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Imbued with a distinctively Dalian surrealness, Dart’s work is rooted in a blurred reality at the center of a traumatic event that the main character, Jenny, has been trying to process for the better part of her life. The fragmented pieces of one’s identity suppressed deep into the recesses of existence exist nonetheless. The author probes this notion to its deepest levels within the therapy context.
What is conclusive from the beginning is that a fateful day in 1965 lingers in Jenny’s mind, continuously evolving and taking a life of its own. The only constant she is able to deliver to her therapist is the vivid imagery of blood. As this commentary on what truth and reality truly are progresses further, Jenny appears to be trapped in a twilight zone, where the story she has decided to own as fact is not fact. In this understanding of the story revolving around her father’s attempt to kill himself, audiences also glean the steady buildup between Jenny and B, her therapist, who plays the role of guide in Jenny’s quest for self-discovery and the reclamation of her identity.
Though initially, Jenny puts on a facade of strength, delving into her accomplishments like earning a doctorate, it's not long until she allows herself to be vulnerable, unveiling the chaos and madness that prevent her from living a complete life. A metaphor for life, perhaps, that is intriguing in nature is about life being black and white, and then Jenny going on to play over 1300 games of chess as a means to process. When describing her experiences in the psychiatric ward, an air of finality stymies the mood when she settles on the word “psychosis” from her medical notes.
From unpacking Jenny’s character at the most atomic levels, audiences can glean deep insight into the blurred realities that psychiatric patients live with and the inherent trauma and lack of control that she feels as a puppet tied to the strings of “being a good girl,” with no voice. This raw and authentic depiction is jarring but, at the same time, necessary for society to see how one event can forever alter someone’s entire being for the entirety of their lifespan.
When a traumatic event occurs, especially in the life of a young child, reality is often in disguise, dressed up to look okay, nothing out of the ordinary. Similarly, in Jenny’s case, much of the reality that shapes her worldview is from the eyes of her mother. In fact, much of the events of that day in 1965 are derived from what her mother has told her. Above all else, as human beings, one should be entitled to know their own story fully, its truth unfiltered by any impediments. Unfortunately, this work forcefully demonstrates the impact on individuals that are steered away from their realities, individuals that spend the course of their lifetime trying to work their way back to the origin point, to pick up the pieces and begin again. Dart’s work is a seamless blend of masterful storytelling and a scintillating commentary on understanding the human mind. Her book is a meaningful must-read for all audiences.
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