Mentions: sexual assault, PTSD, homophobia, and bullying
What does healing look and feel like after trauma? What kinds of stories do we tell about survivors or deem worthy of telling? How is our memory shaped by trauma? How does our interconnectedness as humans allow survivors to live and thrive again? These are some of the questions, among many others, that Anna-Maria McLemore evokes in their book, The Mirror Season.
Throughout this book, McLemore, who is nonbinary Latinx, uses magical realism to help the reader better understand trauma. They use glass and mirrors as a portal to explore the characters’ relationship to themselves, others, and what they’ve gone through. Although our traumas have the ability to shape us into someone unrecognizable to ourselves and cast shadows upon places where we once only saw light, those are not the only realities. When we are in community or share space with others, we are able to heal our wounds in an imperfect but very human way. More often than not, our traumas mirror and reflect back to us exactly that which we do not wish or desire to see, but ultimately bring us to a deeper embodiment of our truths. The Mirror Season is just that, a portal into our unhealed selves, to give language to a reality that often isn’t discussed, and give us permission to voice ourselves to our chosen community.
Image from Publisher website.
Although The Mirror Season’s not a monolithic representation of all survivors and their stories, Graciela Cristales and Locke Thomas are their own. Notably, the characters in this book who experience sexual assault are not solely women or straight. The story is told from Graciela’s, also known as Ciela, point of view. The reader is taken on a journey exploring how the memory and body respond to trauma, in a very real and tangible way. However, Ciela and Locke are not only their traumas. Ciela is La Bruja de los Pasteles, and has the don de adivinanza y conocimiento; she knows exactly what kind of pan dulce a person wants. All that changes after experiencing assault and other horrific events. Locke is a crocheter, and becomes so passionate about botany that he creates his own magical forest. Additionally, they both are not only victims of violence, but contribute to each other's violation. They are not perfect and learn as they go, despite the violence done to them. They are human. They are survivors and catalysts to each other’s healing journeys.
Although one can definitely read this book solo, the novel works within a group context where people can hold space for each other as they read and discuss the book. I suggest having some resources or tools to help with grounding on deck. Reading about sexual assault, PTSD, homophobia, and bullying can be difficult and may be triggering. There’s no shame in needing support if you decide to read this book. Read at the speed of your nervous system, and remember that your embodiment is of utmost importance to the work of liberation.
Connect with author Anna-Maria McLemore on the below platforms to find out more about them & their works:
Twitter: @LaAnnaMarie
Website: annamariemclemore.com
Alondra Vargas-Soto is a creative and Boricua from Brooklyn, New York. They have received their BA in English: Creative Writing and Music: Vocal from Hunter College. Alo loves writing poetry and can usually be found bailando, practicing yoga, or exploring the world around them. Connect with them on Instagram @corriente_alo.
