Where I Belong by Candice Black (Book Review #2053)

Candice Black’s Where I Belong unfolds in short, dialogue-driven snapshots, following Clara—a woman who has just lost her job—through conversations that hint at both the upheaval in her life and the support she unexpectedly finds. Despite its brevity, the piece captures Clara’s resilience and her willingness to forge a new path by selling her handmade fabric pins. Her refusal to return to an untrustworthy boss and the kindness shown by a new acquaintance, Ben, reinforce the novella’s central idea: that a supportive gesture, however small, can help someone reclaim their sense of dignity and possibility.

The writing style is minimalist, almost like a movie script, with just enough dialogue to suggest broader emotional undercurrents. That leanness draws the reader’s attention to subtle character cues—awkward greetings, abrupt rejections—and spotlights how those spare interactions shape Clara’s decisions. The final, uplifting note comes when Clara finds a little spark of hope in a world that, just moments before, felt unstable.

Some readers might wish for deeper character backstories or more vivid settings, yet the story’s core strength lies in showing that personal belonging isn’t necessarily about grand resolutions. Instead, it emerges from everyday kindness and self-respect. Overall, Where I Belong invites us to witness a moment of personal transition—one that ends on a gentle, optimistic beat and reminds us how small acts of empathy can offer someone a renewed sense of direction.

Written by Jeyran Main

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