This is a thoroughly engaging Family Drama full of emotion and individual situations. Although not a long book, this is certainly full of character.
The story is told alternately from the Mother and Daughters perspective, mixing the story from then and the one from now. There are some disturbing elements including abuse, so perhaps consider this before reading if it may negatively impact you.
The themes of family ties and connections are well handled, and I found the reactions intriguing, as well as how the Author has handled the backlash the children experience. With a Mother going through so much and struggling to deal with the Mental Health implications for herself, it is understandable that there would be some effect on the children.
The Characters within this story were well created, I felt drawn into their lives and like I could empathise with both Mother and Daughters predicament. Their worries and habits are well told, so that the reader feels as if they are there with them, confused, angry or sad, the reader feels the emotions along with the Characters in the story. A talent of the Author certainly, although perhaps not the most comfortable feeling in this regard.
Emotions of children can be difficult to represent believably, because a balance between having and understanding the emotions isn’t necessarily there, so confusion is a key part and unpredictable responses, whilst maintaining an air of innocence. I often find that children are represented to be too clueless, or too knowledgeable in such tales, but in this case I was awestruck by the Authors ability to create the perfect balance.
Several themes are maintained through the story, and the Author has not shied away from difficult topics or concepts. Rather, she has approached them in a way that is not overly descriptive, and the more disturbing for it. But readers should perhaps be aware that there is an element of Sexual Abuse involved.
Personally I felt that the Author handled this well, and the ay she considers the possible future ramifications, not just for the person involved, but from a family perspective and how this can effect emotions and life for a long time after.
The parent side of me wishes that the father had stepped up a bit more rather than merely be supportive, but as the saying goes, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
That being said, as much as I was engaged and enjoyed the read, I did find that the story stops rather abruptly. I stared at the last page for a while wondering if I had missed something, and even reread the last couple of chapters, but the ending is very odd. Personally, it felt like the story had cut off rather than ended, which leaves me wondering why.
Well worth reading as the story is well crafted and the storyline interesting other than this, but due to the ending, this sadly isn’t one I would reread.
The story is told alternately from the Mother and Daughters perspective, mixing the story from then and the one from now. There are some disturbing elements including abuse, so perhaps consider this before reading if it may negatively impact you.
The themes of family ties and connections are well handled, and I found the reactions intriguing, as well as how the Author has handled the backlash the children experience. With a Mother going through so much and struggling to deal with the Mental Health implications for herself, it is understandable that there would be some effect on the children.
The Characters within this story were well created, I felt drawn into their lives and like I could empathise with both Mother and Daughters predicament. Their worries and habits are well told, so that the reader feels as if they are there with them, confused, angry or sad, the reader feels the emotions along with the Characters in the story. A talent of the Author certainly, although perhaps not the most comfortable feeling in this regard.
Emotions of children can be difficult to represent believably, because a balance between having and understanding the emotions isn’t necessarily there, so confusion is a key part and unpredictable responses, whilst maintaining an air of innocence. I often find that children are represented to be too clueless, or too knowledgeable in such tales, but in this case I was awestruck by the Authors ability to create the perfect balance.
Several themes are maintained through the story, and the Author has not shied away from difficult topics or concepts. Rather, she has approached them in a way that is not overly descriptive, and the more disturbing for it. But readers should perhaps be aware that there is an element of Sexual Abuse involved.
Personally I felt that the Author handled this well, and the ay she considers the possible future ramifications, not just for the person involved, but from a family perspective and how this can effect emotions and life for a long time after.
The parent side of me wishes that the father had stepped up a bit more rather than merely be supportive, but as the saying goes, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
That being said, as much as I was engaged and enjoyed the read, I did find that the story stops rather abruptly. I stared at the last page for a while wondering if I had missed something, and even reread the last couple of chapters, but the ending is very odd. Personally, it felt like the story had cut off rather than ended, which leaves me wondering why.
Well worth reading as the story is well crafted and the storyline interesting other than this, but due to the ending, this sadly isn’t one I would reread.