We Are All So Good at Smiling

We Are All So Good at Smiling
Amber McBride
Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan, 2023
283 pages
Grades 9-Up
Fantasy/Narrative Poetry

Narrative poems trace the account of teenager Whimsy, who begins her story back in the hospital to treat her clinical depression. She is obsessed with fairytales and knows that she is magic. It is with surprise when Whimsy encounters the new resident in her therapy group: a fae boy with hidden wings named Faerry. The two share a connection, through she tries to keep him at arm's length. Upon release the teens are reunited when Faerry moves to Whimsy's neighborhood and they strike up an unlikely friendship. At the end of the street is a forest that draws both teenagers to it, though they are also scared of it. Whimsy hasn't entered the forest since an incident years ago that her family has tried to bury in the past and make her forget. Of course they go into the forest to face the past that is calling to them. Once inside they enter a magic garden and meet Sorrow, as well as other fairytale characters. It is up to Whimsy and Faerry to outsmart Sorrow and follow the quest along the Yellow Brick Road in order to encounter the truth of their shared past and find peace and healing.

This is the sophomore effort of the author of Me (Moth), a title from 2021 which was critically acclaimed. McBride crafts another work of art, still within the themes of depression and overcoming trauma, yet now within the framework of fairytales. I personally love fairytales and enjoy seeing traditional characters reworked in new settings and situations. The fairytale elements serve as metaphors and honestly sometimes went over my head. It is never entirely clear if the story was fully what happened or part of the main character's mental illness, though it doesn't really matter. Much like Dorothy's trip to Oz, the point is the journey, the people encountered and lessons learned along the way. The writing is startling beautiful and I reread certain passages to savor them longer. I think that this book, though wonderfully crafted, will prove to be a bit artsy for the target audience, who may not have a background in fairytales or the patience to to savor the writing. That said, it reads quickly and never strays from the basic plot or swirly dark mood. Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's work, the best audience is nerdy adults. Information and resources for clinical depression, a glossary of fairy tale characters, brief summaries of the stories referenced, and--best of all--a playlist are included at the end of the volume. A lovely and moving book that may have to work to find it's readership.