Discovering Humanity Through Alien Eyes: A Review of Beautyland by Sarah Bertino
Isn’t it delightful how a book can whisk you away into a world that feels both familiar and utterly foreign at the same time? When I stumbled across Beautyland by Sarah Bertino, the quirky premise of an alien girl sent to Earth on an intergalactic mission immediately piqued my interest. I was curious about how Bertino would blend the whimsical yet profound elements of an indie-feel reminiscent of the 2000s with the weighty themes of girlhood, grief, and humanity. Spoiler alert: she did not disappoint!
At its core, Beautyland is a refreshing exploration of what it means to be human, seen through the lens of someone who literally comes from another world. The novel follows our protagonist—an alien girl tasked with documenting human life and emotions to send back to her distant home. It’s an inventive narrative that unfolds like a love letter to girlhood, capturing the complexities of growing up amidst a cacophony of everyday trials and tribulations. Bertino’s keen eye enables her to dissect the minutiae of humanity, making the story deeply relatable despite its fantastical elements.
One of the most striking aspects of Bertino’s writing is her ability to balance whimsy with raw emotion. The pacing felt just right—slow enough to savor the nuances of the characters but quick enough to keep me eagerly flipping the pages. When I read, “𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘴,” I found myself nodding along, contemplating the comfort we find in our routines—even as we yearn to break free and explore the unknown. Moments like these reminded me that, despite all our differences, we are all seeking connection and understanding in this vast universe.
Bertino also gracefully delves into themes of grief and friendship. The way she weaves these elements into the narrative felt like a powerful revelation, especially after recently reading Fatimah Asghar’s Martyr! It was uncanny how both books so poignantly touched on the intricacies of girlhood in their unique styles. The line, “𝘔𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵” encapsulated the haunting essence of what it means to carry our pasts with us—an experience that felt deeply personal and resonant.
As I neared the end, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with emotion. Bertino’s exploration of resilience hit home as I recognized echoes of my own experiences in her words. I was crying—not just tears of sadness, but tears of recognition and catharsis. She truly captures the beauty of our shared humanity, underlining that even amid our alien feelings of isolation, there exists a thread of connection that binds us all.
To those who cherish narratives that celebrate nuanced girlhood, friendships, and the raw tapestry of human experience, Beautyland is an absolute must-read. Sarah Bertino’s work encourages us to reflect, embrace our vulnerabilities, and reconnect with the greater good that exists in the world. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up, and prepare for a journey that is equal parts whimsical and heartfelt. Trust me—this book just might change the way you see yourself and those around you.