A Mango-Shaped Space - Wendy Mass

Title: A Mango-Shaped Space
Author: Wendy Mass
Genre: YA
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 270
Date read: January 2009, October 2017

Mia Winchell seems to be a typical teenager, but shes keeping a huge secret from everyone who knows her: sounds, numbers, and words appear in color for her. Mia has synesthesia, the mingling of perceptions whereby a person can see sounds, smell colors, or taste shapes. When trouble in school forces Mia to reveal her condition, her friends and family can't relate to her, and she must look to herself to develop an understanding and appreciation for her gift.


Having no clue what to expect when I purchased this book, I was absolutely fascinated by it. I never knew that synesthesia existed in so many different forms, and that it could be so vivid for some. I have a very mild form of synesthesia myself, but A Mango-Shaped Space brought it home to me rather forcefully just how mild it is. Nothing like Mia anyway, that's for sure.

While in some ways a typical YA fiction with the friendship, family and relationship issues that entail, by far most of the book is used to describe Mia's condition and how it affects her every-day life. It's well written, and readers of all ages will find it an interesting way to learn about synesthesia.

The audiobook version was read by Danielle Ferland who did a good job of sinking into the background and letting Mia tell the story. She did voices well, even if Mia's father could sound a bit strained at times, and Mia's friend Jenna was occasionally too young-sounding. Minor details though - in general, she was a pleasure to listen to.