A Kind of Spark Book Review by Cheshire ELS
While A Kind of Spark explores difficult issues, such as bullying and discrimination, it holds fast to the better part of ourselves. Addie’s quest to honour the women killed in her village’s historic witch trials, challenges the preconceptions of those around her, the people who deem her too “different” to count. As a neurodivergent person herself, author Elle McNicoll’s writing is both powerful and believable, with seemingly small details – such as the impact of a flickering light or loud noises – giving neurotypical readers an insight into Addie’s feelings, the strain of having to continually mask her behaviour. The inherent unfairness of this is also made clear – why should Addie have to change? Who gets to decide what, or who, is acceptable?
