I have been seeing Carmen, from TomesandTextiles, recommending this book and was convinced! I love when I can read a book that’s already released that everyone seems to love. Don’t even get me started on how much I loved that this is written in verse! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Moth has lost her family in an accident. Though she lives with her aunt, she feels alone and uprooted.
Until she meets Sani, a boy who is also searching for his roots. If he knows more about where he comes from, maybe he’ll be able to understand his ongoing depression. And if Moth can help him feel grounded, then perhaps she too will discover the history she carries in her bones.
Moth and Sani take a road trip that has them chasing ghosts and searching for ancestors. The way each moves forward is surprising, powerful, and unforgettable.
Here is an exquisite and uplifting novel about identity, first love, and the ways that our memories and our roots steer us through the universe.
Review
TW: parental abuse, suicidal ideation
Me (Moth) is a lyrical story about loss. Using this idea of transformation, of cycles of a caterpillar or moth, McBride will capture you. The language is striking. Whether it be in the melodic quality or in the word choices, Me (Moth) rolls off the tongue. It manages to capture both language that feels like silk, while also painting incidents of trauma and grief. Me (Moth) begins by discussing grief. The ways we have to armor ourselves, wracked with survivor’s guilt, and wondering about the way life works.
The complex nature of loss. How we can still feel betrayed and angry while simultaneously feeling sadness and love. Me (Moth) is a story that focuses on both Moth and Sani. It explores family. With all its twists and support, Me (Moth) does not pander to easy answers. There are also moments of celebration and love. Together, Sani and Moth cement how important it is to share pieces of ourselves, to find someone who will see you. To find the magic of becoming home, of finding someone who feels like home.
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Everyone I know who has read Me (Moth) has absolutely loved it. And I’m no exception. It’s a book that had me wanting to re-read it immediately after finishing. I needed to figure out the tendrils of the story, to experience the character’s journey all over again. Find Me (Moth) on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.