Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas was a relatively
quick read for me due to its poetic structure and evocative story. This was
actually the first book I’ve read in such a writing form, that being said it did have it’s
drawbacks but first I want to talk about the many positives of Because I Am
Furniture by Thalia Chaltas. A brief synopsis (via amazon.com):
“Anke’s father is abusive to her brother and
sister but not to her. Because, to him, she is like furniture— not even worthy
of the worst kind of attention. Then Anke makes the school volleyball team. She
loves feeling her muscles after workouts, an ache that reminds her she is real.
Even more, Anke loves the confidence that she gets from the sport. And as she
learns to call for the ball on the court, she finds a voice she never knew she
had. For the first time, Anke is making herself seen and heard, working toward
the day she will be able to speak up loud enough to rescue everyone at home—
including herself.”
I feel like through the author’s choice of
writing style for her character we really get to know Anke in a deeply personal
way. The fact that this girl is at the start of her teens and having to deal
with the traumas of her family is both thought provoking and very realistic.
Anke is always aware even when she goes unnoticed and she knows of the dangers
of her abusive father as to what he does to her mother, brother, and sister.
She watches everyone daily and struggles with wanting to not only be free of
her family but to also be a normal teenager enjoying life.
At the start of the book Anke talks of joining a
sports team and the wanting of acceptance within the group. In a word-frenzy of
“I’ve made it! I’ve made it! I’ve made the team!” we see a side of Anke that
isn’t masked. We see Anke as a typical girl, ordinary, in her pursuits of
achieving but than flash-forward a few pages and we see a darker side: one
where Anke is only 5 years old. Her mother hides gum in the kitchen because her
father does not like chewing gum. She sneaks down for a piece to chew before he
awakes but is greeted later by her father wanting to smell her breath, catching
her in the lie.
Because of Anke, her mother gets threatened,
chairs are thrown, and she is verbally (as well as most likely physically)
abused by her father, all in front of a 5 year old child’s eyes. It really puts
into perspective that though young, kids see everything and they do not forget.
Through all of the challenges Anke has to face you find yourself really wanting
more for her, to survive and stay strong within the turmoil. She struggles to
find her voice and self-worth, something that I think a lot of us have trouble
with in this world regardless of the circumstances we are dealt. With Anke we
get to see the starting of knowing who you are and who you truly can become.
A few things I didn’t like about Because I
Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas would have to be the writing style. Since it was
written in free verse a lot of the characters we met through the story were
left to the wayside. Also, at times it was confusing because I never really
knew what day it was or where we were and due to that there was a lack of
character as well as plot development. I would say this book is definitely one
of those that you’ll have to read a good few times to really take in
everything.
Coming into Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas I
didn’t really expect too much of this book but was pleasantly surprised. It’s a
different type of book in its genre. I would still recommend this book to those
that love to read about “realistic trauma”. Thalia Chaltas does a wonderful job
in really getting into the head of a teenager stuck in an awful situation. I
felt like I was reading Anke’s diary almost the vulnerability and intimate
words really hit home. All in all Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas is a beautiful read.
“I am always there.
But they don't care if I am
because I am furniture.
I don't get hit
I don't get fondled
I don't get love
because I am furniture
Suits me fine.”
But they don't care if I am
because I am furniture.
I don't get hit
I don't get fondled
I don't get love
because I am furniture
Suits me fine.”
- Anke