Book Review: “The Spineless Porcupine: Why Our Difference Are Superpowers” by Say Yang

“The Spineless Porcupine: Why Our Difference Are Superpowers” by Say Yang

Genre: Magicial Realism, Fantasy, Fiction

Page Length: 178 pages (paperback edition)

Synopsis:

“If you could only choose one kind of life, what would you choose?” Pearson asked. “One with quills living like every other porcupine or one that’s trailblazing a new path in the vast wilderness?”

Mattie, the first porcupine born without any spines, is banished from her clan for being different. She’s quickly picked up by the circus due to her commercial potential. At first, she loves the attention, but soon an emptiness grows deep within. That’s when Pearson convinces her they belong in the wilderness instead of being enslaved under a ringmaster’s control.

Will her heartache finally end by escaping from the golden prison of performing, producing, and perfecting?

Follow Mattie and Pearson’s fantastical journey as they face their painful pasts only to discover their differences are their superpowers. It’s an unforgettably rare story that speaks to every age because it’s about what we all desire: to feel comfortable in our own skin.

Review:

The Spineless Porcupine is a story about Mattie, a spinless porcupine who is ostracized from her community and ends up being banished from her own clan. From her journey through the woods, time spent at a circus, and through meeting other animals she learns a lot about her herself. Mattie has been taught her whole life that her differences make her weak, but she soon learns that it can be her strength and own uniqueness.

Watching her journey of self-love was touching and bittersweet at the same time. Mattie has to face some harsh truths from her and the people that she meets and claims to be her friend. These obstacles help to challenge her to become stronger and more confident of who she is. I loved the novel’s message of inclusion and diversity and the way Yang makes it relatable to a wide audience. The way uses magical realism and animals to share a motivational message about loving ourselves was sweet and I think a lot of readers will be able to see themselves in the book.

I enjoyed reading this novel and see the types of animals Mattie interact with on her way back home. They are able to open her eyes to something new and help her to become a more well-rounded animal. It was lighthearted, uplifting, and at many times put a smile on my face.

Final Verdict: