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A review by lightfoxing
Tradition by Brendan Kiely
5.0
Damn, son.
The highest praise I can offer Brendan Kiely is that Tradition reminds me in all of the best ways of Exit, Pursued by a Bear (E.K. Johnston). Different, but the same. Tackling the same topic in different ways. Where E.K. Johnston explores rape and its aftermath, subverting the narrative of rape victim as weak, as in need of rebuilding, providing us instead with a willful and determined Hermione who puts herself back together with the help of her community, Brendan Kiely explores this, but also examines the cultural constructs that make situations like Johnston's Hermione, like Brock Turner, like like like possible. He examines rape culture, machismo cultures, locker room talk, and he tears them down through the strength of Bax, of Jules, of Aileen, of Javi. There may not be a more important book published this year, in terms of the #metoo movement, not for teenagers, maybe not for adults. Bax, Jules, Aileen, Javi are all incredible, important, delightful, even delicious characters in their differences, their similarities, their strengths and their weaknesses. The supporting cast is convincing. We've all known a Mr. Patterson, a Hackett, a Freddie, a Gillian. They help breathe life into the world he's created at Fullbrook.
Thank you, Brendan Kiely. I said no, too, but in a world where people whispered the aftermath instead of feeling empowered to discuss it out loud. Your contributions to that empowerment are important.
The highest praise I can offer Brendan Kiely is that Tradition reminds me in all of the best ways of Exit, Pursued by a Bear (E.K. Johnston). Different, but the same. Tackling the same topic in different ways. Where E.K. Johnston explores rape and its aftermath, subverting the narrative of rape victim as weak, as in need of rebuilding, providing us instead with a willful and determined Hermione who puts herself back together with the help of her community, Brendan Kiely explores this, but also examines the cultural constructs that make situations like Johnston's Hermione, like Brock Turner, like like like possible. He examines rape culture, machismo cultures, locker room talk, and he tears them down through the strength of Bax, of Jules, of Aileen, of Javi. There may not be a more important book published this year, in terms of the #metoo movement, not for teenagers, maybe not for adults. Bax, Jules, Aileen, Javi are all incredible, important, delightful, even delicious characters in their differences, their similarities, their strengths and their weaknesses. The supporting cast is convincing. We've all known a Mr. Patterson, a Hackett, a Freddie, a Gillian. They help breathe life into the world he's created at Fullbrook.
Thank you, Brendan Kiely. I said no, too, but in a world where people whispered the aftermath instead of feeling empowered to discuss it out loud. Your contributions to that empowerment are important.