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In the rugged Pacific Northwest lies the Olympic National Forest—nearly a million acres of impenetrable darkness and impossible beauty. From deep within this old growth forest, a six-year-old girl appears. Speechless and alone, she offers no clue as to her identity, no hint of her past.
Having retreated to her western Washington hometown after a scandal left her career in ruins, child psychiatrist Dr. Julia Cates is determined to free the extraordinary little girl she calls Alice from a prison of unimaginable fear and isolation. To reach her, Julia must discover the truth about Alice’s past—although doing so requires help from Julia’s estranged sister, a local police officer. The shocking facts of Alice’s life test the limits of Julia’s faith and strength, even as she struggles to make a home for Alice—and for herself.
*****
Title : Wild / Magic Hour
Author : Kristin Hannah
Published year : July 2020
Pages : 480
Genre : Fiction
Age recommendation : 13+
After Nightingale, I know I wouldn't be able to stop myself when seeing Kristin Hannah publish a new book and hit the local bookstore. Especially when it is on discount. Yet, I missed it in 2020-2021 and finally purchased it just now.
I think everyone knows that Kristin Hannah is one of a hell storyteller. Reading her book is like watching a great quality movie where we learn a lot about history or American classic stories, Wild is one of them.
The story started with the downfall of Dr. Julia Cates's reputation. Born in a small town to a famous family, little Julia always struggles to find her own place in the family or the town. She decided to leave the town, built her career in LA, and make a name for herself. But everything she built is destroyed because of a scandal that almost cost her jail time. Even though she was finally proved innocent by the court, public opinion did not agree with that.
Back in her hometown, Ellie Cates, once a homecoming queen, the beauty of the town, now served as chief police. Once in a calm and quiet city, suddenly there is a commotion, a girl is found at the top of a maple tree near a rain forest and brings a wolf pup with her.
It is one thing that never happened, and Ellie must find a way to solve the mystery of that girl. But the girl is either mute, deaf, or autistic. She refused to speak, and simple interaction didn't work. She howled, eat like a beast and move like a wolf. Ellie realizes, she would need help and her sister, Julia is the best in the field.
No longer having clients, Julie decides to help Ellie, even though she must face her own demon for the consequences.
Meeting the wild girl, Julie knows that she has a lot of trauma under her little malnourished body. Every day, she works 18 hours to try to find the best method to treat her. Meanwhile, Ellie works at her best to find the girl's identification. But no one claimed her from the neighboring cities, she try to invite the national press, so many people will help her to search for her family. But her sister is the cost. Bring Julia to the spotlight, and even gain national exposure, but they only highlight her past scandal.
But they decide to do anything for the girl. Even Julie's biggest fear. The press keeps nagging her, questioning her ability and credibility, many bodies try to get a hold of the case to advance their own career. That's why Julie decides to be the foster parent for the girl.
Slowly, the girl learns one or two words from Julie. She even didn't mind getting closer to Julie. Though she doesn't understand what Julie said, she like Julie from her warm smile and beautiful sound. She learns to trust her.
Though they are making progress, it is not big enough from the public's perspective. The press soon lost interest which mean it will harder to find the girl's parents.
Doubting her ability, and past trauma, Julie endured the difficulties in the process to treat the girl. But in the process, she falls in love. She loves the girl so much that decides to adopt her. But not long, the girl's troubled father appears.
The handsome guy that just released from jail, for the murder of his wife and child charge. Will Julie give up and release the girl to her biological father? Meanwhile, Ellie, the hopeless romantic that always unable to say no to a handsome guy, will she fall again to a handsome guy and sacrifice her sister?
Yes, the plot is like always, Kristin Hannah made it so well. The family theme is still her core, and this time the bond between her estranged sister that tested again once they start bonding.
Though it is a bit predictable like no other of her previous book, I enjoyed the read. Everyone is struggle to fight their own demon. Julie, her past memories, and her self-confidence. She always being her sister's shadow and back to her hometown, made her small again no matter how successful she is. Ellie, always being the center of attention, keeps questioning why her marriage always failed and wondering why her sister dislikes her, can she prove to the world that she is a competent chief? not only the beauty without a brain. And the girl, Alice, only knows how to live in danger, can she trust strangers that offered her shelter? she only knows she is a bad girl. Didn't deserve to be loved.
One thing that disturbs me, is how Julie conduct research to find a clue about the girl's symptoms, by googling. It is rather shocked me since Julie is high profile psychiatrist. Why would someone with a long record of patients, googling the type of autistic?
However, I must admit that Wild didn't affect me as much as Hannah's previous books (especially Great Alone) but still, I enjoy reading it. Kristin Hannah is one of the best American authors out there.
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