Bibliographic Information:
Title: I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me
Author: Jamison Shea
ISBN: 9781250909565
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Copyright Date: 2023
Format/Genre: Hardcover; Fantasy fiction; Dark fantasy
Awards and Honors: None
Reading Level/Interest Level: 9th grade and up (I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me: NoveList Plus - Powered by EBSCOhost, n.d.).
Plot Summary: Laure is a poor, black ballet student in the Parisian world of ballet. Where success must come by all means. But Laure stands out among her white counterparts, because she is very good. This is noticed by one of the other students, Joséphine, who herself has risen quickly in the rankings of the students at the school. Joséphine invites Laure into a mysterious underworld where success can come to her, if she’s willing to pay the dangerous, bloody price.
Author Background: Jamison Shea (they/them) is a dark fantasy and horror author, flautist, and linguist. They are originally from Buffalo, New York, but they now live in Finland. This is their first novel.
Critical Evaluation: This is a dark, supernatural mystery, bordering on horror – at least body horror. The book utilizes mythology and the occult to illustrate how our desire for greatness can bring out not just the best in us, but also the worst of us. It also touches on systemic racism and the power struggle in certain careers.
Creative Use for a Library Program: I would talk to the teens about the general themes of Jamison’s novel – systemic racism, the desire to be perfect by all means and doing everything one can do to achieve it. I would ask them if they agree that this happens in ballet, from what they know about it, and see if they think this sort of racism or achieve at all costs happens in other places or careers.
Speed-Round Book Talk: Laure is an aspiring, black, ballet dancer at one of the most prestigious schools in Paris. She gets mean mugged all the time because she’s a poor, black girl from America and she’s good. One of the other students takes her under her wing and shows her how she can go from “good” to “great” if she’s willing to make some sacrifices. Sacrifices to whom, though?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: This book has instances of self-harm, body dysmorphia, violence, racism, and classism. There is also some rough language and some light instances of sex. Nothing too racy, or violent. But some challengers might call to the supernatural or occult sections of this book, and say they want it banned because of that. I would point out to them that there are sections of the library that deal with true life occult in our nonfiction section, and this is just fictional. I would also provide them with a copy of our collection development policy.
Reason for Inclusion: When I told the Young Adult Librarian at the library where I work that I was working on a blog she suggested this book, as it was new to our library. I’m glad she did, as it was just up my alley – horror with a touch of the supernatural and the occult!
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