I Am the Cage

By: Allison Sweet Grant

Narrated by: Allison Sweet Grant

“I Am the Cage gives resounding voice to the voiceless.” –The Associated Press

“Powerful.″ –Booklist, starred review

“Visceral, wrenching, and beautiful.” –John Green, #1 bestselling author of Turtles All the Way Down and The Fault in Our Stars

“The sense of powerlessness—and redemption—will stay with you.” –Jojo Moyes, #1 bestselling author of We All Live Here and Me Before You

Fish Creek, Wisconsin—Beautiful. Quiet. Isolated. Anonymous. It’s all that nineteen-year-old Elisabeth needs, and everything she wants. Cloistered in her tiny cabin, Elisabeth is determined to be alone, hiding from her memories and making sure that no one can ever hurt her again.

But when a massive snowstorm strikes, plunging the town into darkness, Elisabeth finally allows herself to accept help from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s young sheriff. Forced to show him more vulnerability than she ever intended, Elisabeth realizes she can no longer outrun the scars of her childhood, and facing the darkness might be exactly what she needs to let the light in.

In a searing own-voices story accented by poignant childhood flashbacks and stunning poetry, Allison Sweet Grant’s young adult debut is a quietly powerful portrait of a young woman’s journey to confront the medical trauma inflicted to “fix” her—and heal her heart in the process. An emotional coming-of-age story about a young woman running away from herself, yet grasping to find a way back. Deeply moving, authentically raw, and humming with the possibility of a new love.

Critic reviews

“A beautiful and poetic book about the many ways pain, and love in all its forms, leaves a lasting stain. Elisabeth’s story of childhood trauma, both physical and emotional, is brutal, heartfelt, and a testament to finally breaking free and moving forward on your own terms.” –Kathleen Glasgow, #1 bestselling author of Girl in Pieces

“Heartfelt, human and true—a novel that feels real from the first word to the last. I loved it.” –Markus Zusak, #1 bestselling author of The Book Thief

“Grant’s YA debut emerges with a captivating sparkle that mirrors a snowstorm’s atmospheric quiet with its introspective and rhythmic prose. . . . An outstanding character study with themes of pain and acceptance. Powerful.″ –Booklist, starred review

“We’re taught from earliest childhood that doctors are trustworthy healers, so there’s a special sense of betrayal when they inflict pain. I Am the Cage tells of the crimes committed against Elisabeth’s body and psyche by the medical community, and by those who stood by while it happened. But it also tells of survival, grace and self-discovery…. Steadfastly tethered to the harsh reality of our painful, beautiful world.” –The Associated Press

“A brilliant book about what we survive—and how. Visceral, wrenching, and beautiful, Grant’s triumphant novel will stick with you.” –John Green, #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars

“A tender, heartfelt story about the wounds childhood trauma can leave on its survivors. The sense of powerlessness—and redemption—will stay with you.” –Jojo Moyes, #1 bestselling author of The Giver of Stars and Me Before You

“Allison Sweet Grant is a natural storyteller with the keen eye and ear of a poet. Deftly toggling between past and present, childhood trauma and its painful aftershocks, I Am the Cage is a story of love, resilience, and healing. What a beautiful, moving, and insightful debut.” –Maggie Smith, bestselling author of You Could Make This Place Beautiful

“Through Elisabeth’s poetry, integrated throughout, Grant artfully showcases the complicated back-and-forth between keeping oneself safe and staunching one’s own growth. Elisabeth and Noah’s dialogue crackles with tension and sincerity, and depictions of Elisabeth’s harrowing struggles with her narcissistic mother are cathartic.” –Publishers Weekly

Emotional, relatable, and perfect

This is now one of my favorite audiobooks of all time. While the story ends up having a predictable ending, the story is thought-provoking, gut-wretching, and everything I needed. I am normally a fan of sci-fi and non-fiction, but I was fully engrossed in this story and have recommended it to my entire family. So glad the author was the voice talent.

poignant and beautiful

loved hearing the author read and think it was a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it with the world.

Authentic voice

A beautifully rendered story of trauma, recovery, and relationships, and a love letter to language.

Beautiful writing and compelling story

A story of great depth, wonderfully written and some of the most expressive poetry I have ever heard! Be prepared for the story to stay with you as well as layered understanding over time. Can’t wait for more from this author!

The growth of the protagonist

I enjoyed it all the prose and the poetry💐💐💐 I am an 82 year old crone, I follow Adam and he led me to Sweet Allison🌟💫⭐️