Title: Broken Wing
Author: Anna Klay
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 1482586525
Pages: 266, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
Not every story is a happy one! Broken Wing is not one those books that leaves you feeling happy inside. However, for the reader to want to continue to read the book even though they might have distaste for many of the characters says quite a lot about the literary talent of the author, Anna Klay. The stark reality of evil and rage portrayed in this book is both intriguing and deplorable at the same time.This is a story of the abused becoming the abusers, of broken dreams, and unspeakable anger and personal demons. This is also a book about second chances, family bonds, and hopes and dreams for the future. It is about a sense of community versus the feeling of never being able to fit in. While seemingly opposites, these themes are intertwined throughout the novel and together form a literary treat. Ray, at times the protagonist of the story and at others the antagonist, himself wonders, upon entering a new town, if finding goodness in a new place can turn his life and soul around. On the other hand, Skye herself yearns to learn more about her past and to make her dreams come true. It is interesting that one remembers too much of the past and the other wants only to be able to understand it. This book on self-identity leads the reader to want to know if people are truly able to change despite their circumstances and themselves.
The character development of this story was excellent. Again, while you don’t necessarily like some of the characters and their actions, the writing gives you a very raw and open glimpse into their emotions, dreams and demons. You want to keep them from harm, shout out to them that they need to be careful, and encourage them along the way. Such a strong tie to the characters is hard to find in many modern day novels.
As for Klay’s writing, she writes in a beautiful manner, with vivid imagery and a very descriptive style. At times, though, I would have liked to have seen that spread out further apart throughout the book. Sometimes a simple sentence can still get the point across and make the book an easier read. Perhaps, though, she wanted her writing style to mirror the complexity of the cast of characters and themes. I would recommend this book to readers that want to be drawn in to the story and can handle the complexity of some of the central themes.
