Book 38: Wise Child by Monica Furlong

I don't recall when I first heard about this book, it was referenced in a Pagan book long ago and I couldn't find a copy anywhere. 5 years ago I finally got a copy through the library and read it. This is what I posted then:
"This book had been on my to-read list for 7+ years, and I finally inhaled it over the past couple days. Except for some niche nonfiction, I don't buy books I've never read so I just checked local public library catalogs everywhere I moved. PrairieCat, the local public library network, had this copy!
I wish I could go back in time and give Wise Child to my child self. It deals with many Pagan themes, which I loved even now. And the protagonist becomes a whole person after escaping her abusive mother's brainwashing. Perhaps if I had read this book sooner, I would have escaped mine earlier.
Thank you, PrairieCat and my local public library!"


I bought my copy immediately afterwards. This rereading was probably my 4th time, and I love it just as much! There's a prequel, Juniper, that came out a few years later and I have a copy of that as well. I've become more interested in Furlong and wish her books were both more well-known and accessible. Part of me wishes I could have a conversation with her, but reading her books is like a conversation.

It's interesting that this book comes amidst the intersection of feminist Catholic, Jewish, and Goddess spirituality. Obviously there isn't the Jewish aspect to this, that's just what was happening at the time. In college I tried to read other novels that attempted to bring these together from this time. But they were so overburdened with overly politically correct language that they were impossible to read. This moves smoothly - and it has one of my favorite things that a novel could have, the child protagonist remains a child and doesn't grow up and become a different person in the scope of the story! 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/540489.Wise_Child

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