REVIEW: Fishtailing

Phillips, Wendy. Fishtailing. Coteau Books, 2010.
Pages [196p.] Price [$14.95.] ISBN[978-1-55050-411-8].

         

       This winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award follows the experiences of four teens- Natalie, Tricia, Kyle and Miguel written in their own free verse.  Natalie is a newcomer to Tricia, Kyle and Miguel’s high school with a notorious record for trouble.  She attracts the attention and curiosity of Tricia leading to what appears to be friendship.                                                                

         Both Natalie and Miguel have seriously disturbing histories that are revealed throughout their poetry.  They have both been damaged by their own tragedies and become entangled.  Similarly, Tricia catches Kyle’s attention. All four of the teens struggle with their own unique set of issues.                                                                    

        The use of free verse is effective as it reveals characters internal emotion and intention.  A warning to the faint of heart, Phillips does not gloss over serious teenage issues but delves into them.  Two words that best describe this four-part piece are: real and raw.  The work is aptly named Fishtailing as the characters become dangerously reckless throughout the novel.  I would recommend this book to ages 14 and up based on content that deals with “mature subject matter”. 

Lily-Katt gives it Five Claws out of Five for a gripping and emotional portrayal of teenage experience through verse.