So B. It Summary & Key Insights

Sarah Weeks's "So B. It" follows the intertwined lives of two seemingly disparate girls, three years apart in age. The narrative centers around the emotionally stunted but fiercely independent 13-year-old, Patty, and her younger, much more outwardly expressive sister, Cadence. Patty lives a life largely defined by routine and a stoic silence, grappling with the unexplained disappearance of her mother years earlier. Cadence, bright and outgoing, has a different kind of pain; she struggles with the emotional burden of her mother’s absence manifested as impulsive and often self-destructive behaviors. Their lives are marked by an underlying sadness and a palpable lack of maternal warmth.

The sisters' lives begin to shift when they are sent to live with their estranged grandmother, Nana, a woman whom they barely know and who embodies a different kind of familial love. Nana's unconventional ways – her eccentric style, her tendency to impulsively embrace life’s oddities, and her hidden capacity for emotional vulnerability – initially unsettles the girls. Yet, her presence slowly starts to crack the shells of protective silence that Patty and Cadence have built around themselves.

A crucial plot point involves Patty's secret passion for writing – a talent she keeps hidden. This hidden world becomes a vital outlet for her suppressed emotions and serves as a significant bridge to connecting with her sister and grandmother. Cadence, in her own way, also begins to open up, slowly revealing her inner turmoil. Through their shared experiences, they learn to navigate their grief, rediscover the bonds of sisterhood, and confront the enduring effects of their mother's abandonment.

The narrative subtly unfolds, revealing Patty’s evolving understanding of her mother through discovered letters and fragmented memories. This process helps her gradually release the pent-up anger and sadness she has kept bottled up for years. Cadence, meanwhile, finds solace in Nana's acceptance and begins to explore healthier ways of expressing her pain. Their relationship transforms from one of tense co-existence marked by occasional rivalry, into a deeper connection forged in shared vulnerability.

The overarching theme is the transformative power of family, albeit an unconventional one. The novel also explores themes of grief, resilience, and the complexities of sisterhood. It showcases how healing can emerge from unexpected places, and how communication, even the unspoken kind, can strengthen familial ties. "So B. It" is ultimately a story about finding solace and connection amidst loss, highlighting the journey towards self-acceptance and the importance of family, no matter how unconventional its form.