Status Updates From Remember the Bees: A Novel

Omg le plot twist de zinzin

Beautiful writing

Beautiful description of stimming to self soothe

“…if ever the pain were too much, he could grab onto a goat's horns, climb onto its back, lie down with his stomach flat against its coat, and close his eyes since the foliage lashes had failed to keep out his mother's screams. It would be okay, because he'd forget everything when he touched the goat, even his mother.”

“Knowing that the goats are there and that they couldn't care less about her howling gives him solace, because tangible, eternal things like goats exist and always will. Though he'll probably never do it, Anir thinks that if ever the branch lashes and their foliage weren't enough anymore…”

“He clings to every lash, each one becoming a strong, powerful branch that keeps the screams at a distance and carries him, showing him the way out of class, out of school, and out of the village. Every time, the branch lashes lead him to the narrow trail near the goats, who seem entirely indifferent to his mother's screams.”

“He can't explain how or why, but from time to time we all rely on little things like this to keep us going, and for Anir, having his lids huddled close against his eyes with just a tiny gap between them and the foliage of his lashes, well, it comforts the deepest part of him.”

“…. having learned over the years to make his way with his eyes shut. Most of the time he opens them just enough to see a sliver, really just shapes and his lashes like foliage between him and reality. Looking at life through this foliage of sorts helps too.”