The Sealey Challenge Day 1! August 1. Glass and Feathers by Lissa Sloan
Lissa Sloan uses the Cinderella fairy tale among others in Glass and Feathers to showcase limiting thoughts that most people have at one time or another. Her protagonist has fears both valid and those that are self-inflicted by lack of self-worth. Afterall, when one is not born royalty, one feels that it can be lost at any moment. The imposter syndrome feels close and accurate. Every time there is an error or a mannerism that the protagonist perceives as wrong, she feels it means “failure."
The inner torture of the character as the book progresses is profound. At the same time as the protagonist’s conflict is explored, inner strength is being built to match it. Sloan braids the two together flawlessly. With the imposter syndrome, grief is explored in many variations. From grief of the glass slippers not fitting and she herself not being perfect, to grief as a close friend dies, to losing the self she outgrows. In the process, she becomes who she wants to be versus who she thinks others want her to be. Just as her adventures allow her more and more freedom, her negative thoughts diminish. Doubt is explored throughout, but doubt is part of making choices and in truth, in living. How Sloan captures those doubts allows for a completely authentic experience.
Because the inner narrative is so strong and precise, the reader is able to journey through the novel and find something of themselves in every action if not also in every character. Other characters are introduced besides the Cinderella protagonist, and they are just loveable and fallible and feel very real. The accuracy of the portrayals is astounding and if the characters are believable, any plotline is as well.
This Cinderella based novel is stunning. Glass and Feathers allows the reader to find themselves looking at their old shoes that no longer fit and finding the courage to buy new ones and have the strength to smile and accept that while they do not have their old feet, they do have themselves.
Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most Book Stores!!!
Comments