Still Life with Tornado

by A.S. King

"A talented 16-year-old artist slowly discovers the history of domestic violence behind why her brother left the family years earlier and why she suddenly cannot make art"--

• ISBN10: 1101994886
• ISBN13: 9781101994887
• Publish Date: 11 October 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: E P Dutton & Co Inc
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Bianca]

But now it’s been so long that if I bring it up, I’ll look like a girl who can’t let go of things. Teenage girls always have to let go of things. If we bring up anything, people say we’re bitches who can’t just drop it.

— So much more than what it appeared to be. It's a very refreshing take on abuse and power, with a touch of magical realism. Loved it!

[whisperingchapters]

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.


When I started reading, I wanted to stop reading this book. I couldn't really connect to the main character. I know a lot of people love this book so I pushed forward. I have to say, I was in for a surprise.

Sarah is sixteen years old and she's going through what she calls "existential crisis". After making the decision of dropping out of school due to an incident, Sarah starts to be an observer in life. Her parents don't speak to each other, and if they do, it's to fight. She hasn't seen/heard from her brother in six years. She follows around a homeless guy because she thinks he's an original idea. And Sarah herself is searching for an original idea. That's when she meets 10-year-old Sarah, 23-year-old Sarah, and later on 40-year-old Sarah. The thing is, Sarah's family went on vacation when she was 10-years-old. Sarah has suppressed feelings of that vacation and therefore, doesn't remember what happened. This is when 10-year-old Sarah helps her navigate through those feelings and finally know why her brother left right after that vacation.

Art let me surround myself with something different. Something new. Something real. Something that was mine.

I don't know what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn't what I got. I actually got more than what I thought I would. As I said before, I couldn't connect to Sarah. The way she would be in the beginning was a little bit annoying for me. As I kept reading, her story spoke to me and I ended up seeing myself in her. Despite the magical realism, I loved how real the story felt.

The magical realism was a surprise for me, but I ended up loving it. I'm not a fan of Magical Realism at all, but A.S. King sold it to me with her writing. While reading, I thought 10, 23, and 40-year-old Sarah would help present 16-year-old Sarah figure out her life and her "crisis". I loved that King took a spin here and these characters played a deeper role in the story of Sarah's mom and brother.

This story is told from Sarah's point of view as well as her mom, Helen's point of view. Helen's point of view added a lot of insight into Sarah's life as well as her own. I thought this was a very nice touch since I haven't really read books with a mom's point of view. I felt for Helen on such a deep level. She's such a strong mom and I admired her throughout the entire novel.

I think when you've been abused by someone for a while, it's like being in a cult. The longer you stay, the more brainwashed you get.

Overall, Still Life with Tornado is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching and sensitive novel that will move its readers. King combined a lyrical and simplistic prose to bring a moving, eye-opening story on abuse.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

[Sam@WLABB]

There was something really special about this book. I loved the way King told the story. The way it unfolded. I loved how the events, where Sarah first realized there was a problem, but buried it, were told. I loved the parts where mom told her side of the story, and I loved Sarah. Sarah had such an interesting voice, and I hung on her every word, while the story was fed to me, piece by piece. The magical realism aspect was a bonus which I really enjoyed. What an awesome way to reveal past and future to the reader. A fantastic book, which left my heart a little achy, but in a good way.