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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
SO GOOD! T Greenwood has been one of my favorite authors and this book doesn’t disappoint. I only wish there was more to read, I couldn’t put it down and finished this in two sittings. Can’t wait for her next book!
I received an advance review copy through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
To be quite frank, I felt like this book is only nominally about Lucy, or "a mother's love." It's really about Ginny and her privilege and narrow worldview. I can muster a bit of sympathy considering how sheltered she's always been, how she grew up knowing she was going to be a housewife and mother; the world is a scary place, especially when you've never actually prepared to face it. But only a bit, because the primary focus of the narrative seems to be Ginny's safe little bubble being popped as she "has to" do dangerous things for Lucy.
The actual writing and storytelling are fine, engaging even, but I took issue with the morality. The narrative, through other characters, repeatedly insists that Ginny can do no wrong, even if she's breaking the law or endangering both her children; while I do believe that her good intentions count for something, they don't justify her every decision.
To be quite frank, I felt like this book is only nominally about Lucy, or "a mother's love." It's really about Ginny and her privilege and narrow worldview. I can muster a bit of sympathy considering how sheltered she's always been, how she grew up knowing she was going to be a housewife and mother; the world is a scary place, especially when you've never actually prepared to face it. But only a bit, because the primary focus of the narrative seems to be Ginny's safe little bubble being popped as she "has to" do dangerous things for Lucy.
The actual writing and storytelling are fine, engaging even, but I took issue with the morality. The narrative, through other characters, repeatedly insists that Ginny can do no wrong, even if she's breaking the law or endangering both her children; while I do believe that her good intentions count for something, they don't justify her every decision.
You want to chalk up the attitudes and actions to "the times." And "things are different these days." But that doesn't keep the reader from cringing when reading about the conditions of the home Lucy was kept in or how Ginny's own family fought against her desire to keep her child at home. I really enjoyed Ms. Greenwood's ability to sympathetically portray both Ginny and her husband, who is stuck between his parents' control, his love for his wife, and his need to find himself. Though it might have been distracting, I think it would have been nice to develop his character a bit more. I really enjoyed how Ms. Greenwood subtly weaved in a woman's inability to function in society without a man: Ginny got an allowance, didn't have a driver's license, etc. in to the story of saving Lucy. The only aspect of the story that didn’t feel realistic was the actual problems Ginny had with toddler Lucy. It all seemed a bit too easy and I would have expected a few more bumps as they got to know each other. And we know how I feel about nice, neat, pretty endings.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this novel with low expectations and no real idea what I was getting into, and was shocked by how riveting I found the story. The era is painted very vividly, and the characters are all more complicated than they seem at first. It's a novel that deals with not only how we handle (and have handled) babies who are different than the norm, but more importantly it's about how family dynamics and how important it is to be true to ourselves and to grow. I found the writing to be clear and polished and tore through it in a day or two because I had to know what happened to Lucy and her family. It brings up a lot of painful history, but advocates love and understanding, and compassion for not only those most obviously in need but also those who we assume we understand but really, can not possibly know their stories.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes