Sparkle Goddess Dr. Mari Ziolkowski

Along with a fabulous Harly Quinn and a Joker with occasional feelings (!), Suicide Squad (2016) give us a multicultural cast, a moving musical score AND a powerful archetypal version of the Goddess Kali (Enchantress). Who wants to destroy the world as they know it (aka patriarchy), and the US military can't have that, now can they?? (Footnote: they should have kept the Native American member of the Squad and jettisoned/killed off the boring white dude with knives instead...)

Powerful - resets the whole hero/heroine thing as Emily Blunt's character claims her power in the Old West of the late 1800's. Powerful interplay between her and the Native cavalry officer as they take turns saving each other. Reveals complex and challenging motivations for their fearlessness. Also a stark commentary on the cheapness of life back then - both for those of European descent and their treatment of the indigenous people of North America.

So the first half of this book made me angry. I felt stifled just reading about the patriarchal %$#@ women had to deal with in Sicily. Imagine thousands of years of tradition that said you had to marry your rapist! Imagine a little girl in a pink sleeveless dress being set upon by older Sicilian women (the author's sister!) Such internalized oppression! This stuff is real, and I know we have to look it straight in the eye, but I set the book down a few times, unsure if I could continue. However, I'm glad I did. The second half lightens things up, allows the beauty of the island to shine through, and brings everything full circle, including justice! Highly recommended!