Drowning in a book
"how it feels to float" by Helena Fox (review)
I’d like to start sharing with you about books I love. I read a lot, yet somehow don’t write reviews. And as an author I know the value of word-of-mouth. So here we go…
I give you “how it feels to float” by Helena Fox.
Take the concept of ‘floating’ or dissociation; take a teen in her last year of school before college; include the ghost of her father and photographs that talk; add an epic journey to the outback with a narrator whose voice is unique, original, funny, and completely real; and you will start to get a feel for this wonderful novel.
I went in expecting it to be good, which may be unfair and for a lesser book might have hurt my experience, but Fox’s voice is so assured, unique and funny it was never a problem. I loved Biz instantly, and only grew to love her more as the book went on. I was grateful that Fox gave her an elder friend, Sylvia (a wonderful character in her own right), in addition to one her own age. Biz’s relationship with Jasper grows into a truly lovely friendship, which is rare in a world where romantic relationships are valued above anything. Authors, take heed—be not afraid to write great friendships!
There is so much love in Biz’s life, which highlights something very interesting to me about evaluating mental health. We are all inside our own heads most of the time, and all the love in the world won’t change that. Biz is loved, recognizes this, and still spirals out. Mental well-being depends less on environment (as long as the basics are being met; housing, food, sense of security, affection) and much, much more on how you process the bad stuff.
Like most people, I’ve experienced depression, ecstasy, doubt and that uncomfortable itchy feeling of not knowing what to do. Being brought into Biz’s interiority—seeing and hearing things no one else does, feeling lost, floating outside her body—was enlightening, and I found the book filled with hope. The good news about learning to process negative experiences is that we can change—both in how we feel about them and how much power they have over us. And this is something Biz keeps learning throughout the book.
To everyone struggling with poor self esteem and dark days, I invite you to stay. Keep trying. Notice the good moments. Let Biz inspire you, as she has done for me.
Hope you find “how it feels to float” in your library or local bookstore. If you do, please let me know what you think of it.
Add it to your book clubs. I know I will.
Thank you, Helena Fox for giving us this engaging character and beautifully written story.
NOTE: I discovered this book through another author, Jandy Nelson. In promoting her latest book (“When the World Tips Over”), Jandy cross-promoted Helena’s book. I found Jandy after reading Laura Ruby’s “Bone Gap” which won the Printz award for best YA novel of that year. Authors promoting authors. That’s what it’s all about, kids.
(“Bone Gap” and “I’ll Give You the Sun” are beautifully written, instantly engaging, and I strongly recommend them as well.)
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