A kaleidoscopic cast that is both flawed and fascinating.
It wouldn’t be accurate to say that Charley has lived a lot in her 29 years. No, she’s seen a lot, been through a lot, endured a lot, but lived a lot might be a stretch. A bad omen on the morning of another lonely birthday does not bode well for this bookstore manager. Admittedly, she doesn’t always deal with things in a healthy way, so these days Charley falls back on her predictable, solitary routine for comfort. When poetry-spouting Xander wanders into City Books, Charley cautiously imagines her life taking a different course, one filled with warm companionship. Of course, this road won’t be easy to travel. Charley’s depression is her oldest and truest companion, one she can’t seem to leave behind. And Xander and his friends are far from perfect, each wrestling with their own secrets, shocks, and tragedies. But that doesn’t prevent them from welcoming Charley into their lively circle of friends. Together, they share in triumphs and turning points, defeats and deceits, and every entanglement of the heart. When Charley finally opens herself up to people, she is reminded why she closed herself off in the first place. But these friendships have been forged in shared experiences and won’t easily be cast aside.
With a bustling contemporary backdrop, a sobering dose of stark realities, and a kaleidoscopic cast that is both flawed and fascinating, Beautiful and Terrible Things reads like a rousing anthem for social evolution. Within this vibrant novel, awareness of injustices is only in the periphery of some who don’t feel a sense of urgency, while others taste it more personally and are active elements for change. As each individual becomes more involved, either by choice or by circumstance, their bonds of friendship are tested and reinforced. One scene depicts Charley talking with a friend about the oppressive weight of depression, comparing it to feeling trapped in fabric so heavy it brings her to her knees. Her summation is chilling in its veracity and is one that will touch many readers on a deep level. From embarrassing habits to shameful memories, the hyperrealistic characters are elegantly portrayed, heightening the sense of connection. A group comprised of differing races, genders, backgrounds, and ethnicities, they are constantly bombarded with racism and ignorance, yet their mutual support and willingness to improve sets a sterling example of human kindness. A potent juxtaposition of things painful to bear and inspiring to behold, Beautiful and Terrible Things is an eloquent novel that fully lives up to its name.
