Do you believe literature, even fiction, can help shape the world? Did you learn anything new from Only the Beautiful?

When Helen is offered a book deal, she reflects on the power of the written word. Do you believe literature, even fiction, can help shape the world? Did you learn anything new from Only the Beautiful that you didn't already know about, and are you interested in researching it further?

I knew of the sterilization of young women, but didn't know the extent.

The written word has always been powerful. I learned that the Eugenics Program was not just a horrible practice in Hitler’s Germany but practiced in America as well.

I always learn some nugget when I read historical fiction. More often than not, I find myself doing follow-up research on something I'd never heard of before. Fiction can't help but open people's eyes and teach them something.

I agree....I learn something new when reading historical fiction and 99% of the time find myself looking up more information on a person or event or time period, cindyr.

I learned so many things when I read this book. I learned about Synesthesia and the California eugenics program for example. I absolutely believe that literature can help shape the world. I think about how "Uncle Tom's Cabin" crystalized the horrors of slavery for example. Yes, literature is a powerful tool.

I agree that literature is a powerful tool. I find it often exposes me to a culture, a period in time, or a belief that is new to me. Before reading this novel I had never heard of the condition of Synesthesia. I was unaware of the California Eugenics program. The story also reminded me of the limited rights women and men had, in the 1940s, if they were without means or had somewhat who wanted to get rid of them.

I read to "learn". My 'go-to' genre is historical fiction and believe literature, even fiction provides a powerful lens for looking at ourselves and our world from a different angle. It promotes critical thinking, reflection, and growth. While a single novel likely won't radically transform society overnight, the collective influence of impactful literature has an immense effect on shaping culture, values, and how we see each other. After finishing a book, if find myself researching to learn more about the topic, I will recommend to friends and family. "Only the Beautiful" is high on my recommendation list.

Meissner’s searing chronicle of the lives of Rosie and Helen is the most enlightening I have read since reading “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” when I was fifteen years old. I am now seventy-five. I learned three new words within the first few chapters: Eugenics, Salpingectomy and Synesthesia. It is also the first time I have ever read the “Acknowledgements” section at the end of any book and was astonished at its revelations. Fellow readers, this one is hard to put down and the kernels of truth informing its plot and characters harder to dismiss when you finally turn the reading lamp off at bedtime. Let us not forget our past, lest we repeat it.

I believe fiction is extremely powerful in shaping the world. Historical fiction, in particular, can open up new worlds, new ideas and new perspectives. There is so much one can learn when an author weaves real-life events with interesting characters and a good plot.

Sorry, I didn't mean to post this comment twice.

I agree with everyone saying that fiction can help shape the world. It is only in recent years that I started reading historical fiction. At first, I was surprised to find how relevant it is to life now. But as I read more historical fiction, I understand that better. I learned a lot from this book. I find this type of learning, through a fictional story, affects me more than just reading a factual essay about a topic. Like others said, I find myself looking things up also, to assess/confirm the truth of the facts in what I am reading. I look forward to sharing this book with friends.

As a retired English teacher, I saw the power of literature to teach and transform. Think back to discovering injustice when you read To Kill a Mockingbird and Native Son. I learned about the Indian Boarding Schools in between Earth and Sky and A Council of Dolls and forced sterilization in this book and Take My Hand. Once we are aware of these things, we can move beyond complacency.

Yes, literature can and does help change the world. I really appreciate barbettet's statement above where she cites particular books that helped her understanding of certain hard facts.

Yes, most definitely!! I did not know about the practice of sterilization
in America and also the ability to see colors from sound and that Drs. thought it could be cured medically. Or that it would be considered something that even needed to be "cured".

Like many of the other responders, I will often use the historical fiction I read as a springboard to learning more about the topic.I was not a history fan in school, but the older I get the more I am fascinated by it.

Historical Fiction is a wonderful tool for learning about the past. People don't change, but circumstances do. I was unaware that eugenics was practiced in California and the US as recently as the 1960's. That is horrifying to me. But the very real problem of pregnancy and rape is still very with us.

I think Meissner said it best when she wrote that power can be stopped, “not by wishful thinking or a magic word, but with courage and resolve and the refusal to allow those without voices to remain unheard.” Whether fiction or non-fiction, we learn about the voiceless through stories like this that prompt us to learn not just about about things like synesthesia and eugenics, but that prompt us to think through our response to unjust events.

Absolutely. Literature, even fiction, can act as a powerful mirror reflecting our world's flaws and possibilities. Only the Beautiful serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of prioritizing efficiency and logic over human connection. By depicting a loveless society, Cline compels us to appreciate the emotional richness that love brings to our lives.

Lessons Learned from a Dystopian Tale

Here are some key takeaways from the novel:

The Importance of Choice: Aira's rebellion against the arranged marriage system highlights the value of having a say in who we spend our lives with. The novel emphasizes the importance of free will and emotional fulfillment.
The Power of Human Connection: Love, in all its messy glory, is portrayed as a powerful force that can challenge established norms. Aira's yearning for love exposes the limitations of a purely logical society.
The Risk of Conformity: The story critiques the dangers of blind conformity. Aira's journey encourages us to question the status quo and fight for what we believe in, even if it means going against the grain.
A Cautionary Tale and a Spark of Hope

Only the Beautiful is not just a dystopian nightmare. It's a cautionary tale that compels us to cherish the aspects of our world that the characters in the novel take for granted, like the freedom to choose our partners and the power of love in our lives. While the ending leaves a sense of bittersweet victory, it also offers a glimmer of hope for a future where love can find a foothold, even within a rigid system.

Overall, Only the Beautiful is a thought-provoking novel that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It reminds us of the importance of human connection, the perils of conformity, and the enduring power of love.

Absolutely! I also think historical fiction is one of the best eye-openers. The author gets to immerse the reader to a time and place in such an enjoyable way. Many of us end up doing our own further research during and after this immersion.

I have read about the eugenics program and synesthesia previous to this novel but I was unaware of some of the details and magnitude.

Yes I do! For a story to be truly interesting it must have some historical event that has happened. When the author researches and studies the event, then creates a story around it, that is a book worth reading. Should we not learn from history? Whether fiction or non-fiction if the book is well written, draws our emotions into the story, or let's us escape from our current world, then it is a wonderful reading experience!

Yes I did. I was aware of Hitler's practice but was not aware that it was practiced in America as well. This thought-provoking novel stayed with me long after I finished the last page.