A thought-provoking exploration of what it looks like to live with and around an intellectual disability, Colours in Her Hands is about Mina, a Canadian woman with Downs Syndrome trying to make a life for herself. Around her orbit her brother and his wife, who are trying to fit Mina into their own life, a friend who sees incredible beauty in Mina's embroidery, and her boyfriend, who also has Downs Syndrome.
It's mostly character driven, which means the plot is slow, but it is beautifully written and very thoughtful.

"Colours in Her Hands" by Alice Zorn is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the intricacies of human relationships, personal identity, and the complexities of love. Set against the backdrop of Montreal, the story unfolds through the lives of its richly developed characters, each grappling with their own struggles and desires.

Zorn's writing is both lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into the emotional landscapes of her characters. The protagonist's journey is one of self-discovery as she navigates the challenges of family dynamics, friendships, and romantic entanglements. Zorn masterfully explores themes of art and creativity, using them as metaphors for the characters' internal conflicts and growth.

I found the novel's structure to be intriguing, with alternating perspectives that provide depth and insight into each character's experiences. This technique allows readers to see the interconnectedness of their lives and the impact they have on one another. Zorn’s attention to detail brings the setting to life, making Montreal a vibrant character in its own right.

One of the strengths of "Colours in Her Hands" is its exploration of the complexities of motherhood and the various forms it can take. Zorn portrays the nuanced relationships between mothers and daughters with authenticity and sensitivity, highlighting both the joys and challenges inherent in these bonds.

I felt "Colours in Her Hands" was a poignant and thought-provoking read that resonated long after the final page. Alice Zorn's ability to weave together the threads of art, love, and personal growth made this novel a compelling exploration of what it means to truly see and embrace the colors in our lives. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives and the exploration of emotional depth.

I appreciated that Mina was not depicted in the way that people with Down Syndrome often are in media - as perpetually good natured children. Mina was honestly kind of a brat and I felt for her brother, the scapegoat for nearly all of her frustrations. I liked the writing and thought the story was creative and different.

Colour In Her Hands is a vivid and lovely exploration of siblings, and a sincere depiction of a woman with Down Syndrome making her mark on the world. The relationship between Bruno and his sister felt so realistic, his sense of responsibility, his need to protect her as much as possible and wanting her to only have the best experiences but knowing that the world is not always kind and trying to prepare her for that.
I enjoyed the insights into Mina's world, the way her mind worked and how she was able to listen to her imagination and share it through her embroidery. Her use of language made her feel very realistic, she had her own voice and you quickly understood how she expressed herself and she came alive off the page. It felt more like a fond memory than an attempt at creating a character and having read the acknowledgements after finishing the novel, it made sense why. While the writing itself was strong, I felt the overall story sometimes veered too close to fairytale, with Iris stepping in as the fairy god-mother.
The book is not always easy to read so be prepared to feel sad, angry, hurt and frustrated as you see Mina, Bruno and those around them navigate life together. Overall rating: 3.5 stars.

I really liked the premise of the book and there were lots of enjoyable parts, but the execution of this story as a whole felt a bit choppy and rough or rushed so that took away a bit for me. It was kind of all over the place with no answers or connections between chapters so it just made me feel confused as a reader
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Thank you to Freehand Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Colours in Her Hands is the story of a woman with Down Syndrome during a transition period of her life. The story follows her, her brother, and other people in her orbit in alternating perspectives.

The real triumph of this book is the character or Mina. She is a fully-fleshed, lively character that doesn’t fall into common media stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities. The author clearly has spent a lot of time around people with Down Syndrome, and the tenderness and frankness in equal measure is obvious in the way she crafts Mina into really dynamic, layered character. Mina is particular and bound to a logical system that is very much all her own. She loves hats, Elvis, and shoplifting. She has diabetes and appears from her dialogue to be bilingual. She is a talented artist, but keeps her creations tightly guarded in her treasure trove.

It was so refreshing to read a portrayal of someone with Down Syndrome that isn’t a completely innocent, inspirational, angel. Mina is flawed and written without a moment of condescension.

I think that Zorn really does a wonderful job with creating distinct, layered characters. Even the minor characters are given to detail.

One of the other things I loved was the plot that showed how abled people often make choices without asking them, assuming that they know best. Throughout the story, while many of the decisions that are made are for Mina’s safety, many are not. They are small decisions, maybe, but for Mina they take control even further from her. Often they make choices that don’t match what she would choose for herself. This is best reflected in the central plot with Iris, the woman who takes interest in her art. This really reflects the idea, when only one person can make a decision, is it naturally exploitative?

My main criticism with the book is that it can sometimes be a little flabby. The plot can lag at times and there can often be large gaps between more relevant plot points. While the book didn’t exactly make tangents or side stories, it did often take some time to get where it was going.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who have enjoyed stories that are character driven in the past.

Thank you to Netgalley and Freehand Books for the ARC

This one is tough to review, mostly because I think the style of writing just didn't meld with me as a reader. My biggest gripe is that the transitions felt choppy and the language at times felt wooden or too obtuse. There are also some B plots that were written beautifully but didn't contribute to what I would consider to be the theme of the story.

However, how Ms. Zorn displayed an individual living with Down's Syndrome as a character was wonderful and true to real life. Mina is not a perfect character. She is not what some might stereotype her to be. She is complex; she has motivations to do things that others don't understand but that make sense to her. She isn't an angel, but she isn't a behavioral nightmare either. She's a fully fleshed out person, and the fact that Ms. Zorn didn't present us with a romanticized version of a person living with disabilities earns my respect. Mina lies, steals, has sex, hits people, loves with her whole heart, is naive at time to the world, and isn't afraid to share her thoughts and opinions with others.

And there are a whole host of characters whose motivation we get to judge against what we get to see from Mina. First is her brother, Bruno, who loves his sister and is charged with advocating for her and looking out for her best interests. Sometimes what he perceives as the best for Mina she doesn't agree with, however. Who gets to decide what's best for Mina? Clearly Bruno loves her and is wanting her to live a full life, but sometimes what he decides chafes against what Mina wants...but sometimes what Mina wants could put her in harm's way.

We have Iris, who I detested and who didn't get a redemption arc for me (not sure if the author wanted her to, but I think the author did leave us some space to redeem her if we choose). She sees Mina stitching on a park bench and strikes up a conversation. She ends up befriending Mina, but early she obsesses over how Mina is an artist and should have her art displayed somewhere. She makes some questionable choices to facilitate the end goal of getting her work displayed. If someone can see value in what Mina does, does that give them a right to share that without Mina's permission, even if it could lead to a boon for Mina in the end?

Gabriela is Mina's favorite person, and seems to love Mina for Mina with absolutely no ulterior motives. She serves as an advocate with Bruno for Mina, but sometimes she facilitates things that Bruno disagrees with (like rewarding her with treats or gifts when Bruno thinks she should buy them with her own money).

Then Madame Bingham...she works at a care facility and her relationship with Mina is...disturbing. But the author allows us to make our own decisions about that.

Overall, I liked that Mina's voice was true to the disability without romanticizing her. Some of the writing and transitions between characters were clunky, and the story could have used some fiercer editing to really whittle to the point. But the value of seeing diverse stories and voices represented outweighed some of the execution for me.

Some quotes I liked:
"Mina was a force destined to sunder parts from their whole."

"The world doesn't make much effort to understand people like Mina."

Did I like this book? Yes. Did I still find it a bit too sentimental and objectively too long? True.

The thing is, *Colours in Her Hands* is a novel without a traditional plot; it simply tells the life story of a girl with Down syndrome and her brother. I love that this condition is finally finding a more stable place in the narratives of books that aren't necessarily aimed at a teenage or adult audience. In this case, I found a good rhythm (although, in my opinion, there are about a hundred pages here and there that could have been cut without detracting from the enjoyment of the story—in fact, it would have increased its value and flow) and characters rich in nuance who made me love and hate them. I could appreciate and disapprove of their choices, while always feeling connected to them. I also loved that the protagonists are adults—a rare choice that gives the novel a unique quality and enhances its realism. Finally, a special mention goes to the relationship between the two siblings: loving yet distant, as if, despite the years and opportunities to learn as much as possible about each other, they end up being almost strangers. It's a book I certainly recommend.

This one comes out Tuesday and is such a thought provoking story with characters you are going to really, really love. This story follows Mina, a young woman with down syndrome, and her brother Bruno, Mina’s caretaker. Mina knits pretty much around the clock and as an art therapist, I really enjoyed this aspect of the story.

Zorn’s depiction of family dynamics surrounding obligation really resonated with me. Bruno’s character made me mad at times but I also stood him well and that had a lot to do with Zorn’s thoughtful and realistic depiction of down syndrome.

This is another quiet character driven story that will really stick to your heart.

3.5 stars . This book was interesting. It mostly held my interest, but at times it dragged a bit. For most the book I didn’t like how bruno thought of and cared for his sister. Iris really annoyed me. She was someone that took advantage of Mina, and as someone with multiple disabilities , people that take advantage of people with disabilities are horrible people. Mina was a fascinating character. It is good that this book does bring awareness of Down syndrome, particularly in adults. I read an advanced readers copy (book is released September 3rd) from netgalley and freehand books but my review is unbiased.

A beautifully written, though far too long story that depicts a slice of life in a family of two, Mina, who has Down's Syndrome, and her older brother and sworn protector Bruno. I loved how authentic and complex Zorn made their relationship; it's not glossed over or romanticized, and while they both love each other fiercely, they often struggle to communicate effectively and grow frustrated with each other. Each of them keeps secrets from the other, sometimes with the best intentions, and sometimes not so much. Mina is not a naive innocent, as so many differently-abled people are portrayed in fiction. Nor is she occasionally naughty for comedic effect. Instead, she has layers and deep-seated feelings; she is loving, sure, but she's also duplicitous, cunning, and vengeful. Bruno, on the other hand, is not just a selfless caretaker. He's just as nuanced as Mina, with both of them trying their best. And that generally holds true with all of the supporting characters: they all exist in a morally grey area, which is what makes this book readable. Despite having little-to-no plot, molasses-slow pacing, and an extra 75 pages it doesn't need, the characters really do come alive off the page and keep you interested all the way through the (disappointingly anticlimactic, although admittedly realistic) ending.

I was a bit hesitant to read this book. Being a special education teacher who works closely with children who have Down Syndrome, I was afraid of how the character of Mina would be described. But I was happily surprised how well her character and those around her were described. I liked how quiet and realistic her character was.

This story about the Corneaus was so unlike any I'd ever come across before; and I loved everything about it, even the bits that broke my heart. 35-yr old Bruno and 27-yr old Mina are brother and sister, their mother was Austrian, they live in Montreal, they are both single, she has Down Syndrome and though she lives independently, he is her appointed guarantor. Bruno creates props for a modern dance troupe, and Mina "knits" incessantly (it's actually embroidery, but that's what she calls it). She "knits" while watching tV on the couch all day, she "knits" the name of each of her exes and ritually mounts them on her wall, she "knits" and "knits" a wealth of work, "years and yeras of textile art, a body of work - an oeuvre" that Bruno's new girlfriend Iris manages to comandeer in secret, and this is the crux of the plot. That two people can be so good together on so many levels and yet not be transparent or forthcoming where it matters. That siblings can know each other so well and yet not know monumental things about one another... that duty and obligation can obscure love and admiration... that heartbreak can heal and that love can surprise... there were so many meaningful themes in this book, I hope it reaches the critical acclaim it deserves!

I always loved visiting my cousin Mayumi who had Down Syndrome, I could never get enough of her ever-childlike ways and enthusiasms. When it comes out in September I'm buying a copy of Colours in Her Hands for my friend Amanda, I hope she sees sparkly glimpses of her own lovely Emmeline (and their wonderfully talented celebrity artist friend Charlie French), in Philomena.

I was hesitant to read this book, as I didn't want it to be a book filled with stereotypes of Down Syndrome. However, I felt better after reading the note from the publisher, stating that the author Zorn has a personal connection to Down Syndrome (her sister in law has it), and this book is based on their relationship.

I found this book to be very well done! It's warm and vibrant, but also quiet and thought provoking. I know that I'll want to reread this book once its out, so I can have a physical copy to reference. I am excited to see where this book goes!


Thanks to Freehand Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

What an incredible book, I was both rushing to read it AND putting it down deliberately because I felt so many -oftentimes conflicting, or taboo- emotions which I wished to analyse.

Mina is a 38 y/o woman with Down's syndrome. She lives independently and with her parents dead, her elder brother Bruno is her legal guardian - and conveniently only one phone call away to help her with whatever it is she's bothered with. And she's regularly bothered. Be it neighbours who're none too pleased with her residing in their apartment building, or the clock on the wall whose hands are unsettling her.

Mina doesn't do well with changes but her world is to be upended in many ways. Bruno and his girlfriend break up: Gabriela wants a child, and Bruno still does not -he has Mina to care for. Mina's job ceases to exist. Mina ends affairs with her latest boyfriend, but this one disagrees quite...disagreeably.
What does stay, is that Mina embroiders. Beautifully. Free style, autodidact. The colours talk to her and in turn Mina tells and retells her colours fairytales, the way Mina remembers them.
Insert Iris, a fashion designer, who has a chance encounter with Mina in a park, sees her work and appreciates it for the stunning art it is. She sees a bright future for Mina, for them both.

Alice Zorn writes with such clarity about such complex emotions, it is at times baffling, and unnerving. Bruno appears to be a restricting ass - but that's seen from Mina's eyes. Iris says she has the best intentions for Mina, but who knows (her situation) best? And then there's Mina - how much slack is one willing to give her? She bends the truth, is an experienced shoplifter...

Gosh, and I haven't even mentioned how clever Alice Zorn uses fairytales and modern dance.
Truly a beautiful and memorable book, I can't wait for it to hit the shelves so I can buy my friends copies for their birthdays.

I LOVED it.