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The Beautiful Something Else
Nov. 5th, 2025 10:46 amThe Beautiful Something Else by Ash van Otterloo is an odd little book about 12-year-old Sparrow, who is taken in by an aunt they've never met after their mother is sent to rehab.
Along the way, they buy some magic boots that transform their shadow into an independent creature that encourages them to break lots of unreasonable rules their mother always set - and thus find both friends and their own true identity.
It's a lovely story, full of delightfully queer and unique characters, with a wonderful message of inclusion and self-discovery. Some of the conversations are a bit more blunt, honest and emotionally open than I would expect from real people - but I love that in books because it's how I'd love the real world to be! The same goes for parts of the conclusion to the book, which felt a bit easy and unbelievable - but I was also happy to accept for the sake of the story.
I loved all the peripheral characters and the slightly magical feel to it with Shadow helping Sparrow break out of their rigid attitudes and behaviour.
Along the way, they buy some magic boots that transform their shadow into an independent creature that encourages them to break lots of unreasonable rules their mother always set - and thus find both friends and their own true identity.
It's a lovely story, full of delightfully queer and unique characters, with a wonderful message of inclusion and self-discovery. Some of the conversations are a bit more blunt, honest and emotionally open than I would expect from real people - but I love that in books because it's how I'd love the real world to be! The same goes for parts of the conclusion to the book, which felt a bit easy and unbelievable - but I was also happy to accept for the sake of the story.
I loved all the peripheral characters and the slightly magical feel to it with Shadow helping Sparrow break out of their rigid attitudes and behaviour.
