What haunts you?
“An Unkindness of Ghosts” by Rivers Solomon (fae/faer). This is fae’s debut novel, which I think creates a lot of discussion and thoughtful criticism of racial caste systems and the inequality of healthcare and who receives adequate care, which I have not seen a lot in modern fiction, and I appreciate fae’s willingness to dive into that topic.
This is a story about a woman named Aster, and her relationships and life aboard the ship of The Matilda.
Aster is a woman who is a healer, taking care of those who are on the lower decks of the ship, those who are not able to receive adequate medical care from the upper decks.
The upper decks are people who are richer, more affluent, and whiter and lighter skin. They have the most resources and privilege. They have heat. Throughout the book, we see times where those on the upper decks walk through the field as if they are walking through a park, not really giving much thought to those who are working there.
Those on the lower decks are poorer, working class, working the fields, and as described by Solomon, black. They are given less resources, more prone to blackout and cold. They are expected to work and are patrolled regularly, both in the morning and as they are working. They need to have special passes and permission to walk and go up to the upper decks, which leads to the dynamics of Aster’s relationships.
She creates this relationship and partnership with a person, named Theo, who is known as the Surgeon on the ship because he is related to those who are in charge and ruling the ship.
He helps her learn and develop her skills as a healer and is honestly very protective of her, which we come to see that he has romantic feelings for her. Aster struggles with her relationship with him throughout the book because she questions his motives around caring for her and what kind of relationship they have together: are they friends? Are they acquaintances? Something else? She is not sure what they are and not certain what kind of help she wants from him as she cares for those on the lower decks. Aster knows and thinks about the disparities she experiences on the lower decks as compared to those on the upper decks.
Aster also comes to wrestle with religion and theology and what it means to her. She shares more than once that she is not interested in spirituality or in God. It does not bring her comfort or support, and her life brings her to that conclusion and understanding. Theo has a strong belief in God and is seen praying throughout the book, which always brings up the point of his privilege and how that may affect how he relates to God and divinity. Many of those on the lower decks do talk about what they do believe and that God is all they can believe in, which shows another level. This plot point shows and provides examples that many people find comfort in theology and the divine. Theology brings different things to different people.
Aster’s best and lifelong friend, Gisele, is also very much a main plot point in her relationship and story. As I read about Gisele and her story and friendship with Aster, I noticed she has a lot of anger and jealousy built up with her. It sounds like she has decent trauma within her life and sounds like people took control of her body and life. She is jealous of Aster’s knowledge and life, and if Aster is not right there, she gets angry about it. This is especially present at the end of the story, but I do not want to spoil it.
But even with all the jealousy Gisele has, Aster loves her and goes after her every time. Gisele is the closest person she has to family and helps her find these close connections to her late mother. Aster cries for her and wants to protect her. Gisele is someone she cares for and can be seen going to the end of the world and her life for. She will protect her to life and death.
I think this is the case where a platonic friendship can create love and lifelong relationships just like a romantic relationship. Solomon does a great job in this book to show the variety of relationships and their importance.
I find this really important to think about and reflect on because in a lot of popular fiction and culture, romantic love and relationship is seen as the right way and the normal way of life, which is important to be aware of, yes. But there is more than romantic love out there, and that platonic love and compassion can be just as powerful and fulfilling in life, as can be seen between Aster and Gisele. There does not appear to be any romantic love between them but they clearly love and care for one another that nurtures them both.
Something else about this book is that the story ends with a lot of unknowns and ambiguity. I do not think I am giving anything away by saying that. There are not any happy endings with bows tied up nicely. I had more questions than answers. I found myself asking: what happens to everyone and their relationships with one another?
Which is what life is like anyway, right? We like stories that end with everything wrapped up nicely and with a bow on top. And life is rarely like that.
Illness. Grief. Anger. Betrayal. War. Famine. Inequality. Life has a lot of injustice in it and does not always end well, which Solomon shows and writes so well here. Fae brings so much of life into this book you cannot help to consider and keep reading to find out what happens next.
That’s life. We do not know what will happen next. Or how things will end. There are so many questions. So many unknowns. We just have to keep going and wonder what will happen. What keeps us going.
I do recommend reading this book. I already have to my chaplain educator for future reference and for class. I hope you will too.
4 stars.
