Book Review: Among Others by Jo Walton
It is 1979, and Morwenna Phelps is no longer blessed with a living twin. The same accident shattered her hip and leg so that she cannot run or dance, or even exist without pain. Her beloved grandfather had a stroke, and cannot care for her, and her mother is broken in…other ways. So she ran away and Child Services got involved. Which is why she’s now in the custody of her absentee father Daniel Markova and enrolled in a boarding school under the name Morwenna Markova.
Arlinghurst is in England, with all that means to a teenage girl from Wales. She doesn’t fit in for oh so many reasons, so she takes refuge in her love for science fiction books. Now if she could get the local fairies to talk to her!
This fantasy novel, told in a series of journal entries, won both a Hugo and a Nebula, considered important prizes in the speculative fiction field. It’s been re-released under the “Tor Essentials” line.
Over the course of time from September 1979 to February 1980, Morwenna deals with her new school, trying to heal from her losses, adolescent physical and emotional changes, and reads lots of books while we slowly learn important bits of the backstory. This is a bibliophile’s book, as Morwenna has opinions about what she’s read, and bonds with other people based on their mutual love of science fiction. There’s also a bit of current events going on in the background, which I remember some as I am about the same age as supporting character Wim.
This book fits pretty well into the young adult age category, and bright readers about Morwenna’s age should be able to enjoy it. But the literary references do fly thick and fast, and having read some of those other books will enhance your enjoyment. (The author has also written a book on which science fiction and fantasy books she loves and why, which would make a good companion volume.) Morwenna does a lot of growing up, and grapples with ethical issues around the use of magic. The fairies are not precisely those from fairy tales, and Morwenna didn’t always understand that or them.
Oh, and there is an introduction by Ursula K. LeGuin explaining why she likes the book.
Content note: Morwenna’s mother is emotionally and physically abusive. Discussion of female puberty body changes. Attempted sexual abuse in the backstory. Discussion of sexuality; several of the Arlinghurst students are sexually active, there’s sexual touching, and Wim’s previous girlfriend had a pregnancy scare. Underage drinking. Ethnic/religious prejudice.
Overall: Not quite my cup of tea, but well-written. Recommended primarily to bibliophilic teenage girls, but bibliophiles of all ages and genders should be able to enjoy it.
