive and somehow manages to create an enjoyable and entertaining story without ever sacrificing the detail and carefulness needed to address these topics well. She is also an incredible emotive writer who regularly made me tear up or left me with a lump in my throat.

Overall it's a fantastic book that covers a lot whilst still remaining constructive and emotive, and I know from now on I will be picking up more of Caletti's books.

Read my full spoiler-free and spoiler reviews on my blog: https://moonlitbooks.home.blog/2020/08/02/aheartinabodyintheworld/

Wow, I am glad I went into this book not really knowing what it was about.
The author does a great job of handling a really relevant topic(s)- in fact, I don't even want to really say what they are as it spoils her slow unraveling of the tragedy the main character faced and her attempts to move past a truly traumatizing event (one that unfortunately is way too much of a reality in this country.) At first I struggled with the 3rd person narration but, as it went on, I understood the choice. It doesn't feel preachy, but is still extremely affecting and effective. It's the kind of book certain people (or extremely powerful lobbying groups.......) should read, but never will. She connects these issues very well to the realities of what it's like to be a woman- especially the way it is so hard to create boundaries that are really respected without ridicule.

I haven't loved past books by Caletti, but this one feels mature while still realistically a focusing on a teenager's experience, thoughts and actions.

Impactful and important considering school shootings are now just another Friday in America.

A Heart in a Body in the World looks at sexism in a refreshing, needed way. Caletti taps into how some boys and men feel entitled to have their desire reciprocated, to the point where they become scary if rejected. She talks about the pressure women feel to say and do things they do not want to protect a man's ego. She also talks about double binds, like how women are expected to somehow be both assertive and self-abdicating.

I also liked how Caletti depicted anger: showing that there are different kinds of anger, and how anger can fuel action. I liked the elements of Italian culture. I liked how Annabelle's brother and friends believed in what she was doing, often more than she could. I thought the author did a good job showing that healing is not linear, and support can take different forms.

This is a heartbreaking and important book about underrepresented aspects of a timely topic. I'm glad I read it, but it left me raw, because it's all too real. I was thrown by some of Caletti's choices —main gripes: some weird body shaming, convenient coupling WITH that trope where multiple generations of two families fall for each other, naming the Taker at the very end (why?), overall pacing—, thus four stars instead of five. But, I wish I had read something like this growing up. It hit me hard.