Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses, by Kristen O'Neal, is a werewolf fantasy with a present-day, real-world setting. Blood is mentioned a few times when the werewolf transforms, and some of the descriptions and other characters in danger are a bit scary, but there's no other violence. Strong language includes "f--king," "s--t," damn it," and "hell." Someone offers the narrator Priya, who's 19, weed, which she declines. One character talks about suicidal thoughts in an online support group. Sexual content is very mild, with some innuendo and brief discussions in group chats about LGBTQ+ issues and identities, and mild in-person romantic dynamics. Characters with real chronic illnesses should inspire empathy, and readers with chronic illnesses themselves may find inspiration, understanding, and helpful coping strategies. Priya has chronic Lyme disease, so readers will learn about symptoms and what it's like living and coping with it. She and her family are positive representations of a close-knit, Indian American family who speak a mixture of Tamil and English at home.
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What's the Story?
LYCANTHROPY AND OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES is the story of Priya, who had to leave her second year of premed at Stanford and return home to New Jersey after she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Although the Lyme bacteria have left her body, a lot of damage was done and Priya continues to struggle with debilitating joint pain and "brain fog." She strikes up an online friendship with Brigid and the two of them bond over their chronic illnesses and exchange of bizarre facts. Eventually they learn that they only live an hour apart, and start to imagine taking a road trip together someday. When Brigid suddenly goes offline for a couple of days, Priya decides to fight through the pain and drive to Brigid's house to make sure she's OK. And things are definitely not OK. As Priya and Brigid navigate the realities of their conditions, their friendship deepens, until Brigid's search for a cure pushes it to breaking point. Can they learn to navigate their own lives, and their friendship, after experiencing such drastic change, and not for the better?
Is It Any Good?
Author Kristen O'Neal's first novel is genuinely funny, and genuinely moving, thanks to the realistic and highly individual voices of the many colorful characters. In Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses, a lot of the story is told in an online-chat style, imitating what you might see on your screen if you were part of the group. Lots of books do that now, but O'Neal keeps it lively, engaging, and in a very short time it's easy to tell online, anonymous characters apart from each other just by their voices. The ups and downs that the characters with chronic illness experience quickly become easy to understand and empathize with, without being overwrought or manipulative.
A lot of media makes it seem like affection for and real connection with someone always leads to romantic feelings. So it's refreshing to read about a lovely, same-sex friendship between two people who feel a profound connection, love each other deeply, would do anything for each other, but who aren't romantically attracted at all. The story moves along in a lively and compelling way that keeps the pages turning and every so often offers an emotional punch right in the feelings, without ever letting you forget that there seems to be a werewolf on the loose. Mature topics and strong language make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Priya in Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses. Is she a positive role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses? Who is your favorite character, and why?
Is the strong language realistic? Is reading it different from hearing it in movies, games, or other media?
Do you, or does someone you know, have a chronic illness? Do you think this book treats it realistically? What helps you cope, or how can you help someone else when they're struggling?
Book Details
- Author: Kristen O'Neal
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Quirk Books
- Publication date: April 27, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 384
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 21, 2021
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