Reviewing Disability in Books: A Curse so Dark and Lonely
By Brigid Kemmerer
Chapter 1-5
A Curse So Dark and Lonely is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, featuring a disabled character named Harper with Cerebral Palsy. One night on the streets of DC, Harper is magically kidnapped by a stranger and transported to the cursed Kingdom of Emberfall where a mysterious monster plagues it’s lands. There she meets the heir of Emberfall, who has just taken her captive, Prince Rhen.
Harper is a strong, resourceful character who is constantly adapting and problem solving. She is not just a helpless victim who goes easily with her kidnappers. She fights and fights well. Her personality, and emotional traits, (guarded and resilient to trust others) is relatable on many fronts, especially when factoring in disability.
What this book does right: I was hesitant going into this book. The premise of having a disabled Belle character fall in love with a toxic Prince, made me hesitant given abuse statistics for disabled women, and how society often sets us up to stay in toxic relationship, or to be the teachers towards toxic individuals.
But right away, its easy to tell there is a difference in this story compared to counter parts such as Say What You Will. It is evident the author took the time to work with an individual with CP.
For example, in Chapter 4 we watch as Harper adapts to mount a horse during an escape attempt and later in Chapter 5, Harper calls Rhen out for staring who, unknowingly, assumes Harper’s limp and inwardly turned ankle is the result of an injury from her kidnapping and attempted escape earlier.
“I feel you looking at me,” she says. “Stop it.”
She is so attuned to the feeling of being watched, and this hits spot on.
The little details that only those with CP would know, such as the way Harper’s spasticity engages more during stress and fatigue, help this book to stand out.
What I would improve: Side note, one thing I noticed was Cerebral Palsy is never capitalized when mentioned. This is something I see most non disabled writers do and it baffles me a bit to not capitalize the name of a disability.
Harper’s CP (presumed Hemiplegia) is different than mine and at times can be hard for me to discern the accuracy of things like the way Harper fights in hand to hand combat while maintaining balance and movement. Others with Hemiplegia would be able to give a more accurate opinion.
Harper mentions a few times in passing that she’s not strong. (once with her brother who is your classic “It’s too dangerous, Nemo” over-protector) This feels odd and out of place given Harper has shown plenty of times just how strong and capable she is. She’s fought her kidnappers, and leapt across a roof and climbed a trellis to escape!
Perhaps this is meant as your classic “I don’t believe in my own strength,” but it doesn’t read that way, and feels contradictory to the character.
Again this same feeling comes up during Harpers escape attempt, and adapting to mount a horse. She mentions having learned to ride as therapy and that riding gives her a strength and power she otherwise doesn’t have.
Conclusion: There are a few side-eye moments, sure. But so far this book does an ok job of writing a fairly believable character with CP, and is already much better than some more popular disability reads.
END.
Find out what happens next! Part Two up NOW.
CHAPTERS 6-10
