Many thought-provoking themes but a disappointing resolution.
This story explores how easy it is for an apparently stable family to start to disintegrate following a major crisis. Angie, the main character, is a loving mother, determined to do her best for her children and to keep her family together but this doesn’t prevent her from falling victim to spiralling debt and an increasingly desperate feeling that, in spite of all her efforts, her life is running out of control. Although there were moments when I felt irritated by her ostrich-like tendency to ignore the implications of her mounting debts, the story did demonstrate that there are huge problems with the way in which the benefit system works, problems which all too often contribute to driving hard-working families into increasing debt.
The storyline incorporates many of the challenges which affect contemporary society. These include the pernicious influence of county lines gangs which infiltrate small communities, preying on vulnerable young people and introducing easy access to drugs before turning them into either addicts or couriers, or sometimes both; the lack of suitable accommodation available when families become homeless; struggles with mental health; pay-day loans; human trafficking and internet grooming via social media.
Although there are many ways in which I found this to be a well-written, well-researched and thought-provoking story, and think that the author created characters it was easy to feel some empathy with, I ended up feeling rather dissatisfied. I think this was mainly because, given the dark nature of some of the themes explored, some of the resolutions felt far too neatly resolved and “fairy-tale” for my taste. However, I think the book would provide some interesting topics for reading group discussion.
The storyline incorporates many of the challenges which affect contemporary society. These include the pernicious influence of county lines gangs which infiltrate small communities, preying on vulnerable young people and introducing easy access to drugs before turning them into either addicts or couriers, or sometimes both; the lack of suitable accommodation available when families become homeless; struggles with mental health; pay-day loans; human trafficking and internet grooming via social media.
Although there are many ways in which I found this to be a well-written, well-researched and thought-provoking story, and think that the author created characters it was easy to feel some empathy with, I ended up feeling rather dissatisfied. I think this was mainly because, given the dark nature of some of the themes explored, some of the resolutions felt far too neatly resolved and “fairy-tale” for my taste. However, I think the book would provide some interesting topics for reading group discussion.