It Could Happen Here CZM Book Club: Selkie Stories Are For Losers, by Sofia Samatar
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Sep 28, 2025 Dive into a tale that intertwines selkie folklore with the complexities of teenage life and love. The narrative explores the bond between two girls as they navigate personal struggles, dreams, and deep-seated fears. Touching on themes of loss, family trauma, and the search for identity, the story is rich with evocative imagery and emotional resonance. Additionally, moments of humor and everyday life pop up, enhancing the layers of friendship and yearning. This is a poignant mix of magic and reality that captivates the heart.
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Opening And Personal Setup
- Margaret Kiljoy reads Sophia Samatar's "Selkie Stories Are For Losers," framing it as a selkie tale about yearning, folklore, and teenage gays.
- The narrator describes working at La Pacha, losing keys, and bonding with Mona while recounting family loss and mythic parallels.
Selkie Myth And Gender Frame
- Selkie myths center on seal-people who switch forms with seal skins and often leave families when they regain freedom.
- Margaret notes this myth links to a medieval view of women as wild and untamed, contrasting Victorian ideals.
Keys, Wine, And The Missing Coat
- The narrator recounts the first night at La Pacha, losing keys, and Mona helping break back in while they steal house wine.
- She reveals finding her mother's coat in the attic and hints her mother left wearing it, linking to selkie lore.
