The Best Niece in Australia recommended this, along with The Ickabog, to me. One of these things is not like the others!
Its heavy going. Scarlett was heavily scarred in an auto accident, and learns a lesson about beauty being on the inside from a family she meets in the remote mountains she escaped to with her father. Its a tough lesson, since she’s been taught by her grandmother that her physical beauty is an intrinsic part of her value as a person.
Gran was really on point. This is something we see in our family at times, too, that internalised misogyny where the older generations really do believe it would be awful to have an ugly female child – how will she ever find a husband? We see it when they ask “why was she out so late, wearing such a short skirt?” or “I’ve seen a lot of stories like this, she’s making it up.” There’s real damage there that needs to be examined and unpacked, so we don’t pass it on any further.
The story itself hits all the hero’s journey points, with a lot of tears on my part.
Important to note: they do not kill the dog.
Important to note (2): Scarlett’s new mountain boy friend has dreadlocks. You’re welcome. I didn’t realise until the second last page, and was SHOCKED.