Following on from Beautiful Broken Things, a story of friendship, love and heartache amongst three teenage girls; Caddy, Rosie, and Suzanne, Fierce Fragile Hearts is a beautiful and moving story, which is, in my opinion, slightly superior to its prequel. This time, Suzanne is the main focus of the story, and we see her return to Brighton after two years – and since she hit rock-bottom.
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed Fierce Fragile Hearts so much, as I didn’t think it could top Beautiful Broken Things. I had found Suzanne mildly grating in Beautiful Broken Things – but perhaps that was the point? Maybe Barnard wanted us to see her as a bad influence on Caddy? So I had reservations about whether I’d enjoy a novel where she was the main character. But I fell in love with her fairly quickly, and enjoyed how her character developed.
Barnard takes you on a journey of understanding Suzanne and her back story, even more so than in the first book, in such a way that you cannot help but empathise with her. She shows you the true complexities of a family with painful realness, and how you can hurt someone even when you think you’re doing the right thing.
A nice element of the story is incorporated into how the relationship between Suzanne and her brother plays out. They share a love of music, and Barnard reflects this by naming each of the chapters after a different song.
It is heart-warming and devastating in equal measures. We follow how Suzanne learns to cope with the next phase of her life, finding a job and living alone – essentially being left behind when Caddy and Rosie leave Brighton to go to university. She has to navigate old and new relationships, and at times I’m sure you’ll share her emotions. However, I think you’ll be satisfied with the ending as it rounds things up nicely, as Suzanne comes to accept herself and her situation. It can be a lesson to us all.
Fierce Fragile Hearts is aimed at older teenage readers, however it’s enjoyable for adults, and I think you’ll get more out of it if you have a little life experience. I highly recommend this book. I was absorbed in the story and didn’t want it to end. I really hope Barnard continues the saga.
Other Notable Works by Sara Barnard:
- Destination Anywhere 2021
- A Quiet Kind of Thunder 2017
- Beautiful Broken Things (Beautiful Broken Things, 1) 2016
Book Edition Information:
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
ISBN: 978-1-5098-5288-8
Presented Edition: 2019
Cover Design: Arts Dept Pan Macmillan (Rachel Vale)
Background image courtesy of Anthony Cantin on Unsplash
