A review by lisagray68
This Side of Providence by Rachel M. Harper

5.0

I got this book in exchange for an honest review through the Library Thing program. It's been a long time since I cried reading a book -- and if I had let myself, I might have just sobbed. I had to take a few breaks also, the book is pretty desperate and dark. This is a story of Arcelia, a Puerto Rican immigrant who is a heroin addict and also the mom of three kids. The story is told in first person from the viewpoint of several different characters, which some people don't like, but I had no problem with. Perhaps part of what was so hard for me is that one of the main narrators is her 5th grade son, and I have a 5th grade son. I just can't imagine my sweet 5th grader having to live the life this poor boy lived. The book is realistic, even though you wish it wasn't. The progression and ending is what you can expect when you read or hear about a heroin addict.