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A review by reagannixon
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim
4.0
4.25 stars. I liked this. It felt a little too long and while the pace was slower, it was steady. An impressive debut novel for sure and I liked how it was lightly philosophical and covers several issues (immigration, autism, Korean culture, alternative medicine, parents of children with special needs) that frequently challenged me to consider my beliefs/perspective/privilege. For example, a sub theme revolves around autism and whether it is wrong to try to “cure” a child’s autism with treatments of any kind. I also appreciated another book bringing me into Korean-American families and their cultures and practices (and prejudices). I also appreciated seeing both the mother and daughters perspective and experience as the mother worked tirelessly at a store from 6am to midnight (which forced her to effectually abandon her daughter during difficult and formative years).
SUMMARY: Korean family opens an alternative treatment facility (using pressurized oxygen) in a small town about an hour from DC (Miracle Creek). A fire happens that kills and injured some of the patients.
The book primarily investigates who is responsible: were they owners trying to cash in on insurance? Was it the protestors? Was it a mother of a child patient who was suspected of child abuse? Was it the angry teen child of the owners? Was it the unhappy wife of a patient who felt trapped in a marriage she didn’t want?
As the story unfolds more hidden secrets come out raising more suspicions. For example, hidden “drug” abuse, an affair, an inappropriate relationship between an adult and a 17 yo, parental neglect, mental health and the stress of caring for a child with extensive special needs, controversy around alternative treatments, “mean girls” or more accurately “mean moms”.
Overall (and maybe this is a spoiler?) it’s a story about how many seemingly innocuous little things lead to big events and unintended consequences.
The audio version has an interview with the author at the end that’s great! (It boosted my rating to a 4.25 from a 4 when I leaned some of the backstory that ultimately enhanced my understanding and reading experience)
SUMMARY: Korean family opens an alternative treatment facility (using pressurized oxygen) in a small town about an hour from DC (Miracle Creek). A fire happens that kills and injured some of the patients.
The book primarily investigates who is responsible: were they owners trying to cash in on insurance? Was it the protestors? Was it a mother of a child patient who was suspected of child abuse? Was it the angry teen child of the owners? Was it the unhappy wife of a patient who felt trapped in a marriage she didn’t want?
As the story unfolds more hidden secrets come out raising more suspicions. For example, hidden “drug” abuse, an affair, an inappropriate relationship between an adult and a 17 yo, parental neglect, mental health and the stress of caring for a child with extensive special needs, controversy around alternative treatments, “mean girls” or more accurately “mean moms”.
Overall (and maybe this is a spoiler?) it’s a story about how many seemingly innocuous little things lead to big events and unintended consequences.
The audio version has an interview with the author at the end that’s great! (It boosted my rating to a 4.25 from a 4 when I leaned some of the backstory that ultimately enhanced my understanding and reading experience)