Have you ever read a book so good that you wish you hadn’t given other books five stars? We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry was that book for me. We Ride Upon Sticks was one of the most refreshing books I have read in a long time and even though I finished it over a month ago, I simply can’t stop thinking about it.
Barry’s storytelling was somehow able to make me nostalgic for a high school experience I didn’t even have, considering I was born in 1999 and the book is set in the prime of the ‘80s (think: big hair and bigger prom dresses). I know what you’re thinking- how hard is it for an author to transport you back in the time? This was different somehow. I felt like I was right there with the team in New Hampshire at field hockey camp, in the locker room, and in Salem on Halloween night.
When I read the description for We Ride Upon Sticks I was a bit wary- a high school field hockey team turning into witches? I struggle with “realistic fantasy” like this as I usually just find it too hard to believe- but this book was unlike anything I had ever read before. I felt the connection between the team almost as if I were on it, as if I had my own blue armband that fostering an invisible connection to them. Nothing about the witchcraft they partook in was unbelievable. It was actually crazy how much I did believe it. This book, although fiction, could have been a memoir and I would feel the same way.
As I got to know everyone on the team, the friend group became familiar and comfortable to me. I felt like I could predict how each of them would act in every scenario. One of my favorite parts of the book and of Barry’s writing is that the chapters alternated point of views, so by the end of the book I got to experience the witchcraft from each teammate’s perspective. So many small details made the whole book- Abby Putnam’s fruit obsession, Jenn’s hair dye, Becca’s double sports bras, and Heather’s college essay drafts. And let me tell you, the internal thoughts of the girls on the team were hilarious. I am always hesitant to call a book “funny”, but I can confidently say that Barry’s humor is perfect. This book had me laughing out loud and reading passages over again so I could savor the moment!
So many parts of this book were my “favorite” that I don’t know if I can narrow them down. To me, the most amusing parts of this book were the moments of group think between all of the teammates. By the end of the season they were quite literally all up in each other’s business as mental lines began to blur. The best part of this extremely clever concept was Barry’s anthropomorphism (giving inanimate objects human qualities) of “Le Splotch” (the suspicious red lump on Mel’s neck) and “The Claw” (Jenn’s hair- I admit to having to look this up to visualize it!). The funniest comments always came from one of the two. I also just loved the premise of this story. The team wanted to become state champs, so obviously… witchcraft. The rebel-rousing mischief of these teens was refreshing and hilarious. It made me wish I wasn’t such a goody-goody myself in high school.
We Ride Upon Sticks was just tons of fun. I haven’t felt such a strong bond to characters in ages- I was so sad to finish this book! I know I will be rereading it in the future for a dose of humor, friendship, and a whole lot of mischief.
Rating: 5/5 (or 6/5?!) wind sprints
I urge you to read this one if you have the chance!
xx, Lauren
Comments