I have read this author before, so I was predisposed to pick up this book, but I really wasn’t sure what to expect as I started reading. What I got was a cross between a family drama and a psych thriller with a little touch of mystery. It all worked together to make one page-turner of a read for most of the book.
With Mel, the author was successful in creating a character that many women could immediately sympathize with. I would venture to say that every mom, at one point or another, has lost their sense of self because they are so wrapped up in the rest of the family.
Mel was a well-developed character with motivations that made her sympathetic, even when she made choices that many women wouldn’t. It made for an interesting juxtaposition because I felt the reader could still disapprove of Mel’s actions while also relating to her. Strange, but effective.
The plot itself was thought out and detailed enough to keep a reader’s attention. There are a few twists, although not in the traditional sense that some people might expect, as well as some red herrings. I’m not sure if the author meant for them to be red herrings, though.
It seemed as if there was a point where the author gave up on subplots and decided to focus just on Mel and her situation. I was fine with that, but in retrospect, there was an awful lot of detail at the beginning that just seemed to be pushed away or ignored in the latter part of the book.
Other parts seemed to be used more as manipulation to move the plot rather than to be of great importance. For example, Mel’s son is on the spectrum. I thought the author did a good job of making him authentic – she either did her homework or has experience with people in the same situation.
But beyond him being a tenuous connection to another main character, there didn’t seem to be much purpose to him being written that way. I guess maybe to cement the fact that Mel had a lot of stress so that she was more sympathetic? The same could be said for Collin’s mother.
In fact, now that I think about it, there were quite a few moments that seemed as if they meant more in the plot but didn’t pan out at all. The writing group, the reaction of Liz at one of the fake book club meetings, the mother’s moment of lucidity …unless I missed it, those all went nowhere. Likewise, the blackmail aspect seemed shaky – especially when other connections were made.
I do have an issue with the blurb as well. As I have mentioned before, I rarely read the full blurbs of books and if I do it’s only once. I prefer to come into a book without knowing much about it so I can discover it on my own. In this case, the blurb gives away what is arguably the biggest plot point.
I’m glad I didn’t read it before because I would have had a different perspective on the story, and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much. I think there has to be a way to generate interest in the story without giving away the farm.
The opening chapter sets up a major plot point – but the blurb gives that away. So, if you’ve read the blurb, there is no mystery. At least until after it occurs and things start to happen to Mel. And because the surprise was ruined, the big reveal toward the end sort of fell flat for me.
Anyway, I guess it’s a teeny gripe, but I’m sure glad that I read the book without having read the blurb. Ultimately, this was a story about the lengths a woman may go to so she can feel whole, but also what she would do to protect her family. It’s an ongoing, inner battle that readers will probably be able to relate to, and the book is a good read because of it.
Author Bio:
Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and playwright-in-residence at the University of Texas, Arlington, where she teaches film studies and playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Smith College, and she’s also a screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Seraphina has traveled the world using theatre and film as a teaching tool, living in South Africa, Guam and Kenya as a volunteer teacher, AIDS relief worker, and documentary filmmaker.
