Monday, July 13, 2015

Untwine by Edwidge Danticat - ESSENTIAL

Danticat, Edwidge Untwine, 320 pages.  Scholastic, September 2015.  Content: G.  

One minute Giselle, 16, is sitting in the car next to her twin sister on their way to Isabelle’s orchestra concert with their mom and dad.  Next, Giselle is watching Isabelle fly through the air as another car crashes into them.  Next come confusing flashes of voices and lights and activity.  Giselle can occasionally understand what is going on around her, but she feels trapped in her body, unable to communicate.  What she does understand, however, that she has lost her twin, the other half of her soul.  If she does regain herself, how can she continue without Isabelle?

Just writing this summary brings tears to my eyes as I relive this poignant story.  Danticat has delicately woven a narrative that evokes painful feelings, while offering up hope.  You cannot read this and be untouched by it at the end.

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

No comments: