Fierce Fragile Hearts by Sara Barnard
Published by: Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781509852888
Released: February 12, 2019
Read: 3 – 5 February 2019
I have not read the previous book, Beautiful Broken Things, but don’t feel like it diminished by engagement or enjoyment of Fierce Fragile Hearts. Admittedly, when I became attuned to the complicated friendship that narrator Suzanne shares with Caddy and Rosie, I did wonder about the depiction of Suzanne through Caddy’s admiring and slightly envious eyes. The number of times she indicates that she’s ‘channelling Suze’, shows the impact they had one each other. I can also imagine the performance Suzanne would have put on. Being inside her head in Fierce Fragile Hearts is difficult because we know she only shows a portion of her true self to others. And this is a major theme of the novel—Suzanne’s need and desire to move on from trauma, without having to rely on the sympathy and kindness of others. We, as readers, know how hard that will be.
Very early in the novel, Suzanne tries to explain that a person never really gets better from trauma. And while she says it, the events and her actions that follow, demonstrate just how little she believes it. She continually takes one step forward, two steps back, her recovery often dimmed by her inability to reach out, her low sense of worth, and her reluctance to paint herself as a victim or a person to be pitied. While it’s a brave and strong characterisation, it’s also unsustainable and counter-productive. But these are lessons Suzanne must learn, and while she does, the consequences also force Caddy, Rosie, Matt and Sarah to give her space, while also constantly assuring her of their support and love. It’s a terrific representation of the way we all have to be prepared to allow those around us to grow and adapt.
Suzanne’s return to Brighton after two years of therapy and recovery drive the narrative. She must navigate her newly independent life, initially with Caddy and Rosie by her side. Once they leave for university, Suzanne’s inner negativity surfaces and Barnard uses this to highlight the difficulties faced by people who live with depression and fear. We might not understand why she doesn’t reach out sooner to Aunt Sarah or brother Brian, but Suzanne tries to explain it. She doesn’t believe she deserves their love. She doesn’t want to tempt the moments of happiness she gets with her friends by asking more of them. These insights are important for us to read, because they help us to see the plight of people suffering from mental health issues. I was particularly struck by Suzanne’s epiphany that she lived a childhood of fear. That she was constantly on edge, terrified she might do something or say something to set her father off. This moment showed me the extent of Suzanne’s fragility. It’s a powerful moment.
The story doesn’t only focus on Suzanne’s fight for stability and worth. It also presents Caddy’s boyfriend Kel, and the subsequent development of that relationship. We also learn much more about Rosie, and the introduction of Matt as Suzanne’s potential love interest ensures all three girls are seen as equal and strong. Barnard uses the texting format to keep the story moving along even when the girls are apart. However, the best character introduced is undoubtedly Dilys, the elderly woman who lives in the unit below Suzanne. She offers Suzanne the use of her washing machine and dryer once a week in return for company, and the developing friendship gives Suzanne much to think about. Having someone who has lived a full life offer advice and show unreserved belief has a profound effect on Suzanne’s chances of coming through happy and healthy. Everyone will love Dilys, I am certain.
I am pleased to see there was some dealing with the abuse suffered at the hands of her father, and Suzanne finding a way to resolve her feelings not only for him, but also her mother, and to some extent, Brian, is another necessary component of recovery, providing a way for her to move on.
If I had one niggle, it’s the representative of drinking and other risky behaviours presented in Fierce Fragile Hearts. As an educator who puts books in the hands of teenagers, I will be cautious with this one. There is no judging by the author, nor should there be. Suzanne is 18, turning 19. She is an adult, and while we might worry her attitude towards hurried hook-ups with strangers is a reckless response to her trauma, Suzanne is mostly safe. But these young people consume a lot of alcohol. All of them. I am concerned that such actions are normalised, with some research indicating teenagers in fact are binging less, so a more balanced representation is preferable. We rarely see anyone refuse a drink, and there were a couple of times when Suzanne did have to extricate herself from a possible risky situation. I am sure some young people live this sort of partying life, and that brings authenticity to the story. I just wanted less of it. I was more interested in the way Matt understood and really ‘saw’ Suzanne, the plight of Clarence, and how the care system tries to help Suzanne.
Fierce Fragile Hearts is a strong contemporary novel. It highlights a number of timely topics facing young people, including trauma and abuse, and it provides hope and triumph, without cheesiness or melodrama. The conclusion is open ended but satisfying. We have seen Suzanne on her way to a secure and safe future.
Thanks to Pan Macmillan for including me on this #AUSYAblogger book tour. You can catch all the exciting events that have been happening all week here at the website. Just to highlight a few, here’s what else is happening today:
Jessica’s Bookworld, Interview
That Bibliophile Franklin, Giveaway
Raathi Writes, Review
Escape into YA, Review
Bookish Kirra, Review
I will link any interested readers to Riverbend Books for purchasing, sticking with my #buylocal and #supportindiebookstores philosopy. They have a great online service as well.
Trish Talks Texts 