Life is sometimes difficult for young Caroline, a smart, strong young woman who struggles with a frightening medical condition and is being raised by her grandparents after her mother dies from an allergic reaction to an antibiotic. Panic attacks are a common occurrence, and she has a fear of being alone, not being able to breathe, and dying. She learns to avoid situations that could potentially bring one on, even though it prevents her from doing things she privately wants to do. On the outside, she appears to be a normal teen, but inside her is a frequent hailstorm of emotions she can’t control. Caroline does not fully confide in others about her internal conflicts—including her therapist. Instead, she tries to cope with the disorder on her own and then beats herself up for not being able to “fix” herself. Even some everyday tasks are troublesome, but when a boy she’s had a crush on for years comes into her life—a boy who can relate to her emotional issues due to having faced tragedy in his own life—things become easier for her.
Heidi Dischler’s ALL THE LITTLE THINGS is structured with a textbook narrative arc—a strong beginning that grabs attention; rising action that culminates into an emotional climax; falling action after the climax; and satisfying resolution. At the heart of the story is Caroline and the author tells her story with such intimacy and compassion that readers will not only understand the intricacies of the protagonist’s pain, fear, and sense of powerlessness, they will feel it as well. Her flaws add depth to her character rather than define her and cause the conflict she faces even more gripping. This skillful characterization is accomplished through the development of captivating scenes and effective dialogue. Dischler’s writing is engaging, clear, and succinct, with the majority of it written in preferred active voice. People, places, and events are easy to visualize as they are described in relevant detail with well-chosen words. Backstory and narrative exposition are kept to a minimum to allow the story to move forward at a nice pace. Very few characters reside inside this book, and those who do are well-crafted, believable, and memorable. This literary realism is compelling and indicative of a well-written book.
Beautifully written by Heidi Dischler with valuable insight and compassion, ALL THE LITTLE THINGS tells a cautionary tale about how one young woman gets past the pain by sharing her inner struggles with those who can help.
~Florence Osmund for IndieReader