[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, August 5, 2024

“The Wilding Year” by Jamie M. Boyd

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“The Wilding Year” by Jamie M. Boyd takes place in a version of the modern world in which adolescents temporarily change into various animals. The story deals with the challenges a divorced mother faces when her son becomes a bat.

The author makes the fantasy premise as realistic as possible, showing how society deals with the transformed teenagers. The story can be read as an allegory for the physical and emotional changes associated with adolescence, and how parents react to them. Much of the plot involves situations other than the boy’s metamorphosis, such as his estranged father and his keeping of secrets from his mother. Thus, it often reads more like mainstream fiction than fantasy.

Although mostly serious, with emotionally powerful descriptions of the mother’s concern for her child, the story has touches of wit and satire. At times, it approaches grotesque comedy. Readers may find these portions of the text out of place with the rest.

Victoria Silverwolf likes bats.