jules' 3 favorite reads in 2024

Thistlefoot is a story about generational trauma and how the body can remember things the mind cannot and that these stories/folktales exist because history was witnessed, because someone was there, because someone remembers. The author says "Folklore allows us to be playful and fun ... And it also allows us to address some things we may not have the ability to address otherwise."

This book explores the idea of using folklore to tell a memory too painful to talk plainly about. Many of us have likely read “what would happen if a fairytale was set in current times?” But this is different because the house narrates the difficult parts. It says, “I'll tell you what came before. I'll recite it like a folk tale. These sorts of memories - they're easier to understand that way.” As the story progresses the house's story moves further away from the tale and closer to history.

I thought this book was going to be overhyped. It was not, at least for me. This story comes from a rich history of folklore and real life events and it shines through so beautifully. I mostly listened to the audiobook (excellent) but read some bits when it was more convenient. I happened to read what I thought were the saddest parts and I think that made them hit harder.

Many of the characters are archetypal, but for me that adds to the experience of reading. It's an adapted/expanded folk tale... of course there's going to be archetypes. I found it interesting how the author engaged these and presents them for a modern audience and a modern setting.

The language in this is beautiful. I love how she spent time on some more of the human details and trusted the reader to figure out how the world worked. I enjoyed being reminded that this character always has a cigarette behind their ear and wears the same jacket, and how a different character is always paying attention to how things are built.

This book was recommended by Dusty Gannon of Vision Video at one of their shows I went to and it did not disappoint. True to the reviews, this book was very readable and engaging. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of photos (so if you listen to the audiobook see if you can get ahold of some of the inserts).

I found the content very interesting! I was ignorant of most of the information covered and I enjoyed learning about it. I half read, half listened to this and I recommend both versions.

This was delightful! I often found myself thinking that the story was so chaotic and unrealistic, but then I was reminded that, well, that’s the point. This is a book about foxes. Things are going to be different with them around.
I definitely recommend this book. I will say that the audiobook was enjoyable, however it is read by the author and if you are more accustomed to books read by voice actors you may find this version a little more difficult to listen to.
(slight spoilers in next paragraph)

I enjoyed the split POV, especially with the two voices being so narratively different. I also enjoyed the slow revealing of information, and the third act twist. When what I thought would be the finale happened at the end of the second act I was surprised! It made the last third of the book so exciting because I wasn’t sure what what going to happen.