Had a terrific vibe that carried me along until there were no more words to read – brilliant!
The quirky title says it all. It’s an ever-increasing list of circumstances deemed so perilous by its author they should be avoided at all costs. Yes, seventeen year old Esther Solar’s logic is simple: by identifying her extreme phobias then giving them a wide berth she will live to fight another day. Ironically, by paying so much attention to her list of nightmares she’s ignoring her dreams.
From killer crustaceans to generalised social anxiety, Esther’s effervescent, non-stop journey with her pickpocketing knight on moped allows us to watch as seeds of fear take root, until they grow so big they smother all the light from the characters’ lives and shade the ones they care about.
Despite braving his own troubled waters, Jonah’s heart is a big as a whale. He chips away at Esther’s deflective, emotional wall as he encourages her to laugh in the face of her fifty worst nightmares in the most amazing ways possible. He’s a cracking ally to have on your side.
Esther is not the only one facing her fears, as the entire Solar family’s anxiety feels almost contagious. Although their behaviour could be considered eccentric, scratch the surface and you’ll find that they have forgotten how to live. Unfortunately their ‘oddness’ is not only protection against the bad things that can happen, but also the good.
This story highlights the vicious circle of mental health by balancing the negative and positive of situations with comedic banter, and shows how various people brave the dark when the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off. But it’s not at all doom and gloom as it remains animated and refreshing throughout - I pretty much loved everything about it.
It’s hilariously observant, exceptionally curious, and has a terrific vibe that carried me along until there were no more words left to read.
From killer crustaceans to generalised social anxiety, Esther’s effervescent, non-stop journey with her pickpocketing knight on moped allows us to watch as seeds of fear take root, until they grow so big they smother all the light from the characters’ lives and shade the ones they care about.
Despite braving his own troubled waters, Jonah’s heart is a big as a whale. He chips away at Esther’s deflective, emotional wall as he encourages her to laugh in the face of her fifty worst nightmares in the most amazing ways possible. He’s a cracking ally to have on your side.
Esther is not the only one facing her fears, as the entire Solar family’s anxiety feels almost contagious. Although their behaviour could be considered eccentric, scratch the surface and you’ll find that they have forgotten how to live. Unfortunately their ‘oddness’ is not only protection against the bad things that can happen, but also the good.
This story highlights the vicious circle of mental health by balancing the negative and positive of situations with comedic banter, and shows how various people brave the dark when the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off. But it’s not at all doom and gloom as it remains animated and refreshing throughout - I pretty much loved everything about it.
It’s hilariously observant, exceptionally curious, and has a terrific vibe that carried me along until there were no more words left to read.