It’s taken me far too long to find the time to read Kim Liggett’s young-adult dystopian novel, The Grace Year. But I’m extremely glad that I did, because the truth of the matter is, we live in societies where equality is a fabulous notion we all pretend exists when, in fact, it doesn’t …
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
All sixteen-year-old girls are sent away to “rid themselves of their magic” in what’s called “The Grace Year”. Some of those girls don’t return, and the ones who do come back are … changed. Some are missing limbs, most are now docile and ready to become wives, but nobody talks about what happened during that period of their lives. What’s worse is that if you don’t make it back alive — and your body isn’t recovered — your younger sisters are banished to the outskirts of the county, forced to fend for themselves.
There are ceremonies before they leave where they get “chosen” by the boys who have come of age as wives. The ones who aren’t “veiled” will become labourers, working in the mills, houses, or on the land.
It is a great honour to be veiled … for most.
In steps our protagonist, Tierney, a wild child with a mind of her own and who would prefer not to be anyone’s wife.
Into the Great Unknown
After the veiling ceremony, the girls — Tierney included — are off to spend their year in the wilderness, but due to events that were outside of Tierney’s control, she now has a target on her back. The popular girl, Kiersten, is livid about what occurred. You’d think this would take a backseat, considering the girls are already being followed by poachers who get paid handsomely for their heads, but you’d be wrong. Teenaged girls’ vendettas can be nuclear. So, even when they girls’ numbers are starting to fall during their journey, Kiersten has her eye on making Tierney’s life hell as soon as they reach the encampment.
Tierney, who has enough common sense not to believe in the “magic” they all supposedly harbour, tries to be practical in how she approaches her time during the grace year by gathering firewood and building items that’ll make their lives a little easier, but soon most of the others fall under Kiersten spell and Tierney is banished to the forest. Will she survive?
Blood will Boil
What truly irks me, though, is how even in the wilderness, away from their families and supposed leadership, these girls are hunted for coin by men. Poachers. Now, don’t get me wrong, it makes for an entertaining and gripping read, but it shows how much value is placed on women (girls, for that matter, too). And you know what? It resembles life and society now. Sure, we aren’t sent away to live in a dilapidated camp where we hack off pieces of each other … yet. But look at the news. Look how women are treated right around the world.
In other words, The Grace Year definitely got a response out of me while I read. It made me think about injustices, gender inequality, bodily autonomy, and so on and so forth.
Yet, this book isn’t feminist literature per se. At least, it’s not for me. There is definitely The Handmaids Tale vibes, but apart from the frustration the protagonist feels, the rage that boils within her, there are good male characters who are either 1.) actively trying to change society to be more inclusive, 2.) indirectly tries to look at things differently (and acts on those new ideas), and 3.) men who are supportive. So, don’t think that this book is a feminist rant. It’s not. If anything, The Grace Year is a cautionary tale with one foot in reality.
In Conclusion
It’s a scary read in its own right — not a horror, but scary nonetheless. Gripping, entertaining, and well-written, The Grace Year is a must-read for anyone who liked The Handmaids Tale or who feels oppressed. Definitely a five-star read!
About Kim Liggett:
At sixteen, Kim Liggett left her rural midwestern town for New York City to pursue a career in music. Along with lending her voice to hundreds of studio recordings, she was a backup singer for some of the biggest rock bands in the 80’s.
Kim spends her free time studying the tarot and scouring Manhattan for vials of rare perfume and the perfect egg white cocktail.
