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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Feathers From the Fire by Karlyn Pleasants, PsyD tells the story of a family overwhelmed by internal struggles and the complexities of mental health. Klare, Finn, and Nic Driscoll each face distinct personal tests. Klare suffers from dissociative episodes triggered by past trauma while their son, Finn, is affected with unsettling behavior that disrupts his friendships and community involvement. Nic is initially unaware of Klare's issues but slowly comes to see the strain on their familial bonds. As a family, they seek professional help from Dr. Isabeau Hirsch, whose therapy sessions reveal Klare's repressed trauma and its impact on Finn. The hardship and setbacks threaten a family that is fundamentally united by their shared love.
Feathers From the Fire by Karlyn Pleasants is visionary but, truly, the novel is firmly a work of literary fiction. This is a character-driven book with the Driscolls thoroughly fleshed out to a degree where Pleasants has breathed life into them. The scenery is often visually beautiful, as seen in ways like the portrayal of Gothic architecture, stained-glass windows, and the shimmering aura within the church. I loved the speculative elements that Pleasants weaves in; mysterious visions, a recondite girl, and the threads of historical events in Geel. For me personally, the standout that makes Pleasants' work extraordinary is her deep use of symbolism. Klare's encounter with the statue of St. Dymphna and a connection to her past, and the weight of family secrets was an absolute scene-stealing moment. The measured hand of a skilled author is what forges a reader's empathy for the characters' experiences, something that Pleasants successfully achieves in this thoughtful novel. Very highly recommended.
