Lo answers “Does the book have a satisfying ending?...”

Maiya asked this question about Damsel:

Does the book have a satisfying ending? Not necessarily happy but will the end have me feeling dreadful

Lo I realize this question is old, but it's the type of thing I worry about... I'm not afraid of darkness and I'm willing to confront pain and discomfort…moreI realize this question is old, but it's the type of thing I worry about... I'm not afraid of darkness and I'm willing to confront pain and discomfort for a good reason, but there are many books with discouraging, defeatist resolutions that are depressing at best, and extremely harmful to vulnerable people at worst. I often have the same question when considering reading an "ugly" story.

But this book is not a bummer at all! I think it might be inexplicable and unpleasant to folks that haven't experience or learned about abuse, because the dynamics of abusive relationships are the main topic. But for someone who's been abused, the ending is super uplifting and encouraging.

I finished it last night and LOVED the end, even if the book wasn't perfectly written or executed. But today, I'm honestly shocked at how good I feel. It was ultimately very uplifting. But that's from the context of my life, where I've lived through many abusive relationships of many types (parents, boyfriends, bosses, friends, etc) and all the subtle nuances of abuse and how they fundamentally deny your humanity. Then I spent years trying to learn about these dynamics and fighting my way out of a hole, so that I don't have to live them ever again.

In that context, this book is honestly the incredibly disturbing yet feel-good story of the year. I have always wished for a song or something celebrating the experience of leaving an abuser, like there are songs for breakups and makeups, etc. But I just accepted that, in my society, that's not going to happen. This book really filled that niche!(less)

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