We Are Immeasurable by B. L. McGrew is the type of book you want to go out and tell people about. It is intelligent, entertaining and thought-provoking; making me take an introspective look at my feelings about writing, illness, and relationships. The story is exceptionally beautiful, and it affected me in ways I didn't think possible.
We Are Immeasurable follows 18-year-old high schooler, Mazie. She's an intelligent and driven young lady who has been living with blindness for a good portion of her life. Despite her disability, she insists on going to a normal high school for her senior year. There, she meets Barnaby, and within a short time, their relationship progresses from playful arguments about literature to so much more.
The story is full of high peaks and deep valleys as Mazie must negotiate her feelings not only as a teenage girl but one that has experienced significant loss in her life. Moments manage to be tense through the clever use (and omission) of information. There were even a few instances so tense and emotionally charged that I had to put my iPad down and take a breath.
Mazie is the protagonist of the story but Barnaby and Mazie's sister Maya also play vital roles. There are other characters, but it felt like the author's full attention was on these three which serves the story well. Mazie, Maya, and Barnaby are well developed, interesting and realistic characters with fleshed out motivations and personalities. I loved Maya and her role as the calm to Mazie's storm. It also helped that she loves YA novels and is a nurse (I have a special place in my heart for nurses). The characters' interactions were delightful to observe as the dialogue is witty and well crafted. Their discussions range from typical teenage stuff to existential musings, and it is all executed wonderfully.
The philosophy and themes tie perfectly into the very plausible and grounded plot which is at its core a coming of age story. Mazie's growth throughout the narrative is visible and inspiring, but her path is far from easy. There is a great deal of depth within this, and I think that is what I appreciated most about it. There was a critical moment near the end of the book that I felt was a bit rushed but this did not hinder my overall enjoyment. I won't spoil anything but Mazie has been through a lot, and her experiences have made her very analytical and reserved. It was endearing to see her negotiate her internal obstacles while still having to work through her external struggles.
9.5 out of 10
We Are Immeasurable by B. L. McGrew is an amazing story that is beautifully executed. Though it is outside my preferred genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! I have a lot more thoughts on this book and if you'd like to discuss more, let me know in the comments. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more bookish content, writing advice, and daily motivation!
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