Like Glass by Sylvia Wilde
When repressed memories float above the level of consciousness and disturb a living soul with haunting nightmares, literature bursts forth into several individual theories culminating in a single solid pursuit – the significance of existence. Sylvia Wilde’s “Like Glass” mirrors those existential crises that keep Trey tethered in the same stake of reminiscing… reminiscing the past, that she has left behind but cannot erase from her vein and soul – her ill-tempered, heartless, crude father, her insensitive siblings, her unrequited love for Rose, and her frothing disgust for religious bigotry.
Throughout the novel, two parallel narrative plots are trekking side by side in alternative chapters. Trey’s emotional Odyssey is brought together in two timelines: one from the past and the other from the present. She cannot recuperate her scars, and cannot forget and forgive those who should have loved her but fail.
“If you’re expecting a love story, this sure as hell isn’t it.” Page 14
Like Glass by Sylvia Wilde
Love proves to be something poisonous and humiliating- butchered and corrupted on the hecatomb of orthodox society and religion. The anecdote of Bobby and Penelope, stances as an example of that frail society where Mrs. Rich, Penelope’s mother and Frey’s dad stand as representatives.
Will it be possible for Frey to come back at peace with herself? Will she find her love?
Sylvia Wilde’s “Like Glass” captures multiple themes, from feminism to religious dogmatism to lesbianism. Language is dipped with despondency yet cannot allow you to escape the onslaughts. Trey’s journey becomes your own and Trey’s frustration or rebellion whatever you want to term it, seeps into your veins. That’s the greatest acumen of Wilde’s illustrious pen.
Alvina’s Verdict:
There is nothing I want to raise my voice against. Editing is flawless. This novel though sometimes dragging with a lingering monopoly of despondency, touches my soul. I feel attached to Trey’s voice, though singular yet plural. Trey stands for all of us, stamped and signed as women, prescribed with some particular traits, chained by distinguished behavioural patterns. Sylvia Wilde’s “Like Glass” is a sensitive reading irrespective of the cynical undertone of the narrative voice. I am mesmerized by the author’s grip on language and emotion. In her pursuit of authenticity Trey surpasses my familiar characters. I wish to read more from Wilde and recommend this book to every person especially women, who have chosen to reason against the conventional, stereotyped, society. Frey is the symbol of feminism: “So, yeah- my parents made it pretty fucking clear that I was supposed to stay feminine and enticing, packaged in pink skirts with weak little arms and skinny calves.” Page 900
Trey is not a character whom her parents can fit into a box of their own liking. She cannot accept her humiliation that she should be a babysitter rather than a basketball player. There are some sensitive issues like religion, rape, suicide, drug, and alcoholism, but they are ingrained in the tapestry of this fictitious documentary of life.
Sorry I cannot refrain from quoting these lines, they are so beautiful.
” It’s a hunger of the soul- to give and to receive, to be and to become.” 1069
“Love is a strange notion. Turns out I’ve never had it. Sometimes I don’t even want it. What causes a person to desire something so slippery and false? It manifests like a promise broken, a secret unkept, an embrace forever denied. As if a future that never arrives.”
” It is a hunger of the soul- to give and to receive, to be and to become. Existing as a whisper in the face of the roaring ocean. Or a hand held out to still a tempest.” Page 1070.
” I’m not going to live up to anyone’s expectations.” Page 582
Are not they enthralling?
