Book Recommendation: The Q by Beth Brower

“Many of the trees in Rhysdon’s parks were beginning to leaf out into a lacy cloud of green so cheery that even Quincy—who was accustomed to thinking about walking only as a means to an end or as a means to calm herself down before someone else came to an end—looked about and came close to granting the walk some kind of virtue in itself.” – Beth Brower, The Q

It’s been a while since I have read a book with such beautiful language and poignant characters, but Beth Brower (author of the Emma M. Lion series) has done it again in The Q. This book is set in the late 1800s and is perfect for anyone who loves a good printing press aesthetic and a main character with pixie hair and tailored coats. Brower mixes heart, humor, and language in a masterful way. I’d recommend it for readers thirteen and up. There’s nothing concerning in the content, but the themes will be more appreciated by older teens and adults.

What is this book about?

The Q is a revolutionary printing press in the fictional country of Rhysdon, led by eighteen-year-old Quincy St. Claire. Quincy is the brains behind the operation, and everyone believes she is the one set to inherit the lucrative business, including herself. That is, until her uncle, Ezekiel decides that Quincy needs to discover there is more to life outside the offices of The Q, with their clacking keys and fresh ink. What follows is a ridiculous will, in which Quincy must fulfill twelve unrevealed requests within her uncle’s will in order to keep what she holds dearest.

Quincy stayed with me long after I finished the book, and I could still hear the hustle and bustle of The Q echoing through my mind. This is because her arc revolves around rejection, which is one character arc I have always found fascinating.

From the get-go, Quincy will shut others out before she can give anyone the option of rejecting her. She wears her eccentricity like a protective cloak to keep others at bay, but underneath it all, Quincy truly longs for and needs connection, but her past experiences lead her to self-sabotage any opportunity for meaningful relationships in her life.

The premise of the story depends on this one truth: Quincy needs others. But getting her to embrace it, well, that’s a whole different story. It isn’t until she reaches rock bottom and finally admits to herself what she really needs that Quincy becomes capable of reaching out and accepting the friendship and love that are so vital to her existence.

There have been moments in my life in which I have found that I pull away from people before they have the chance to reject me. Or I will keep parts of myself hidden so that I don’t experience rejection. But is this really the best way to live? God created us to be seen and known, and the only way to truly be known is to learn to live a genuine life and accept the love and friendship from the people who actually matter.

Enter James Arch, Quincy’s solicitor and the man Uncle Ezekiel hired to oversee his will. He sees Quincy for who she is and helps her grow without asking her to be someone else, and he becomes a better man himself. Arch is Quincy’s truth character (the character who shows Quincy what she doesn’t see in herself), and he puts into words what Quincy can’t admit:

“There are few things more tedious than a friend who will not graciously receive.”

Then he stays anyway. Arch buys Quincy breakfast every day, invites her to meet his family and friends, and keeps forgiving her even when she shows up at the worst possible moment. He isn’t a perfect hero, but he persists, and in the end Quincy chooses to accept his friendship and forgive him in return.

Now, I’m not saying that James Arch is Jesus in this book (because he clearly is not), but some of his qualities reminded me of the kind of friend Jesus is. Jesus always shows up. He knows us better than anyone else. And He will stick with us through thick and thin no matter how much we push Him away or try to keep Him from loving us. Whenever we mess up, He is willing to forgive us.

Furthermore, Jesus makes it possible for us to find significant connections with others. Just as Arch became the catalyst for Quincy to come out of her shell and allow herself to love others, Jesus is the one who empowers us to open up our hearts to people and find meaningful relationships. He knows us so deeply so that we, in turn, can be known by others. He is the reason that, when we take the risk and are hurt, we are able to forgive.

We all need people who see us and know us. God designed us for this kind of connection, and by His grace, this kind of connection is possible. Like Quincy, we need others. The key is learning to freely accept the blessing of friendship just as we freely give it away.

For all my deep-feelers with a tendency to withdraw into themselves, The Q is for you. I hope you read it and enjoy it as much as I did, and that as you immerse yourselves in this world, you realize how truly special and valuable you are.

Thanks for reading!
Anna