Review
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** STARRED REVIEW ** "In a novel rich with metaphors,
newcomer Schantz explores the tender, heartwrenching relationship
between a schizophrenic mother and her highly gifted daughter.
The beautiful and remote rural setting underscores Fig’s
isolation among classmates who view her family as strange and her
joy during fleeting moments when her mother appears to be cured.
Readers will get a strong sense of the powerful bond of love
between parents and child as Fig’s family strives to navigate the
quagmire of mental illness." (Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*
March 2, 2015)
"Readers who appreciate melancholic, lyrical narratives will
likely be moved by Fig’s heartbreaking tale." (Booklist April 1,
2015)
"Schantz gives readers in into mental illness and how it
affects the people around those who suffer from it. As Fig grows
from six years old to an adult, she deals with her mother’s
illness in both y and uny ways. Readers soon realize
that Fig is dealing with her own mental illness. Schantz’s
portrayal of this complicated relationship and fight, both within
the character of Fig and with her mother, is touching and
unsettling at the same time. It is beautifully painful to
experience." (VOYA April 2015)
“Somehow both lyrical and searing, Fig portrays all the fear and
confusion and loneliness of living with an unstable parent. And
yet, this book offers a redemption that is as honest as it is
believable. A remarkable debut.” (Patricia McCormick, Two-time
National Book Award Finalist for Sold and Never Fall Down)
"A thought-provoking debut that gives voice to children coping
with the hardships of being raised in families afflicted by
mental illness. By merging reality and fantasy, Fig delivers an
authentic portrayal of sacrifice, strength, and, ultimately,
love. This is a story that needed to be told." (Kristen-Paige
Madonia, author of Fingerprints of You)
"Sarah Elizabeth Schantz's words are so beautiful they hurt. This
is an astonishing debut novel—and one not only for young adults,
but for all adults. At the heart —and very much the soul—of the
book’s powerful narrative is Fig, her voice as authentic at six
as it is at eleven. I felt a sense of loss at the end and wanted
to keep on reading and reading...Fig is destined to become a
classic. Truly the most memorable book I have read in years."
(Agatha Award-winning author, Katherine Hall Page)
“In Fig, Sarah Elizabeth Schantz has written a spectacular debut
of rare beauty and courage. This fascinating journey into a young
child's mind is both haunting and electrifying. Fig is one of the
best books I’ve read in years, and Fig’s unique voice will stay
with me forever.” (Lauren Sabel, author of Vivian Divine Is Dead)
"This beautifully written story is a painful look at mental
illness. An element of fantasy weaves throughout the narrative,
with Annie’s tenuous grip on reality and Fig’s magical thinking,
and references to fairy tales, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in
Wonderland abound.... an incredibly haunting story about mental
illness and family bonds." (School Library Journal)
“Schantz's exquisite prose brims with nature, blood, literary
references and intense emotional silence….Achingly gorgeous.”
(Kirkus Reviews)
"It’s a rare debut from an author that bares the soul not only of
the characters,but of the reader as well." (Jeff Pfaller
http://jeffpfaller.com/)
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About the Author
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Sarah Elizabeth Schantz grew up in a bookstore named The
Rue Morgue—one of the first mystery bookstores in the US. She is
an accomplished short-storyist, with many awards under her belt.
Schantz holds an MFA in Writing & Poetics from Naropa University.
She currently lives with her family in an old farmhouse on the
outskirts of Boulder, Colorado, where they are surrounded by open
sky, century-old cottonwoods, coyote, and screech owls. Fig is
her first novel.
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