![]() ![]() ![]() The number of scenes in which Willow self-harms is surprisingly low, given the novel’s focus is on the progression of her self-harm addiction. There are plenty of more creative ways to demonstrate the complex mindset of an individual who self-harms that don’t rely on floral imagery or shoe-horned exposition. 1 Such figurative language is the easy way out for writers when it comes to depicting self-harm. “Willow,” however, uses romantic language to compare her injuries to peonies-“ Peonies like the ones my mother used to plant” (pg. After all, “Cut” opened similarly and was successful in portraying the act with utmost care. The novel opens with a scene of self-harm, which is not in of itself a bad thing. The novel “Willow” by Julia Hoban unfortunately misses the mark-in its attempts to tell a story about romance conquering grief, it grossly misrepresents individuals who commit self-injurious behavior. It’s important to accurately depict the mindset of someone who self-harms, of course, but it’s equally important to not alienate or point fingers at those who may act on the same impulses. ![]() When writing about a topic as sensitive as self-harm, there’s an unspoken requirement for sensitivity. ![]()
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