About What beauty there is
Cory Anderson's "What Beauty There Is" is a harrowing and poignant survival thriller set in the unforgiving Idaho wilderness. The story centers on two brothers, Lyon and Sam Mathers, who are left orphaned and destitute after their mother dies and their father commits suicide. Before his death, their father reveals a hidden stash of money, intended to secure their future. However, this money is also coveted by a dangerous and relentless man, the father of a boy their father killed years ago, who seeks both revenge and the cash. The brothers embark on a desperate journey through the frozen landscape, pursued by this vengeful figure, with their lives and their only hope for survival hanging by a thread.
The narrative explores profound themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable hardship. As Lyon, the older brother, struggles to protect Sam, a younger boy with special needs, they encounter Brighton Miller, a girl with her own burdens and a complicated connection to their pursuer. Their paths intertwine, leading to an unlikely alliance forged in the crucible of shared danger. The book is a brutal yet beautiful exploration of what it means to survive, to protect those you love, and to find glimmers of hope and connection amidst the bleakest circumstances, all while questioning the true cost of revenge and the nature of justice in a world that often seems devoid of either.
Key takeaways
- The bond of family and loyalty can be a powerful force for survival, even in the most desperate situations.
- True resilience is found not in avoiding hardship, but in enduring it and finding strength to protect those you love.
- Grief and trauma can manifest in complex ways, shaping decisions and relationships long after the initial loss.
- Even in the harshest environments, unexpected alliances can form, offering crucial support and a sense of belonging.
- The pursuit of revenge often leads to further destruction, trapping both the pursuer and the pursued in a cycle of violence.
- Beauty can be found in unexpected places and moments, even amidst profound suffering and desolation.
- Survival sometimes means letting go of what you thought you needed and embracing a different kind of future.
Key ideas at a glance
Brotherhood and loyalty
- The bond of family and loyalty can be a powerful force for survival, even in the most desperate situations.
Survival and resilience
- Survival sometimes means letting go of what you thought you needed and embracing a different kind of future.
Grief and loss
- Grief and trauma can manifest in complex ways, shaping decisions and relationships long after the initial loss.
Poverty and desperation
- Even in the harshest environments, unexpected alliances can form, offering crucial support and a sense of belonging.
Revenge and justice
- The pursuit of revenge often leads to further destruction, trapping both the pursuer and the pursued in a cycle of…
Finding beauty in hardship
- True resilience is found not in avoiding hardship, but in enduring it and finding strength to protect those you love.
- Beauty can be found in unexpected places and moments, even amidst profound suffering and desolation.
Chapter summaries
Chapters 1-3: The Weight of Winter
Jack lives in a dilapidated cabin in rural Idaho with his younger brother, Matty, and their ailing mother. Their father is in prison, and the family is trapped in crushing poverty, exacerbated by the harsh winter. Jack, only sixteen, bears the immense responsibility of caring for Matty and their mother, who is suffering from a mysterious illness that leaves her weak and often bedridden. Food is scarce, and the threat of eviction looms large. Jack often takes Matty hunting for small game, trying to provide, while Matty, despite the grim circumstances, retains a childlike innocence that Jack desperately tries to protect. The bleak landscape mirrors their desperate situation.
Chapters 4-6: A Glimmer of Hope and a Shadow of Danger
A letter arrives from Jack's imprisoned father, containing cryptic clues about a hidden stash of money. This ignites a desperate hope in Jack, offering a potential escape from their poverty. Simultaneously, Jack's path begins to cross with the notorious Perry family, who control much of the illicit activity in the valley. He first encounters Early Perry, the charismatic and dangerous son, whose presence immediately signals trouble. The Perrys are known for their ruthlessness and their deep roots in the community's criminal underworld, and Jack senses that getting involved with them could be both a solution and a grave danger.
Chapters 7-9: The Hunt for the Stash
Driven by his mother's rapidly deteriorating health and the impending threat of losing their home, Jack intensifies his search for his father's hidden money. He meticulously follows the vague clues, revisiting places from his childhood and trying to piece together his father's past. His desperation grows with each passing day as his mother's condition worsens, requiring expensive medication they cannot afford. During this period, Jack finds himself increasingly drawn into the orbit of the Perrys, taking on small, illicit jobs for Early, believing these connections might lead him closer to the money or provide a temporary means of survival.
Chapters 10-12: Ava and the Entanglement
Jack meets Ava Perry, Early's younger sister, who is strikingly different from her volatile brother. Ava is quiet, artistic, and observant, and a tentative, complex connection begins to form between her and Jack. Their shared experiences of living under the shadow of the Perry family's control create a bond. Jack's involvement with Early deepens, pulling him into more dangerous schemes, including poaching and other illegal activities. He witnesses the Perrys' casual brutality and the fear they inspire in others, making him acutely aware of the peril he is in, yet he feels trapped by his need to find the money for his family.
Chapters 13-15: Growing Desperation and Reckless Choices
As the winter deepens and his mother's health continues to decline, Jack's desperation reaches a peak. He takes on increasingly risky tasks for Early Perry, including a dangerous poaching expedition that goes awry, narrowly escaping capture. The pressure to find the money becomes overwhelming, pushing Jack to make reckless choices. He sees the Perrys' power and influence firsthand, realizing that they are deeply entrenched in the valley's criminal network. Matty's innocent questions about their father and their future serve as a constant reminder of Jack's primary motivation: to protect his brother and secure their survival, no matter the cost.
Chapters 16-18: The Truth Unveiled
Jack uncovers more definitive clues about the money's location, realizing it's hidden closer than he initially thought and that its origins are deeply intertwined with the Perry family's past dealings. He learns more about his father's history and the circumstances that led to his imprisonment, understanding that his father's actions were a desperate attempt to provide for them, but also put him in direct conflict with the Perrys. The truth reveals a darker, more dangerous connection between his family and the Perrys than he had ever imagined, raising the stakes significantly for his quest.
Chapters 19-21: The Discovery and Its Price
Following the final clues, Jack finally locates the hidden money – a substantial amount, enough to change their lives. However, the discovery is not a moment of relief but one of immediate peril. Early Perry and his family quickly realize what Jack has found, and their greed and ruthlessness come to the forefront. The Perrys believe the money is rightfully theirs, setting the stage for an inevitable and violent confrontation. Jack understands that possessing the money now makes him a target, and he must protect it at all costs to fulfill his promise to his family.
Chapters 22-24: The Violent Climax
A brutal and harrowing confrontation erupts between Jack and the Perrys. The fight is desperate and visceral, taking place in the unforgiving wilderness. Jack, driven by his love for Matty and his mother, fights fiercely for their survival and the money. Early Perry proves to be a formidable and ruthless adversary. Ava Perry finds herself caught in the middle, torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing connection with Jack. The climax is a raw display of violence and survival, where Jack is pushed to his absolute limits, making choices with irreversible consequences.
Chapters 25-27: Aftermath and Escape
In the immediate aftermath of the violent confrontation, Jack and Matty are left to deal with the devastating consequences. Jack, injured and traumatized, must quickly make critical decisions to ensure their safety. With the Perrys' threat still looming, he knows they cannot remain in the valley. They gather what they can and begin a desperate escape, leaving behind the only home Matty has ever known. The journey is fraught with danger and emotional weight, as Jack grapples with the violence he endured and inflicted, and the profound changes it has brought to their lives.
Chapters 28-30: A New Beginning, A Lingering Shadow
Jack and Matty manage to escape the valley and begin to forge a new life elsewhere, using the money to secure their future. They find a measure of peace and stability, away from the poverty and violence that defined their past. Jack enrolls Matty in school and tries to provide him with a normal childhood. However, the experiences in the valley, the violence, and the sacrifices made, leave an indelible mark on Jack. He carries the weight of his past, but also the profound understanding of love and loyalty. The ending offers a fragile hope for their future, acknowledging the enduring beauty found in their bond despite the hardship.
Full summary
"What Beauty There Is" by Cory Anderson is a poignant young adult novel that explores themes of survival, family, and the search for hope amid despair. Set against the backdrop of a rural American town, the story revolves around Jack and his brother, who navigate their difficult lives overshadowed by their father's struggles with addiction and instability.
The narrative unfolds as Jack discovers a hidden cache of money, leading him to consider drastic measures to secure a future for himself and his brother. The central themes include the impact of familial bonds, the consequences of choices, and the quest for beauty in bleak circumstances. As Jack grapples with morality, he encounters a girl named Ava, who brings both hope and complexity to his life.
Key elements include the strained relationship between Jack and his father, the resilience of youth, and the stark contrasts between love and neglect. These relationships are pivotal in shaping Jack's choices.
Ultimately, Anderson's ...
Memorable quotes
“What beauty there is in the world, even when it's broken.”
“The cold was a living thing, a hungry beast with teeth.”
“He would not let Sam go. Not ever. Not for anything.”
“Some things, once broken, can never be put back together again.”
“You don't get to choose your family, but you get to choose who you fight for.”
Characters
- Lyon MathersThe protagonist, an older brother fiercely protective of Sam, navigating their survival after their parents' deaths.
- Samuel "Sam" MathersLyon's younger brother, who has special needs and relies heavily on Lyon, often finding solace in small details.
- Brighton "Bright" MillerA resilient girl living under her abusive father's control, who forms an unlikely alliance with Lyon and Sam.
- Isaac MillerThe primary antagonist, a vengeful and dangerous man pursuing the Mathers brothers for money and retribution.
- Jed MathersLyon and Sam's deceased father, whose past actions and hidden money set the main conflict in motion.
Themes
- Brotherhood and loyalty
- Survival and resilience
- Grief and loss
- Poverty and desperation
- Revenge and justice
- Finding beauty in hardship
About Cory Anderson
Cory Anderson is an American author known for her compelling and emotionally resonant Young Adult novels. "What Beauty There Is" is her debut novel, which garnered significant critical acclaim and was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. Anderson's writing often explores themes of survival, family bonds, and the human spirit's resilience against harsh realities, often set in rugged landscapes. She drew inspiration for this book from her own experiences and observations of the natural world and the complexities of human relationships, crafting a story that is both brutal and beautiful.
FAQ
What is What beauty there is about?
"What Beauty There Is" is a Young Adult thriller about two orphaned brothers, Lyon and Sam, who are pursued through the Idaho wilderness by a vengeful man after their father's death and the discovery of hidden money. It's a story of survival, brotherhood, and finding hope amidst extreme hardship and danger, with an unlikely alliance forming along the way.
Is What beauty there is worth reading?
Yes, it is highly regarded for its intense plot, vivid setting, and deeply emotional exploration of brotherhood and resilience. Readers praise its raw honesty and the compelling characters, making it a powerful and memorable read for those who appreciate survival stories with profound emotional depth.
How does What beauty there is end?
Spoiler: The brothers, with Brighton's help, manage to defeat Isaac Miller in a final, brutal confrontation. The money is lost or destroyed, but they survive. Lyon and Brighton form a deep bond, and the brothers find a path forward, scarred but hopeful, towards a new life, having escaped the cycle of violence and found a different kind of freedom.
Who should read What beauty there is?
This book is ideal for readers who enjoy Young Adult thrillers, survival stories, and character-driven narratives. It appeals to those who appreciate intense emotional journeys, themes of family loyalty, and stories set in harsh, beautiful wilderness environments. It's recommended for ages 14 and up due to its mature themes and violence.
How long does it take to read What beauty there is?
On average, it takes approximately 5 to 7 hours to read "What Beauty There Is." This estimate can vary based on individual reading speed, but it provides a good general timeframe for completing the novel.