What a heartbreakingly beautiful book. I will try my best to write a review deserving of Being Fishkill by Ruth Lehrer, but I know it’s unlikely I’ll do it justice. First, I should say that this story is deep—the main protagonist is a twelve (turned thirteen) year old girl living in rural poverty struggling to make sense of her situation. Carmel Fishkill makes friends with Duck-Duck Farina and her life is forever changed. Through Fishkill’s poetic and observant narrative we learn how a family can be created, how the family that you’re born into doesn’t need to define the choices you make in life, and witness the fortitude needed to continue forward after tragic loss strips down all defenses.
The plot alone of this book blew me away. Once started I couldn’t put it down. I rooted for Fishkill from the start, wanting her and Duck-Duck to enjoy the fun created between the two. I enjoyed the way Duck-Duck grew and changed throughout the story and how understanding Fishkill was. Duck-Duck was once home schooled, and although she has a mature knowledge on how to use her mouth to her benefit, she lacks the street-smarts that Fishkill brings to the table. The two make a good team and the friendship between them was authentic and beautiful. Once Molly, Duck-Duck’s mom, realizes Fishkill is a child in need she doesn’t hesitate to open up her home. Despite the story being told by Fishkill we get a really good understanding on who these other characters are and can sense the emotion behind them. Even Keely, Fishkill’s mother, who was the antagonist of the story, was so rounded out. I hated her, but I also pitied and understood her.
What makes Being Fishkill stand out aside from the plot and compelling characters is the writing, or perhaps it would be adequate to say that the writing is what makes everything else such a success. Lehrer has skill I can only dream of. Fishkill’s words—Lehrer’s words—describes the injustice of poverty and how it relates to education, the cruelty of hunger, the difficulty of trusting and loving when the world has given you every reason not to, with such a simple, eloquent narrative.
Despite the pain endured by every character in this story, the ending was beautiful. I wondered, in intense suspense, as the pages waned down how there could be a resolution—if there would be a resolution. It was better than I could have imagined. I think the true skill Lehrer possess is the ability to tell such a tragic tale and yet leave the reader feeling a sense of peace.
Being Fishkill is a young adult novel that will take you by surprise, tear you up inside, and then put you back together again.