The Grisha Are A Lot Like Neurodivergent People
Another way in which fiction reflects reality so well
I really wish I could remember who recommended the Six of Crows duology to me so I could thank them.
I don’t typically go in for fantasy-type novels, but I am so glad I gave this one a try. I’m now on the next duology, King of Scars, by the same author, Leigh Bardugo.
I wrote previously about how fiction so often reflects reality, and I’ve encountered another parallel that has stuck with me.
Earlier this week I read a passage that resonated with the work I do as an advocate, but also with my personal experience as someone who has never quite fit in, and the parent of a child who has struggled in this way.
Before I share the passage, I’ll provide a brief backstory — don’t worry, there are no spoilers!
Shadow & Bone
Many may have heard of this author’s earlier trilogy, Shadow and Bone, which has been made into a Netflix series. I have neither watched the show nor read those books, but that trilogy is where it all began.
The Six of Crows books follow a group of 6 misfits who work together to pull off a near-impossible heist.
They are known and described as:
Matthias, a convict with a thirst for revenge; Jesper, a sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager; Wylan, a runaway with a privileged past; Inej, a spy known as the Wraith; Nina, a Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. They are a motley crew, led by Kaz, a thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Each character has been rejected in one way or another, either by their own family, their hometown, or by society in general. They are all outsiders, each with a special gift and a hard-earned chip on their shoulder.
Nina is part of the Grisha, a group of people who are born with powers. They are considered witches and an abomination by certain sectors of society. As a result, many are taught to hide their gifts in oder to avoid persecution.
In King of Scars Grisha are being hunted, enslaved, and experimented upon. Midway through the book, Nina meets another Grisha who is also living in secret to avoid capture.
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