October, October by Katya Balen
I am coming to you today on the 1st November to talk about a girl called October. Colour me contrary. I've also got details about a DNF (or did not finish book). How was your Halloween? Did you celebrate? We enjoyed a lovely Halloween party on Saturday with friends, who just happen to own a 12 foot skeleton complete with terrifying LED eyes that blink, and which move around the room. We dressed up, me as a witch with suitable spooky make-up and Chris as a scary surgeon. It was fab. Which brings me nicely onto my horror read for Halloween or rather lack of it.
Time has rather gotten away from me this month, with various commitments and a lovely holiday to Dubrovnik, which means I have not scared myself witless like I usually do at Halloween. I've put the link above to previous scary books I have read. But I have no excuse. I will try and read something scary before the end of the year and have indeed just opened this month's year of books present which looks a goodie!
Today's book was also a Year of Books pressie, called October, October by Katya Balen. The cover is gaw-jus and the storytelling breathtaking. October and her father live in the woods, living off the land and caretaking the trees there. Once a year they go to the village to exchange goods and they barter for eggs and milk from a local farmer. When October turns 11, she rescues a baby owl and her father falls out of a tree. October is forced to live with her mother in the city. But October is wild, and wild things should not live in the city.
There are many levels to this book. The first is the beauty and simplicity of living in the woods. October is home-schooled by her father and the lessons that we all learnt in the school, are learnt in the woods. Counting, reading, writing are learned through the beauty of nature. It feels quiet, calm.
I also felt that Katya Balen was providing a beautiful insight into the lives of those who live with neuro-divergent conditions. We witness how this can work so well, when a different way of teaching is offered, and what can happen when the world comes crashing in. Indeed the section where October's mother tries to take her on the Tube or when October first meets her new and very friendly classmates, is so well written, I felt I was being given a glance into such a mind. It offers understanding.
October's mother was also well written, complex, choosing not to live the lifestyle adopted by October's father, but caring for October gently and with respect and kindness.
Ultimately this is a novel about spreading one's wings, the barn owl providing a metaphor, and how different experiences or environments can enrich our lives especially once we return home.
I did have to check what happened to the barn owl early on as I do not cope well with animal danger and can confirm all is good.
This is an almost poetically written novel for young adults, quiet and startling for the simplicity of life. And it receives a 5 Star rating from me as it is a book that has definitely stayed with me.
On my Autumn To Be Read Pile was a book called Greenglass House. I am afraid I did not finish this book as I just could not get into it. I'm gutted as I hoped it was a contender for #12booksofchristmas. I have no doubt that there are many of you out there who adore this book, it was just not for me.
And that is it for today's review. I have a lovely weekend planned. It is 3 years since we moved to our wonderful village. It's so fun to think that 3 years ago, we were unable to sleep, surrounded by boxes and excited for the following morning. I am also meeting my friends at Wentworth Garden centre - advent calendars will be bought, and Christmas villages mulled over. Have a great weekend!
