A Heart in a Body in the World

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/