Book Review
How It Feels to Float
by Helena Fox
Read if you're interested in grief, relationships, or books for young adult.
Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
4.5
VerdictRead with discernment
Loading your rating…
Book Summary
Biz, an Australian teenager, grapples with grief, depersonalization, and anxiety after the death of her father. The novel explores her internal struggles, strained relationships, and the search for connection amidst mental health challenges.
What it does well
- — Addresses mental health struggles, particularly grief, anxiety, and depersonalization, which can encourage empathy and understanding for those facing similar issues.
- — Highlights the importance of seeking help and finding support systems, both professional and personal.
- — Depicts the complexity of family relationships and the impact of loss on them, which can foster reflection on one's own family dynamics.
Watch for
- — The book contains themes of mental health crisis, including depression and depersonalization, which could be intense or triggering for some Christian readers, especially those with similar struggles, without explicit integration of faith-based coping mechanisms.
- — While it touches on the search for meaning, it does not explicitly integrate a Christian worldview or biblical solutions for overcoming grief and mental health challenges.
- — The depiction of some social interactions and internal thoughts may not align with a filter of purity or godliness for all Christian readers, depending on their interpretation of 'mature themes'.
Verdict
Christian readers, especially young adults, should approach 'How It Feels to Float' with discernment, recognizing it as a secular exploration of mental health. It can be a valuable tool for understanding the perspectives of those struggling with grief and anxiety but should be supplemented with spiritual resources and a faith-based lens for truly holistic healing.
ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
“Christian readers, especially young adults, should approach 'How It Feels to Float' with discernment, recognizing it as a secular exploration of mental health. It can be a valuable tool for understanding the perspectives of those struggling with grief and anxiety but should be supplemented with spiritual resources and a faith-based lens for truly holistic healing.”
Biblical alignment
- —Addresses mental health struggles, particularly grief, anxiety, and depersonalization, which can encourage empathy and understanding for those facing similar issues.
- —Highlights the importance of seeking help and finding support systems, both professional and personal.
- —Depicts the complexity of family relationships and the impact of loss on them, which can foster reflection on one's own family dynamics.
- —The protagonist's internal struggle and search for identity can resonate with young adults exploring their own sense of self.
Areas of concern
- —The book contains themes of mental health crisis, including depression and depersonalization, which could be intense or triggering for some Christian readers, especially those with similar struggles, without explicit integration of faith-based coping mechanisms.
- —While it touches on the search for meaning, it does not explicitly integrate a Christian worldview or biblical solutions for overcoming grief and mental health challenges.
- —The depiction of some social interactions and internal thoughts may not align with a filter of purity or godliness for all Christian readers, depending on their interpretation of 'mature themes'.
- —The narrative focuses heavily on internal secular coping mechanisms and interpersonal relationships, rather than directing readers to God as a source of ultimate comfort and healing.
Written for
Discussion
Reader comments
Sign in to leave a comment.
Loading…