What Beauty There Is is the beautiful, tragic debut novel by the very talented Cory Anderson. The cover of this novel is breathtaking; as are the chapter pages which depict the bird, wolf, butterfly, and knife. Each of these signify something important in the story. Anderson’s writing is lyrical on the page, capturing the attention of her audience by bringing them into the story. We are rooting for our protagonist and our heartbreaks for his struggles. This is true from the very first chapter until the end.
What Beauty There Is, is the story of Jack Dahl and his younger brother, Matty. We quickly find out that Jack and Matty live in poverty, their father is in jail, and mother has committed suicide. These boys face adversity that most adults would not be able to handle. Jack never gives up and fights tirelessly for his brother. The love they share is admirable and one of my favorite parts of this book.
Our other main protagonist is Ava Bardem. We don’t know this at first, but Ava is our narrator who speaks to us (sometimes passing that fourth wall) at the beginning of each chapter. Ava’s narrations are my absolute favorite part of this book. Ava’s voice is one of my favorite female voices in a novel to date. Her words are powerful, compassionate, and thought provoking. But who is Ava? Ava is the daughter of the antagonist of our story, which puts her in a very awkward situation: between Jack and her father.
After Jack’s and Marty’s mother has passed away, Jack knows that he must do whatever he can to provide for Matty. His father is in jail for robbery, however, no one has been able to locate the briefcase of money. Jack realizes this is the only way for him to protect him and Matty- money will fix everything. Unfortunately Jack isn’t the person looking for the briefcase. Men, who will stop at nothing to retrieve the money, have their eyes on Jack; the most evil being Bardem- the man who Jack’s father robbed the pawn shop with years before and Ava’s father. Ava knows that her father is a bad man. When she meets Jack, she feels an instant connection with him. There is something about him; she is drawn to him. Behind her father’s back, Ava begins to help Jack and Matty, but when Bardem realizes what Ava is up to will she risk her life for the brothers or walk away?
From the beginning, What Beauty There Is keeps you wanting to turn the page. Anderson writing allows you to connect with each character on an emotional level as she writes this story in third person and in several different view points. It leaves you wanting the best and fearing the worst. It is a book that you will not want to miss.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Ava:
“This is one small story in an infinite number. But it is mine.”
What Beauty There Is, is the story of Jack Dahl and his younger brother, Matty. We quickly find out that Jack and Matty live in poverty, their father is in jail, and mother has committed suicide. These boys face adversity that most adults would not be able to handle. Jack never gives up and fights tirelessly for his brother. The love they share is admirable and one of my favorite parts of this book.
Our other main protagonist is Ava Bardem. We don’t know this at first, but Ava is our narrator who speaks to us (sometimes passing that fourth wall) at the beginning of each chapter. Ava’s narrations are my absolute favorite part of this book. Ava’s voice is one of my favorite female voices in a novel to date. Her words are powerful, compassionate, and thought provoking. But who is Ava? Ava is the daughter of the antagonist of our story, which puts her in a very awkward situation: between Jack and her father.
After Jack’s and Marty’s mother has passed away, Jack knows that he must do whatever he can to provide for Matty. His father is in jail for robbery, however, no one has been able to locate the briefcase of money. Jack realizes this is the only way for him to protect him and Matty- money will fix everything. Unfortunately Jack isn’t the person looking for the briefcase. Men, who will stop at nothing to retrieve the money, have their eyes on Jack; the most evil being Bardem- the man who Jack’s father robbed the pawn shop with years before and Ava’s father. Ava knows that her father is a bad man. When she meets Jack, she feels an instant connection with him. There is something about him; she is drawn to him. Behind her father’s back, Ava begins to help Jack and Matty, but when Bardem realizes what Ava is up to will she risk her life for the brothers or walk away?
From the beginning, What Beauty There Is keeps you wanting to turn the page. Anderson writing allows you to connect with each character on an emotional level as she writes this story in third person and in several different view points. It leaves you wanting the best and fearing the worst. It is a book that you will not want to miss.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Ava:
“This is one small story in an infinite number. But it is mine.”