Witnessing the Stars: Trauma, PTSD, and Narrative Healing in Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars

Author(s): Dr. Bindu Ann Philip

Abstract:

This article offers a trauma-theoretical analysis of Glendy Vanderah’s Where the Forest Meets the Stars, exploring the novel’s nuanced portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma through its central characters. Drawing on foundational trauma theorists Judith Herman, Bessel van der Kolk, Cathy Caruth, and recent scholarship on post-traumatic growth, the essay examines how the novel embodies trauma’s psychological, relational, and narrative dimensions. By analyzing the characters’ fragmented identities, dissociative coping mechanisms, and gradual pathways toward healing, the article highlights Vanderah’s ethical and empathetic approach to trauma representation. The forest setting and themes of relational witnessing underscore the possibility of recovery through safety, storytelling, and human connection, making this work a significant contribution to contemporary trauma literature.

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Pages: 20-24     |    2 View     |    0 Download