C.G. Drews's Reviews > The Wicker King

[read 3 | Dec 2019]
because I just needed to feel my heart absolutely melt in my chest before this year ends. I teared up in the author letter AGAIN and I seriously am just over here feeling thoughtful and sad, but in a good way. This book so deeply means a lot to me. I think the thing that stood out to me in this read is: how you can do your best and still fail, but it's not your fault. Please don't beat yourself up or hate yourself for failing when you tried so so hard.

also they all deserves more soft naps 😫 I have too many emotions. i am a mess.

The Wicker King was beautiful -- brilliant, mad, sick, free. He kissed the blisters on the palms of August's hands. "Thank you. Thank you..."

August put the gasoline can down and waited. Jack lit his cigarette, holding it between strong white teeth before passing it over. Like a secondhand kiss on a breath of ash.

Then, with a resolute and terrible sorrow, Jack cradled August's cheek in his nervously shaking hands and kissed him.

"It's not weak. My mom once told me that being alone makes you feel weaker every day, even if you're not," he said quietly. "But it's not as bad if you're with other people who are alone, too. We can hold each other up like a card tower."

[read 2 | May 2018]
Yes I only waited like 5 months to reread this and I'm here to say I am jUST AS IN LOVE WITH IT AS EVER. I still (nearly) cried at the author's note. My heart still sort of beats messily all over the place for this book and these boys and their illnesses and their story, which is part magic and part poison.

juST GO I'M FINE I'M HAVING A CRISIS I LOVE IT TOO MUCH.


[read 1 | January 2018]
JUST SO WE'RE FRIKKIN' CLEAR: THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF MY LIFE. I actually teared up. I actually think part of my soul fell out. I actually care so much about this book I'm just a mess. aghiaglihasfdkl It's really brutal and sad and yet beautiful. It's about mental illness and codependency and unhealthy relationships and neglect and kids just trying to cope the best they can.

It is flawed. It is a flawed story about flawed boys. But can we rewind to the part where I just said: they are trying to cope and hold the world on their shoulders the best they can. And they absolutely mess up. But they try.

I also think this is the kind of book that is more than the words on page. There's lots of suppressed feelings and emotions and underlying psychological reasons and causes. So go in expecting kids to fuck up because THEY DO.

And the mental health rep was just...it was so good. August has definitely got anxiety by the end and I won't go into what Jack has (the book will tell you!) but he's seeing things that aren't there and absolutely losing control. Like they are both so messed up and their relationship is complicated and often unhealthy...but they both needed something and someone to rely on an a constant in their life AND THEY CHOSE EACH OTHER.

ahdisalghldks

Also fully incredible formatting of the book!! As things spiral townwards the pages got blackened and smudgy!! And there's drawings and photos and maps all through out, so it's like a visual experience as well as words! Also the chapters are mega short, like snapshots of their life and I LOVED THAT.

Also I just love books that can actually hit me so emotionally?! (Plus, not gonna lie, this really reminds me of a book I've written so you can just imagine I had a lot of feels from that too.) But I want books that make you think. I want books about flawed people and bad decisions and that desperation to survive when the world is sinking you. Incredible writing. Incredible characters. I just...I care so much about August and Jack. <3

(Also I've seen people say this has queer-baiting?! IT'S REALLY NOT FFS.)

Anyway, I REALLY LOVED THIS ONE. (If you couldn't tell.) The author's note made me fully tear up and I just think...agh. It just has such a strong voice, marvellous writing, and talks so deeply about mental health and emotional ruin and unhealthy relationships and just need. Flat out: NEED. Anyway I'm just going to go flop on the floor. This was everything I hoped it'd be.