"Before, a different era, the Before and the After, lifelines severed by a distinct demarcation forever. The life I lead now is in the After." ~ pg. 106
The Mother explores the emotional struggle of a devastated mother understanding her teenage son's death. Marcia Williams is consumed with grief and confusion. Why was her 16-year-old son brutally murdered? To help understand, she goes to court for the trial of the teenage boy accused of taking her son's life.
Marcia and Lloydie did everything right. They raised an intelligent, kind-hearted boy. How could he be dead? The Mother is a prime example of how one act of violence affects the lives of everyone involved. What a timely novel!
"I expected the walls to shake, the stand to spontaneously combust, expected his speaking to have the impact on the room around him that his actions have had on our lives." ~ pg. 214
I can say all day long how I would react if in a situation. Truth is, I don't know what my reaction will be until I am experiencing that moment. I cannot pretend to understand how it feels for a parent to lose a child to violence. But through descriptive words, honest dialogue and well-developed characters, I was able to get a gist.
It is not an exaggeration when I say The Mother is unputdownable. Even Chickadee read through it quickly in between hot jobs. It is the kind of book you carry around and pull out whenever you have a couple minutes to read. But be warned, bookhearts: it is emotional so be careful when reading in public.
I buddy read The Mother with my mother. What a good selection for us. I am looking forward to more discussion with Chickadee about the plot and ending. There are so many central themes and real life issues addressed within the pages of The Mother. For this reason, it will be a great choice for book clubs worldwide, group therapy sessions and social studies/psychology classes. Do not hesitate to add this hardcover debut novel to your TBR.
Title: The Mother
Author: Yvvette Edwards
Published: May 2016
Pages: 238
Edition: Hardcover
Challenge: Bookish Kill Your TBR—Read Consecutively; Popsugar—A Book Recommended by a Family Member
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♡
Loved this book, so glad you and your mom enjoyed it too. One note, this isn't her debut novel. She's previously released A Cupboard Full of Coats, which was also a really good read.
ReplyDeleteYes, we did! I was wondering why Goodreads stated this is her "hardcover" debut. Maybe because the first book was issued in paperback and eBook only. Glad you recommend her official debut novel. I'm looking forward to reading it soon.
Delete"Unputdownable" indeed . Down to the last few pages I was wondering how the author was going to wrap the storyline up and get the "whole story" told . I realized the "whole story" as I was reading the very last paragraph (victims 2nd personal statement ) , one must learn and know how to Care and for that to happen you must accept: The gift of Love. Tears flowed because "The Mother" showed us again how a large part of our society is "UnLoved" and it takes tragedy to make the connection. #DeepRead
ReplyDeleteWell said, Chickadee. I too was wondering how the author would wrap up the story in less than a few pages. Then, like you, I realized the true meaning of the story. So often we focus on the wrong things. THE MOTHER was so wonderfully written and glad we read it together!
DeleteChicadee , it has been another pleasure.
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