Our Shared Shelf discussion

Hi, I finished the Fierce Femmes a while ago but still taking me a while to process my thoughts - thanks everyone for sharing some discussion points and Kai's interview was interesting too.
In my attempt to engage more with discussing the book I thought to open up the discussion space... still processing my thoughts but I will come back in a day or so.

A few questions but of course happy to hear any thoughts about the book.

What did you think of:
Part 4: Forgiveness?
Part 5: Escape?

Overall thoughts about the book and sequence of events?

What did you think of the choice of the word "Confabulous" and how it relates to the whole book? ( psychology definition: fabricate imaginary experiences as compensation for loss of memory. formal English : to have a conversation/)?

And if you were to critically review it - how would you rate the book in GoodReads Star rating and other review thoughts?

To update - well I have mixed thoughts - as Kai Cheng Thom writes with magical realism + blurring lines of reality ~ fantasy, truth ~ confabulation...so I suspended expectations of a straightforward memoir portrayal based on facts/truth & instead immersed myself in her prose, taking what the author wanted to give ~ at times dizzying, spellbinding, exquisite (especially the first 2 parts) - ultimately enjoyed the use metaphors (especially Ghost Friend, the bees and place analogies) and the vivid imagery, & the unique creative writing style...a short volume but by the end final 2 parts I felt the author rushed it a bit...potentially there could’ve been scope for further exploration near the end. Also I was struck by the double meaning of the title word “Confabulous” while aspects
of the story are conflated it all flowed like a conversation with the main character’s voice. 3.5 stars.

Curious to know what others think as my thoughts around the end are still a work in progress.

Hey there! I'll definitely write something but I'm busy right now (and I need to refresh those parts in my mind). I'm just leaving a comment here to encourage people to be involved in discussing those chapters! 😉

Alright, I just finished those parts again in the train.

So about Forgiveness, to me what would summerize this part would be "the calm after the storm" (I know it is not the correct expression... Oops...). Indeed the first chapters seem to be focused on appeasement and releasing resent and anger to feel peace. The chapter with Alzena made me think of the release of something that overwhelmed us and we need to express "it's good for you," she says, "to cry sometimes. Even if there isn't a reason." and you will be able to stop hurting people when you can stop hurting yourself," she says. . I get it as" forgive to yourself." then we have some kind of reconciliation. The Femmes unit again through peaceful appeasement even Rapunzelle and Kimaya are still angry at each other, it's like they clear the air. However we sort of understand that Kimaya has a certain control over girls just like she wanted to shape them like she wants, is that to help them or to live a life we was not given to her through the other girls life? Maybe a bit of both.

I was happy she free herself from the bees but I admit that I felt uncomfortable through her relationship with Josh. Uncomfortable is probably a poor choice of word sorry but I felt she was sticking herself somewhere rather than blooming.

It brings me to the last part (my favourite!). The aforementioned feeling I had got intensified through the 1st chapter of the last part when she is having dinner with Josh and his parents. It felt not honest and sincere and I wanted to tell her "get out of here please...". As the pages were turned I came to the conclusion she was shackling herself somehow and suppressing her development so I must admit I liked when she said "I don't belong here." and to me this escape looks like she is being free at the end :)

Overall feeling about the book? An amazing story of someone who breaks her chains, finds herself, develops herself and is ready to live life to the full 😊

OK, here was my little input. My train is almost arrived and I'll have to get off it soon.

Interesting thoughts Florian, thanks for sharing them.

I re-read the last section and cake across a thought-provoking line said by Kimaya (p.179) “Don’t get stuck in any one story, not even your own.”

Yeah, that is a good advice written by Kimaya. What I like with this character is how kind and gentle she is but she may be quite tough and direct when you reach the limits. On the other hand, I have issues with her control behavior.

Ironically Kimaya seems to be stuck in her own story.

Kate, do you think a thread regarding the different characters would be interesting?

Yes true, I guess perhaps a case of “do as a say not as I do” and also illustrative of realistic human flaws.
Sure, that would be interesting to discuss.

I agree with what was said above & thank the other readers for their thoughtful reviews.

I did feel the "bees" were sort of symbolic of her inner demons/any past traumas, and that was something she was able to slowly work past, thanks to the strengths of the other femmes and Ghost Friend. I feel like Ghost Friend helps represent her gradually working past her demons, and her recovery journey until she starts to blossom into her fuller self near end of the narrative.

I had mixed feelings about her relationship with Josh- if she was still growing & developing herself career-wise, or personally, it could have been a good thing. But, I feel that she just stagnated, placed herself in the relationship with Josh, cause he represented safety, security to her. She liked the idea of being together w/someone, but it wasn't a mature relationship where both people are challenging themselves & striving to be better, together. I would have been ok with it, later in the book, if she got together with someone else, and kept growing, blooming, and thriving herself in the relationship.

Also, had mixed feelings overall about the ending, or lack thereof. I kind of felt like Kai Cheng Thom sold out by just having her run away again, and not developing the protagonist more or explaining what happened on her journey next as a character. The ambiguous ending about her actual fate is more real-real-life, I guess, b/c events in real life just keep continuing on & on without clear endings. Sometimes, the selfish bookworm in me just wants a clear-cut, bows-on-the-present-box-tied ending, I guess.

Overall, a very well-written, entertaining, & imaginative book with messages about the issues of prejudice, challenges of young adulthood, & finding yourself that are very relevant today.