{"id":14790,"date":"2024-01-24T07:52:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T11:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/?p=14790"},"modified":"2024-01-29T20:09:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T00:09:07","slug":"how-it-feels-to-float-summary-characters-quotes-and-book-club-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/how-it-feels-to-float-summary-characters-quotes-and-book-club-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"How It Feels to Float Summary, Characters, Quotes, and Book Club Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In today’s post, I am introducing you to Helena Fox’s poignant and impactful novel, “How It Feels to Float.” This book delves into the intricate and often challenging themes of mental illness, grief, and the journey towards understanding and healing. On a personal level, I find this novel enlightening and insightful. It offers a wealth of insights and opportunities for deep reflection and discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our exploration, we’ll cover a comprehensive summary of the novel, a detailed look at its main characters, some notable quotes that capture the essence of Fox’s writing, and a set of thought-provoking book club questions designed to spark engaging and meaningful conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How It Feels to Float Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“How It Feels to Float<\/a>” by Helena Fox, a heartrending exploration of mental illness and grief, has garnered widespread acclaim since its release in May 2019. Set against the backdrop of a young girl’s journey, the story centers on Biz, a character who adeptly maintains the appearance of normalcy, or ‘floating’, in her day-to-day life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biz is surrounded by a network of support, including her mom, siblings, and her friend Grace. She cherishes the conversations with her father, who imparts memories of her childhood \u2013 despite the fact that he passed away when she was seven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The narrative takes a dramatic turn following an incident on the beach, which causes Biz’s carefully maintained equilibrium to unravel. The disappearance of her father’s presence from her life intensifies her struggle, leading her to contemplate the allure of letting go completely. However, Biz is also confronted with the possibility of seeking out her father to bring him back, or perhaps discovering a third, yet unseen path to cope with her challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helena Fox, in her debut novel, deftly explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of inter-generational mental illness. The story is not just about the struggles of living with these conditions, but also about the connections and chasms they create with loved ones. Fox’s narrative is a tribute to the power of those who anchor us in times when we’re being pulled away by life’s currents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The novel has been lauded for its lyrical and profound impact, described as ‘mesmerizing’, ‘exquisite’, and ‘immensely satisfying’ by various reviewers. Critics have highlighted the book’s masterful and intimate portrayal of its themes, with Fox’s writing praised for its understanding, tenderness, and frankness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How It Feels to Float Characters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a brief overview of the key characters in “How It Feels to Float” by Helena Fox:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Biz (Elizabeth):<\/strong> The protagonist, Biz, is a teenager grappling with the complexities of mental illness and the grief of losing her father at a young age. She’s depicted as introspective and sensitive, often lost in her thoughts and memories. Biz’s journey through the narrative is one of self-discovery, pain, and eventual hope.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Biz’s Father:<\/strong> Although deceased, Biz’s father plays a significant role in the story. He appears in Biz’s thoughts and memories, offering insights into her past and her struggles. His death is a pivotal event that profoundly impacts Biz, influencing her perceptions and decisions throughout the novel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Grace:<\/strong> Grace is Biz’s close friend. She represents a pillar of support and understanding in Biz’s life. Their friendship is portrayed as deep and meaningful, highlighting the importance of having supportive relationships when dealing with personal turmoil.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Jasper:<\/strong> Jasper is a new character introduced in Biz’s life. He’s depicted as someone who brings a new perspective and possibly represents a turning point in Biz’s journey. His role in the story adds complexity to Biz’s emotional landscape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Biz’s Mother:<\/strong> She is a constant presence in Biz’s life, representing the family’s struggle to cope with their past and present. Her character adds a layer of familial dynamics to the story, showcasing how mental illness and grief can affect not just individuals but entire families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. The Twins:<\/strong> Biz’s siblings, referred to as the twins, add to the familial context of the story. They help in portraying the everyday life and dynamics of a family dealing with loss and mental health issues.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

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    How It Feels to Float Quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some interesting quotes that capture the main themes of How It Feels to Float:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI am dead in infinite alternate universes. I am mostly and most likely dead, now, here. All doors opening, all doors closed.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cAnd it’s so clear how far I’ve fallen. How far I am from where the stars are.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe world is full of strange wonders, darling. Maybe you’re just lucky enough to see them.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cI think about hearts in bodies and the rhythm inside us we don’t get to choose.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI smile for the first time in approximately six days, or a month, or ever. Something inside me shifts, opens. It makes way for the possibility of something good.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI don\u2019t understand anything and it\u2019s like my sadness has drained my brain and now I can\u2019t learn.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cI don’t know what to say. So I don’t say anything, just stare at the text, and this is when I realise I might actually be invisible; maybe I am a ghost and I can’t text back because I don’t have fingers or a mind that functions and even though I can physically see myself maybe I’m 100 percent a lie.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cAll those glances, all the unspoken everythings. I think of all of us, passing each other like turtles, heaving our pasts on our backs.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cTalking has saved me, again and again. It is okay\u2014and you absolutely deserve\u2014to ask for help when things are hard. Remember, lovely human, that you matter very much. You are a miracle of molecules: infinite and extraordinary.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI can’t speak. I feel the pistons of my heart moving, feel my lungs filling, emptying, my pores clogging. I feel the movement of the stars and I can hear the echo of all the black holes consuming everything.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI want to lie inside the black-and-white mess of history. I want to not come out until I know everything.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cAnd it’s like when someone touches an electric current and you’re holding their hand, so it passes to you, and suddenly there you are: seizing, pulsing, filled with light, unable to let go.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThey say observation affects reality, that it can pin an electron into place. Until then, the electron is just a possibility, just an idea. Until it’s seen, it might as well not exist.\u201d \u2015 Helena Fox, How It Feels to Float<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How It Feels to Float Book Club Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some thought-provoking questions that you might find useful to facilitate meaningful conversations in your book club:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Biz’s Experience of Grief and Mental Illness:<\/strong> How does the author depict Biz’s experience of grief and mental illness? Do you think her portrayal is authentic and relatable? How does this representation compare to other narratives about mental health you’ve encountered?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The Role of Memory:<\/strong> Throughout the novel, Biz is often caught up in her memories, especially those involving her father. How do these memories affect her perception of reality and her coping mechanisms?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Support Systems:<\/strong> Consider the different support systems in Biz’s life, like her mother, Grace, and Jasper. How do these relationships influence her journey through grief and mental illness? Which of these relationships did you find most impactful and why?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Biz\u2019s Father\u2019s Presence:<\/strong> Biz\u2019s father, although deceased, plays a crucial role in the story. Discuss how his presence and absence affect Biz. What do you think the author is trying to convey through this dynamic?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. The Concept of Floating:<\/strong> The title of the book, “How It Feels to Float,” is a metaphor for Biz’s experience. Discuss how this concept is explored in the novel. What does floating represent for Biz and how does it change throughout the story?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Healing and Growth:<\/strong> The novel doesn\u2019t neatly resolve all the issues it presents. What do you think about the way the story ends? How does it reflect the process of healing and growth in real life?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Inter-generational Mental Illness:<\/strong> The novel touches on the theme of inter-generational mental illness. How does this theme develop in the story? What conversations does this aspect of the novel open about mental health in families?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Impact of Setting:<\/strong> Consider the setting of the novel and how it influences the characters and the story. How does the author use the physical and cultural landscape to enhance the narrative?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Personal Reflection:<\/strong> Were there any moments in the book that particularly resonated with you or made you reflect on your own experiences or beliefs?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. Author\u2019s Style and Narrative Technique:<\/strong> Discuss Helena Fox\u2019s writing style and her approach to telling Biz\u2019s story. How do the style and narrative technique contribute to the themes of the novel?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

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      Final thoughts <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In wrapping up our journey through Helena Fox’s “How It Feels to Float<\/a>,” we’ve ventured through the emotionally rich landscape of Biz’s world, a narrative that masterfully intertwines themes of mental illness, grief, and the complexities of growing up. This novel is a resource that educators, parents, and readers alike can use to engage with important topics relevant to today’s societal and educational contexts. As we close this chapter, let’s carry forward the insights and lessons that “How It Feels to Float” has offered us, applying them in our ongoing conversations about mental health, resilience, and the power of understanding and empathy in our lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      In today’s post, I am introducing you to Helena Fox’s poignant and impactful novel, “How It Feels to Float.” This book delves into the intricate and often challenging themes of mental illness, grief, and the journey towards understanding and healing. On a personal level, I find this novel enlightening and insightful. It offers a wealth…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14823,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[321,136],"tags":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/1-72-600x400.png","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/1-72-600x600.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Med Kharbach, PhD","author_link":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/author\/med\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14790"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14790"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14833,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14790\/revisions\/14833"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.selectedreads.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}