The Non-Linear Narrative and Depictions of Trauma in A Heart in a Body in the World

Authors

  • Caroline Erickson Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas

Abstract

Putting together a pithy summary of Deb Caletti’s 2018 YA novel A Heart in a Body in the World is difficult, because the premise—a high school senior running cross country from Seattle to D.C. after a tragedy—completely fails to capture the reason you should read this novel. Yes, the physical feats are interesting, and our protagonist’s youth plays an important role in her journey, but the reason you have to read A Heart in a Body in the World? No other book, for me, has so viscerally captured the experience of recovering from trauma.

Author Biography

  • Caroline Erickson, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas

    Caroline Erickson is a Kansas poet studying Creative Writing and Secondary English Education at Wichita State University. She serves as Undergraduate Assistant Editor for the journals Mikrokosmos and mojo and works as a 9th grade classroom tutor for GEAR UP. Her work can be found in the Spring 2020 issue of After the Pause and in the anthology Nuances. She can be reached at emerickson@shockers.wichita.edu.

Kansas English v.101, cover image

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Published

2020-06-29

Issue

Vol. 101 (2020)

Section

Book Reviews