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Cover of BEINGS
4.60

Based on 20 Goodreads ratings

BEINGS

by two troves of records, both beginning in 1961 but radically different in detail and tone. In one, Barney and Betty Hill, rational civil servants in an interracial marriage, are astonished to see a spaceship as they’re driving down a dark highway. The sighting—and the encounter that follows—alters the course of their lives as they become ambivalent public figures amid a rising din of UFO spotters and disbelievers. (The Archivist knows something about alien visitors, too, but is even more reluctant to claim the association.) Through the second set of historical files, the Archivist tracks the life of Phyllis Egerton, a young writer driven from home when her parents discover her romance with her best friend, Rosa. Her new life in Boston is thrilling—Masad paints an electric picture of Phyllis’ double life as a newspaper copy editor and a lesbian finding her people, sartorial style, and science\u002Dfiction writing voice—but necessarily clandestine, since this is the very real world of the ‘60s: Public homosexuality is a criminal act. We get Phyllis’ story firsthand through her yearning, then defiant, letters to Rosa. In contrast, the Archivist takes more liberties with Barney and Betty Hill’s story, since their records are less personal. Without apology, the historian fills in the gaps for the reader, telling us both the facts and their elisions or outright inventions. It’s an education—they know the histories of civil and gay rights, and from experience, they “have always felt drawn to those who are ridiculed, misunderstood, shamed.” Miraculously, Masad makes this dense braid of stories easy to follow, elegantly blending serpentine sentences, endearing and intimately observed characters, natural dialogue, and playful, generous asides to keep the reader in enthralled suspense."

Book Details

Publisher:Three gripping narratives entwine as supernatural encounters and personal revelations transform lives in the
Published:1960-01-01
Pages:300
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781639737

Reading Info

Age Range:16+

About This Book

This powerful novel explores the complex layers of identity formation as a young protagonist uncovers long-buried family secrets that reshape their understanding of heritage and self. Masad weaves a ...

Our Review

This powerful novel explores the complex layers of identity formation as a young protagonist uncovers long-buried family secrets that reshape their understanding of heritage and self. Masad weaves a compelling narrative about intergenerational trauma and the search for authentic identity, tackling themes of cultural inheritance and personal truth with remarkable sensitivity. The story's emotional depth provides a meaningful exploration of how family history shapes individual identity, making it particularly resonant for readers navigating their own journeys of self-discovery.

What distinguishes this work is its honest portrayal of the messy, nonlinear process of understanding one's place within a family legacy, offering validation to young adults grappling with similar questions. The novel's nuanced character development and thoughtful pacing create space for reflection on how personal and collective histories intersect. Families seeking substantive literature that sparks meaningful conversations about ancestry and belonging will find this narrative both challenging and deeply rewarding, leaving readers with a lasting appreciation for the courage required to confront complicated truths.

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