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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
It's not fun reading a book about child abuse. This book, though, was a real thrill ride of a story. The way the stories wove together was exciting and interesting, and my interest was engaged from pretty much the very beginning.
Probably 3.5 stars. I don't think this one was as much of 'mystery' as some of her other books. I did wonder a lot about how the Jenny story was going to fit in...it seemed pretty random for a long time. Overall, a good listen.
Very emotional book and again, I know I say this every time I read one of the author's books, but it's been my favorite of hers. It's the story of Ellen and Jenny, although different stories, they intertwine through unfortunate circumstances'. Ellen is a social worker that has her entire word turned upside down by a terrible mistake she made and Jenny is a 10 year old girl who has never had a positive and safe environment to live in. The story hits home a bit for me because I know someone who made the same horrible mistake and how much pain it causes family and friends. It was a heart wrenching read but also a story of love.
I love Heather’s writing style. Her books keep me intrigued until the very last page. Little Mercies didn’t disappoint. On to the next!
Ellen Moore is a conscientious social worker. A mother of three, she works with troubled families and several times, has had to make difficult decisions regarding her clients. Of taking children into care, because their parents were incapable of caring for them. A difficult decision, but one she has had to make, as that seemed the right thing to do for the children’s well-being. As a social worker, Ellen has seen the worst kind of things that people could do to children. She has fought to keep children safe, to bring the guilty to justice. Some cases she’s been successful, but in others criminals have got away, those are the ones that continue to haunt her.
In a sad twist of fate, Ellen finds herself in the same situation as her clients. She had a momentary lapse and faces the possibility of her child being taken away from her.
As a ferocious children’s rights and protection advocate she finds herself trapped in the same situation as her clients. Her former colleagues have no option but to follow the rules, especially when its one of their own who is the one facing charges.
As Ellen goes through the worst ever nightmare, her family rallies around her. Her husband with his unstinting support and her mother, with more practical means like providing her two older children with a home while their mother battle out with the authorities. Ellen’s mother has another unexpected charge, ten years old Jenny, who had ended up separated from her dad. Jenny has a story of her own. Living with her loving but alcoholic dad has exposed her to dangers as well as a survival mechanism way beyond her years. The one thing she has learnt in her short life is to stay clear of social workers, and funnily enough, she ends up in a social worker’s mother house of all places.
Ellen’s and Jenny’s stories is narrated in parallel. A very interesting narrative, one that makes you think. It could happen to any of us. Despite being the best of parents, what if we commit one mistake, just one innocent mistake, that makes us a criminal. One mistake that could end up separating you from your beloved child. A very scary prospect. That’s what it is. And yet, possible. Even if we are very careful most of the time, it could be that one tiny mistake that might turn into the worst mistake of our life. It was a situation, I as a parent, could easily relate to.
A book that affected me, and a book that I enjoyed reading. Well etched characters, an interesting premise and a fast paced narrative. A book I would recommend, if you like reading this genre of books. I do, and would rate it 4/5.
In a sad twist of fate, Ellen finds herself in the same situation as her clients. She had a momentary lapse and faces the possibility of her child being taken away from her.
As a ferocious children’s rights and protection advocate she finds herself trapped in the same situation as her clients. Her former colleagues have no option but to follow the rules, especially when its one of their own who is the one facing charges.
As Ellen goes through the worst ever nightmare, her family rallies around her. Her husband with his unstinting support and her mother, with more practical means like providing her two older children with a home while their mother battle out with the authorities. Ellen’s mother has another unexpected charge, ten years old Jenny, who had ended up separated from her dad. Jenny has a story of her own. Living with her loving but alcoholic dad has exposed her to dangers as well as a survival mechanism way beyond her years. The one thing she has learnt in her short life is to stay clear of social workers, and funnily enough, she ends up in a social worker’s mother house of all places.
Ellen’s and Jenny’s stories is narrated in parallel. A very interesting narrative, one that makes you think. It could happen to any of us. Despite being the best of parents, what if we commit one mistake, just one innocent mistake, that makes us a criminal. One mistake that could end up separating you from your beloved child. A very scary prospect. That’s what it is. And yet, possible. Even if we are very careful most of the time, it could be that one tiny mistake that might turn into the worst mistake of our life. It was a situation, I as a parent, could easily relate to.
A book that affected me, and a book that I enjoyed reading. Well etched characters, an interesting premise and a fast paced narrative. A book I would recommend, if you like reading this genre of books. I do, and would rate it 4/5.
From the very first few pages I was drawn into the story. I immediately felt myself relating to the main character as a mother and I felt her fear and pain intensely. How easily everything could go horrible wrong and the wrecked feeling this mother felt. The writing was so good I could feel myself in her situation. The other storyline about Jenny was just okay. I understand that story was tied together with the other in the end but felt it was not needing. I would have liked to have more dialogue with the husband and family as I don't believe this type of scenario would be easily understood or even easy to forgive even if it was an accident. Little mercies indeed.
Was in a bit of a book funk when library contacted me that my request was ready. This book was just what I needed, fiction with a bit of suspense that hooked me right away. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and it was a quick pull together at the end.
Difficult topic, but nicely done! Loved the way the author switches between characters to tell the story from two points of view.
Very quick read that was somewhat predictable but still a really cute story. Just loved Maudene :)