I took a roundabout path to read Me: Moth by Amber McBride. I had reader copies (mostly online) and then saw the final book was out (losing all my reader copies). I then happened to see the book on a shelf at work, but then noticed it was at my library and since I was not sure if I really wanted to read it, I took it out of the library. It took so long for me to finally get a copy and read that the book had come out in paper and McBride has had about half a dozen books since the publication of it originally. This was her first book. I am glad that I read Me: Moth first, because sometimes the first is not as strong as the following titles, just because they are working out their style and to go “backwards” to it is not as fun of a read. However, this time around, anything I read next has a tough act to follow.
Now, with that said, I actually was debating if I should write up a review for this book. I wanted to love this book. It had all the elements I like: a nice straightforward story, not too many layers that pull you in all directions, making it hard to keep even one storyline straight, and was prose poetry. And, frankly, it looked like it was going to be a heterosexual romance. Now, there is nothing wrong with queer romances, but I had read several recently (or had that element to the story) and I needed/wanted a change of pace. So I was ready for my lovin’ for Moth. Instead of loving it, I came out and had/have a strong liking for it. I like it, but not OMG best ever. Yet, like I said, follow up books will have a time following this book as it was good.
This book starts out familiar enough. Girl has a tragedy in her past. She goes to live with her aunt, who is not dealing well with things, making her invisible to her aunt. School is the same way. Moth, is a girl nobody really notices. Then Girl meets Boy and they immediately connect with an almost obsessive passion. Dance, moths, nature and mental health all play a role. When we start realizing the little details of things are actual big things (Moth and her Hoodoo or Rootworker Grandfather; Sani and his Native background) the pieces fall together. But will they also fall apart? Then things are a little less familiar. We have a road trip, but getting there is only half the journey. The twists and turns are not just on the physical road, but the road they take s[iritually , trying to hold onto life, trying to honor those gone, and not letting go. Once back with his biological father, Sani’s journey in many ways is just starting. There was lots of building up to the plateau of “going home,” a medium paced build up to the conclusion, then the fast and busy to a conclusion I didn’t see coming.
The prose verse is poetic, artistic and sometimes a bit flowery, especially at the end. Sometimes I had to read a section over just to figure out what was happening as it was almost abstract. I recommend a quiet place to read and an awake brain/mindset for ideal reading conditions. Overall this is well done, but not for all readers (at least strong 12-13 and up). Trigger warnings: death in a car accident, physical abuse, use of mental health and native herbs drugs.