Discussing the content of Rory Power’s debut novel Wilder Girls is going to be very difficult without ruining the totality of what makes it without any doubt, in my mind, the best of the year to date. Having said that, I will do my best.
Before that exercise in futility, there is plenty to discuss about Power’s writing craft that can be discussed. And it has as much a hand in the brilliance of Wilder Girls as the content. Powers exudes influence of Jack Kerouac.
For those that might not be familiar with his style and don’t need a full course from the linked website, here is a brief rundown of the specific – not all- parts of his “spontaneous style” I found in parts- again, not all (mostly during Byatt’s point of view) – of Kerouac’s style. (very brief and by no means meant to be critically commented on or attacked, I beg of you).
- No periods separating sentence
- Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition
- …and trying to eliminate the period, he created a writing style all his own to go with the rhythm of the Beat generation.
- Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition
Power uses these literary devices to provoke emotions from readers in reaction to a deep psychological understanding of character’s thoughts, circumstances and situational contexts. It is the first time I have seen it utilized in prose. I have previously seen it utilized in poetry such as Jason Reynolds Long Way Down I have also seen structure shattered in a unique and brutally impactful way in Tiffany Jackson’s Monday’s Not Coming.
However, this is the first time I’ve seen sentence structure played with in a novel written in prose that becomes a character, itself. It is used sparingly as to not overtake or overburden the reader, when it will provide the most impact.
Power inputs these devices when the character’s surroundings and condition most benefit from conveying a critical level of understanding. One that drags the reader not just into that point in time but into the character’s body both mentally and physically.
Both quotes below are sans spoilers, I believe. They are out of context and as vague as I believe, possible.
What is bolded and underlined in the quote below was done by me, not the book. I did it just to point out the repetitive phrase.
But they slip in and out of my head, and I’m not I’m not I’m not as here as I thought I was.
Below is an example of the lack of punctuation.
Light my eyes tearing up they always do they’re too sensitive I could never get my pupils dilated when I went to the eye doctor and somebody bending down over me blinking and sharpening
It is impossible to quote a break sentence structure. I would never be able to type it correctly or would fear getting it wrong. You’ll just have to trust me on that one.
Structurally there is also a patience to Power’s style not often seen in a debut novel. When I recommended, on twitter, to M.R. Carey (the author of The Girl with All the Gifts) originator of the phrase “books that make reading a contact sport” that he read Wilder Girls, there was a reason. I would never do such a thing lightly. I would, however, put Wilder Girls in that rare air, albeit for different reasons.
Yet, there is a certain aspect they definitely have in common. There is a patience to Wilder Girls akin to The Girl with All the Gifts. It is an unraveling of what is happening to the Raxter Girls that builds up a tightness in your chest, an inability to breathe and a turning of your stomach.
It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t move at your pace. The narrative will not be bullied into what to do or how to do it. It will make you squeamish. It will make you plead. It will make people who care about you beg you to stop reading it. But you won’t. You can’t.
You will find out what you want to know only when Powers is good and ready to tell you. That is to say, you will know only when the Raxter girls know. The book unfolds itself in real time. And as situations happen to them, they will grab you by the gut, by the jugular, psychologically and not let go. As information reveals itself to the girls (perceived, misunderstood and/or the truth), it will be revealed to you.
The unknowing of how and why what is happening while bearing witness to what is happening, from survival to the growing plague. From threats, both known and unknown to the girls, is what makes Wilder Girls a complete Mind bend.
Yes, Power is descriptive in the horrific and gruesome brutality of the sickness taking over the Raxter girls. But I would argue that it is the psychological games that Power weaves throughout the plot that is the fiercest part of the content.
Here’s the thing. While Wilder Girls would have been a remarkable novel without the intrinsic writing craft Power holds, it is these pieces that throw it over the top.
I am afraid there isn’t much more I can say about Wilder Girls. If this isn’t enough? Ask a question in the comment section and I will see if I can answer it sans spoilers.
Otherwise?
Fantastic review. That was so incredibly well written. I unfortunately did not appreciate Power’s writing to the capacity that it should have been, but I definitely want to read more from this author.
Thank you!!! I really appreciate how everyone is taking to the review. I was really afraid that it was going to come across really aloof or just not connect well. So your support means a lot. Your blog is always consistent and well written. Thank you! And that is the nature of art… we are lucky there is so much of it. Everyone’s taste is going to be different. We are blessed to be able to choose what calls to us.
I am so ready to read this book. Your review is amazing. I am on the edge of my seat!
Thank you!!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the review ( I was afraid it might not resonate)! So your words mean a lot!!! I hope you love it as much as I did!
Definitely going to read this after reading your review!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! That means a lot. I hope you love it!
This is an amazing review, so well written and you’ve made me so curious about this book and the style of writing, I think I’m going to have to look into it a bit more.
Ok I you know what I wrote in response to what you said to the review to The Written… I meant to put that here lol
Ben Galley is an undiscovered gem. He took the whole notion of dragons and said. … hold my beer lol!!!
Your review is enough! Another book for my forever growing TBR pile 🙂
I’m always glad to hear it! Especially with this post. 1) Because I don’t think (I surely hope not) anyone will regret it and 2) Because this review was one I was so worried about as far as how I wrote it! Thank you!
You are very welcome, you reviews are some of my favourites 🙂
☺???? I dont know what to say ????
Wow, what a fabulous review! I never even thought about how it was written because I was just riding the wave of the story. I did enjoy how vivid it was and found myself compelled to keep reading and loved the whole idea of the Tox. The writing really was incredible and the plot was also amazing, the combination made this book a knockout debut.