Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

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.” 

- Anke