When I began thinking of what I should suggest reading next, I considered books I knew had similar old man/young girl relationships but also beautiful language and/or engaging writing. These recommendations might come in handy for those days when it seems that feeling psychologically well is the enemy. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass* by Lewis Carroll Tiger, Tiger by Margaux Fragoso (Trigger warning for survivors of sexual violence. I can’t stress this enough.) Fragoso’s memoir is a haunting and extremely disturbing glimpse into the life of a young woman who spent her childhood under the spell of an manipulative but charismatic abuser who taught her (through the process of grooming) to be his perfect victim. Tiger, Tiger is scary and sad and awful to hear account in the victim’s voice (some reviews even called it Lolita’s side of the story), but there is power and catharsis in telling the tale as she recalls it, and in doing so graphically and unflinchingly. The title’s reference to Blake is something of a “why?”; it also interestingly mirrors Humbert Humbert’s repetitive name. A difficult but worthwhile, well-written read. Lamb by Bonnie Nadzam *totally count as one, not two (And yes, I left out Reading Lolita in Tehran, but you should totally read that one, too.)
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