Review of Hunger of the Pine

[Muskan Afzal-]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hunger of the Pine" by Teal Swan.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Teal Swan's 'Hunger of the Pine' chronicles a single year of Aria's life, with her past also being represented. She skips class on her seventeenth birthday, resulting in a nighttime meeting with her deviant foster father and reprimands from her pious foster mother. The next day, she cuts her upper arm to temporarily feel the anguish. Her prospects of being adopted, which were still pending, are significantly impacted when her foster mother finds her in the act. Feeling compelled, she goes to a psychiatrist's appointment. Later, she relives the anguish of rejection when overhearing a discussion between her foster parents. Stealthily leaving in the middle of the night with a change of clothing, a cat, and her diary, her year of living on the streets officially begins.

The tale explores human experience, weakness, and tenacity, delving deeply into life's delicate parts. Aria, a lovable protagonist, has her emotional challenges deftly depicted in the book, allowing readers to readily identify with her path. Teal pays close attention to every tiny detail, helping readers grasp her presentations thoroughly. The text is clear and uncomplicated. My favorite aspect of this novel is its powerful characters. Each character is given equal emotional weight and depth of comprehension. The majority of the book brought me to tears as it addressed profound realities and exposed flaws that yearned to be acknowledged, caressed, and seen.

I found nothing to dislike about this book. 'Hunger of the Pine' offers readers a compelling and engaging story, along with a thought-provoking view into the lives of those often ignored by society. With no simple fixes or overly hopeful endings, the narration feels realistic and authentic. Even after turning the last page, the narrative lingered in my mind.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because, all things considered, it's emotionally compelling, captivating, and professionally edited; I didn’t come across any grammatical errors. If you enjoy reading works that make you think about society's problems and the resilience of mankind in moments of hardship, 'Hunger of the Pine' might be a worthwhile choice for you.

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Hunger of the Pine
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