Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Author: Alix E. Harrow

One-sentence summary:  A young woman discovers the supernatural secrets about her life and past buried by someone she trusted.

B.A.D. Girls Book Rating:  8

Our favorite thing about it: Such a great story and well-told.

Our least favorite thing about it: The more graphic parts, like when the main character had to carve into her own arm.

Main Topics of Discussion: Story, Layers of Theme, Racism, Writing as Creation, Memory, Power and Control

Our favorite quote: “It is at the moments when the doors open, when things flow between the worlds, that stories happen.”

Notes:  What a fascinating and engaging story. We all loved it. This book was rich with detail and layers of theming – beautiful and fun to read. We discussed the themes of doors opening and closing, thin places, and change. As well as the ideas of color in people and other worlds that made them different. We really liked Samuel’s character because he was so loyal. He reminded us of Samwise Gamge of Lord of the Rings – the archetypal loyal character. We loved the idea of writing a door into being and contrasting that power to that of other characters who sought to destroy and not create – to control and not let free. We thought it was so interesting that individual worlds could be identified by their smell before anything else. This was just a great story that was also so well written – no superfluous descriptions, but such vivid word paintings to enjoy.

Memorable Meeting Moments:

What We Ate:  Chicken Enchilada Bake, Mexican Rice, Black Bean Salsa with Chips, Cinnnamon apples with ice cream.








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