Phantom Limbs

Phantom Limbs
Written by Paula Garner
Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Diversity
Expected Publication December 1st 2016
368 Pages
Thank you to Walker Books Australia
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★★★★☆
Otis and Meg were inseparable until her family abruptly moved away after the terrible accident that left Otis's little brother dead and both of their families changed forever. Since then, it's been three years of radio silence, during which time Otis has become the unlikely protege of eighteen year old Dara, part drill sergeant, part friend, who's hell bent on transforming Otis into the Olympic swimmer she can no longer be.

But when Otis learns that Meg is coming back to town, he must face some difficult truths about the girl he's never forgotten and the brother he's never stopped grieving. As it becomes achingly clear that he and Meg are not the same people they were, Otis must decide what to hold on to and what to leave behind. Quietly affecting, this compulsively readable debut novel captures all the confusion, heartbreak, and fragile hope of three teens struggling to accept profound absences in their lives.
For three years, the crisp, cool water has been a constant companion for sixteen year old Otis, his life now irrevocably impaired. Grieving and despondent after losing his best friend, Otis was afforded an opportunity to cultivate his technique with the possibility of the Olympic dream. Dara was once a fierce competitor but after an accident claimed her arm, she sees Otis as a substitute for her own success, once unfulfilled ambitions despite Otis and his insistence that he's incapable of reaching Olympic level. Underneath his once splintered facade, Otis is slowly reclaiming his life once more, coming to terms with Mason's death and expressing sorrow through poetry. Earning him the nickname of Shakespeare amongst his peers.

The kiss under the magnolia tree, the whispered declaration of love, burying Mason and after three harrowing years of silence, Meg is coming home.

My Thoughts

Phantom Limbs is a gentle yet wonderfully written exploration of grief and the imprint left behind by those who touch our lives. Poignant and quietly hopeful, Otis is a character that represents a life once bound by sadness, depicted compassionately and delicately. Simply beautiful.

Otis is a young man wise beyond his years, sensitive and contemplative and I admired his quiet resilience from the very first page. We're first introduced to Otis the athlete, the black line beneath the water his steadfast companion as a surly Dara hurls thinly veiled motivational abuse in her position as coach slash maybe friend slash emotional support. Dara is an significant support in Otis' life, using not only swimming as an anchor but her formula of brutal honesty was often strangely delightful and quite charming. She's a tyrant, he has a cavalier attitude but under their blasé facade these two love, care and nurture one another so tenderly.

Although following Otis, Phantom Limbs is very much Dara's journey, a character I loved fiercely and found her narrative more compelling. Still a young woman, Dara conceals her anguish beneath the surface of a hardened facade, the loss of her mother, her wealthy single father, a Russian businessman who provides Dara with little more than financial support. Although seemingly at ease after the loss of her limb in a devastating accident, Dara experiences phantom limb pains, a condition often experienced by amputees and in Dara's circumstance, subdued by deceiving her cognition into believing her arm is still physically present through the use of a mirror. It was fascinating and a condition I hadn't heard of prior to reading Phantom Limbs. Dara is a private person and internalises her anxiety, both with her condition and sexuality. She's angry, scared and imperfectly flawed to perfection.

After three years of silence, Meg is coming back to town and it's abundantly clear that Otis is still in love with his former friend and childhood sweetheart. Meg left town while Otis was still grieving for his brother Mason. Before Meg's arrival, Otis begins to distance himself from Dara unconsciously which left me feeling irate. In conjunction with professional therapy, Dara was a comfort for Otis during his darkest moments and offered him purpose and an outlet to channel his grief. That bastard. It felt as though he only cared for his own needs.

I found Meg to be quite charming. She's matured and grown as a young woman since leaving town, returning with a reserved perspective. She isn't the strong, free spirited girl she once was and I felt Otis was pushing the boundaries of their tentative friendship even knowing that Meg was in a relationship.

Meg, Otis and Dara are three contrasting and multifaceted individuals that authenticates how complex, delicate and imperfect we are. Our adolescent years are often when we discover our sense of self, self worth and our own ideals and beliefs that debut author Paula Garner portrayed beautifully and faithfully. Loved it immensely.

20 comments

  1. Cool cover and cool review :) Thank you for sharing Kelly :) i never knew about phantomc limb condition before. It seems interesting story! :)

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    1. It was such a magnificent read Hana. My only complaint is that I would have loved reading Dara's point of view.

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  2. I'm thrilled to see you loved this one, Kelly! I thought it was underrated and lovely story. I loved all the characters, but I had a special fondness for Dara as well. Otis had a great story arch too.
    I can't wait to read more from Paula! :)
    Wonderful review!

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    1. Dara just made my heart soar! She was sassy, tough and snarky. Everything I look for in an independent and brilliant female character. I loved her friendship with Otis, but she deserved so much more from him. I'd love to see her with her own story one day, the loss of her arm and exploring her sexuality.

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  3. I hadn't heard of this one before, but it sounds like an amazing and emotional story. I'm definitely going to give it a try. :) Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3

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    1. Thanks Zoe. It's honestly been one of my favourite reads this year. It's incredible and the ending is perfection. Although it may not please some.

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  4. I've heard of "Phantom Limbs" before and its actually quite scary when you think about it. I don't have my arm anymore but... I can still feel it's there sometimes?? CREEPY. I had a bad cavity and had to get one of my teeth taken out last year, so sometimes I can still feel the pangs of when I had the cavity! CREEPIER.

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    1. It truly would be. It's amazing how the mind works though, I can't even imagine how devastating it would be to experience. The pain, but also the trauma it places upon your body. I would absolutely love to see what you think of this one.

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  5. Oh I'm so glad you liked this! When everyone got it for review I bought it because...okay mainly because of the cover, not going to lie. Can't wait to read!

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    1. It's honestly amazing, so many feels and such a beautiful honesty to the storyline. I can't wait to see what you think!

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  6. I am so excited to read this because I've heard nothing but amazing things AND I recently requested it from Walker Books too! Plus the cover is SOO GORGEOUS!

    xx Anisha (https://sprinkledpages.blogspot.com.au)

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    1. It was nothing short of incredible Anisha and that cover is absolutely gorgeous. I love the connection to the pool that has changed both Otis and Dara's lives. Can't wait for you to read it!

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  7. Oh wow this sounds fascinating! Another one for my TBR list :-).

    I'm staring at the cover feeling like this is a book I need as paperback so I can snuggle up under a blanket with it on a raining Sunday once winter comes around again.

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    1. It's magnificent and one of my favourite reads this year Sarah. So wonderfully written and emotionally. I loved it immensely.

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  8. TOTALLY agree with you on this one. I was SUCH a fan. I had SO MANY FEELS. I was mad at Otis too, but then sometimes I would get mad at Dara, sometimes Meg, but I still loved each of them. I was so afraid Meg would end up in some kind of MPDG role, but she didn't at all, which was awesome. Plus, SWIMMING. Seriously, this book was such a win! Great review, I am so glad you liked it too!

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    1. I went through the same emotions Shannon. I liked him, then I didn't but really didn't like the way he treated Dara at times. She was abrasive, but she just really needed a friend. It was magnificent and a book I'll read again and again.

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  9. goodness, your reviews are always so beautiful and heart touching. It's amazing how much you loved this book, the characters and their voices really sound like they got to you and hopefully wont be forgotten.

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    1. Thank you for such a lovely compliment Lily, it has truly made my day.

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  10. Beautiful review, Kelly. This sounds like a powerful and meaningful story. I already put this book on my tbr-list.

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  11. Wow. This book sounds brilliant, and heartbreaking and powerful. A wonderful review :)

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