The Rules for Hearts: a family drama, Sara Ryan

Ryan, Sara (2007).
The Rules for Hearts: a family drama
London: Puffin
978-0142412374
Genre: Realistic Fiction

When he reappears in her life after a four-year absence, Battle Hall Davies spends the summer before college with her brother Nick and learns a lot about Nick and herself, in the moving sequel to Empress of the World.
_________________________________________

Complete with a cast of characters and act and scene chapters, The Rules for Hearts plays out as a drama while the content reads as a memoir. The prologue informs readers that 13-year-old Battle idolizes her brother Nick; he is her most favorite person in the world. When Battle is 14-years-old, Nick runs away. The drama, in five acts, explores Battle’s experiences that take place the summer before she starts college. She reconnects with her brother and decides to move in with him and his thespian-ish co-op in Portland, Oregon. The new environment forces Battle to explore her feelings for her brother as well as her own sense of self with respect to responsibility, obligation and sexuality. While some may find her references to her first and only lesbian relationship off-putting (“She turned me into an oyster”), Battle’s voice is insightful, honest and intriguing. She does not struggle with her sexuality; instead, she accepts it matter-of-factly. In the house, Battle struggles with her crush on older housemate Meryl, who consistently sends mixed signals. While they are intimate (Ryan omits the gory details), Battle eventually realizes that Meryl is merely manipulative, and Battle distances herself from Meryl. Perhaps, her greatest struggle is understanding her irresponsible brother who fools everyone. Battle’s frustration seeps through the text into the hearts of readers; her once idol has become someone Battle loathes. Ryan convincingly captures Battle’s hurt and confusion at what her brother has become. Still Battle proves the most responsible as she attempts to save her brother and sends him home to their parents. Even though the ending seems to come out of nowhere and somewhat tacked on, one cannot help but contemplate Battle’s experiences and admire the young mature woman.