Many people tend to think of OCD as a disorder characterized by compulsive ritual following and fastidious cleaning. Olivia A. Cole's Ariel Crashes A Train introduces a far more terrifying dimension of this disorder.
Ariel feels that she must count the kitchen knives the exact correct way six times every time she leaves or enters her house "in order to stop myself from driving one of them into my father's chest." Most of the time she is plagued by intrusive visions and thoughts. For instance, seeing an older woman waiting for a bus she envisions herself pushing the woman in front of it...
...and she fears that someday she'll give in to those visions and carry out the acts of violence. The rituals are a desperate attempt to keep that from happening.
Ariel sees herself as a monster. She feels a strong need to distance herself from others to protect them. But at her summer job two new friends won't let her push them away.
Ariel's parents aren't any help. Her father basically ignores her. She can never be small and feminine enough to please her mother. They see no need for professional help.
A really good narrative can help readers see life through a character's eyes. Ariel Crashes A Train certainly accomplishes that.
On Christmas of 2020 Cole herself went to the hospital with what she thought was a heart attack. Fortunately a physician's assistant recognized her OCD symptoms. Two months later she had found a therapist.
On a purrrsonal note, it really bothers me how some people trivialize OCD with casual remarks like saying "Oh, you're so OCD" if someone is super organized. That's just plain wrong. I hope the people who read this book will know better.
A great big shout out goes out to you with hopes you're enjoying our beautiful late summer ☀️.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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