A review by jgeisler
Our Short History by Lauren Grodstein

4.0

A beautiful book about the love a mother has for her child and her sincere - and sometimes painful - efforts to ensure the best future possiblefor him. The idea behind this book is unique, in my experience. A woman has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and as the book opens, you realize that you are reading the book that she is writing so her 6 year old son is able to learn more about her and this time when he is older. The book is a mixture of reminiscences of their past, details and rationale for the arrangements she has made for him and information about his father, who actually didn't know he had a son until the little boy began asking about his father.

The characters are beautifully drwn and realistic; the sister, working so hard to support her sister, the father, who is over the moon with the news that he has a child and still tries to support the mother, and the main character who wants desperately to protect her child and yet gives herself space to consider other options in his best interest.

a thought provoking book.......highly recommended.