Sam

What happens to a girl's self-belief, her feeling of pleasure and belonging, when she grows into a woman? Subtle yet impactful observations on class, motherhood, addiction, desire, and the unquenchable force of aspirations may be found in this iconic coming-of-age story.

"There's a girl, Sam is her name." Thus starts the poignant and astute new book by Allegra Goodman.

At the age of seven, Sam resides in Beverly, Massachusetts. Despite her father's infrequent presence, she loves him. Even though her mother finds it difficult to make ends meet, she never stops telling Sam that life would be simpler, safer, and more pleasant if she works hard in her studies and behaves appropriately. But Sam doesn't really care about security and comfort. She doesn't belong in school, where the other girls follow the rules without question and wear the appropriate shade of blue denim. She is unconcerned about rules or jeans. She only wants to ascend. Sam feels liberated when he climbs a building's side or hangs from the topmost branches of the biggest trees.

Teenage Sam starts to have self-doubt. She wants to vanish, but she also longs to be seen. It's more complex than she thought that her climbing instructor would show interest in her. Although she is upset at her father's unpredictable actions, she laments his passing. Furthermore, even as that future approaches, she opposes her mother's efforts to make plans for it.

What makes this delicate, emotionally honest book so potent is its simplicity. Allegra Goodman's Sam will shatter your heart but yet fill you with hope.