Review: Thin Places by Lesley Choyce

Written in verse, Thin Places tells a story that embodies mythological legends from Ireland and the feeling of not-belonging. Even though this story is 200 pages long, the time flies by as you are transported inside Declan’s head and immersed in the story.

Summary

Declan is a teenager who has always had an active imagination and imaginary friends. But one day, Declan hears a girl’s voice in his head. He even manages to close his eyes and see her. Meet Rebecca. His whole life, his father, his rational physicist father, told him his imagination wasn’t real. However, Declan is certain she is. Even more so, he is falling in love with her and soon his desire to unravel her mystery brings him to Ireland. Guided by a vision, Declan searches the country to find her and a place where he finally feels like he belongs.

Review

I especially enjoyed the mythology aspect of the book. I do not want to spoil that reveal for you, but its twist takes a closer look at the grief of moving on. Declan was an interesting character, because he never really feels like he belongs. In some ways, I could identify with that – the feeling of being in the wrong time.

Overall, the story was what kept me interested. Choyce continually works this tension between real and unreal – even until the very end. When we are narrated a story from within a character’s mind, we are never sure. Does this make Declan an unreliable narrator? That’s something for you to answer yourself. But does it make for a fascinating story? Most certainly.

You can pick up Thin Places on Amazon(US) or add it to Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss.

Discussion

Have you read any books in verse? Recs?

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