Thursday, May 14, 2020

Transparent

Transparent centers around the life of an invisible girl, Fiona. She was dropped on her head as a baby because nobody could see her. She was one of many children born with unique "defects" cause by their parents use of a radioactive drug. The drug has been heavily restricted, but has a huge black market following. Her brothers also have powers (flying and smells.) Her father is the leader of a crime syndicate, and he uses his children to help out in nefarious efforts. (Fiona's invisibility makes her a great spy. Once she removes her clothes, nobody can tell where she is. She can also hide things in her mouth to make them invisible.)
Fiona and her mother have had enough and try to escape. She enrolls in a school in small town Arizona, and then struggles as a fish out of water. Some of her friends have powers also. All of the typical big-city girl in small town tropes apply. She makes friends with a girl in a big Catholic family and a smart boy and his brother. Fiona's brothers also appear to help her (though she thinks her "flying" brother is there to hurt her.) It is hard to keep track of all the different characters - especially the boys. Fiona struggles with her feelings towards a boy - even more so after she discovers that he can see her. Eventually they make peace and the family manages to defeat the charming father.
The book is a very "chick-lit" take on super heroes. Not much time is spent going into details about the society or the science of the story. (That is a good thing - there are so many holes in the scenario, that even spending a little time would detract from the experience.) The book provides a literal take on the figurative story of the girl that nobody can see finally finding the boy that sees her for what she is.

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