I was going to wait to write this review in order to process the book and contemplate my “talking points.” However, with school starting back, I thought I had better write it while I have time. Synopsis:
With her father recently moved to a care facility, Beth Walsh volunteers to clear out the family home and is surprised to discover the door to her childhood playroom padlocked. She’s even more shocked at what’s behind it—a hoarder’s mess of her father’s paintings, mounds of discarded papers and miscellaneous junk in the otherwise fastidiously tidy house.
As she picks through the clutter, she finds a loose journal entry in what appears to be her late mother’s handwriting. Beth and her siblings grew up believing their mother died in a car accident when they were little more than toddlers, but this note suggests something much darker.
Beth soon pieces together a disturbing portrait of a woman suffering from postpartum depression and a husband who bears little resemblance to the loving father Beth and her siblings know. With a newborn of her own and struggling with motherhood, Beth finds there may be more tying her and her mother together than she ever suspected.
First, let me say I really liked this book. I actually have loved all of Kelly Rimmer’s books. This was an emotional page-turner. So, before I go into my viewpoints, I would encourage you to read this book. I think it touches on many emotional topics – postpartum depression, women’s rights (workforce, perception of role as mother/wife), family dynamics, and (sadly) abortion. I think it brings attention to mental illness and the stigma attached to it. Out of all the talking points that one could discuss, though, I want to discuss the aspect of abortion and how it was presented in the book. Many will adamantly disagree with my viewpoint, and that is ok (cause it is, remember, my blog post). Also, I am not including spoilers of the book, per se, but possibly shedding light on the book you may not want to know until after you read it. So, stop reading post now if needed…
A Reader’s Discussion question (as part of the book) asked: “Abortion is a highly contentious and emotive topic. Do you think the author intended to take a side in the way she told this story? Did the story challenge your own thoughts on the subject?” Let’s talk about this… I do not think Kelly Rimmer chose a side on this issue. I do think it leaned more towards pro-choice, but I am not going to state that she leaned one way or the other. Unless she comes out and states a side, I think it is dangerous and unfair to say she leans one way or not. She does give snippets of the husband’s viewpoint on having a decision and say as to if his child should be aborted. He also states it is murder. Other than those two statements, there really isn’t any other discussions on pro-life programs in place today that helps women who are pregnant. It does mention Planned Parenthood which is why I think it does lean a little more pro-choice. However, there could be different reasons for this, one mainly because Planned Parenthood is the largest group in the nation whereas the pro-life groups tend to be smaller and locally based. Not sure…And one more point…without knowing what this book was about, I did read it one month after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade (side note: the overturning of that case DID NOT make abortion illegal but sent the issue back to each state to decide). Therefore, the issue of abortion is more controversial now than ever before.
Saying that, many will probably read this book and think it gives justification as to why abortion should be legalized. I do think many will say that women deaths will begin to increase due to women seeking “back alley” abortions. I am pro-life. I don’t think one can be pro-life yet support abortion. I don’t think one can say “I wouldn’t get an abortion but I will not stop another woman making that decision.” Either you are pro-life or you are pro-choice. There is no “riding the fence” on this issue. I have heard some say abortion is needed for rape victims or those molested. I am thankful that a former student, and now friend, works in the pro-life movement and told me this (just a few weeks ago): 99% of abortions occur as a result of consensual sexual activity (not due to rape or incest). Why am I saying all this? Because the book does not bring attention to the topic of the value of life but rather the choice that women should have when considering pregnancies and abortions (“safe and effective”) for reasons that are solely her choice. There is no discussion on the life of the child or help for those who may find themselves in these situations.
Since the Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade, I have been thinking about the sanctity of life. Many mock and make fun of legislators when they say that endangered species have more protections than a human life. Laugh but isn’t it true? Don’t you see the irony? Our nation has laws that value life in an endangered species’ fertilized eggs but does not recognize human life at conception (fertilized eggs). One may argue “when does life begin?” “Funny” how some recognize that an endangered species’ fertilized eggs represents life but not a human. God did design humans (created in God’s image) to have dominion over creatures. A human life should be valued more than a creatures.
Going back to the question: “Did the story challenge your own thoughts on the subject?” No. It did not which is why I went into my previous thoughts and reflections. Although I really liked the book (and still think it is a good one to read), I think more pro-life perception should have been included if there was to be a balanced viewpoint on a topic she deliberately wanted to write about. Much talk, in the book, looked at how women have many choices over their bodies and pregnancies today versus 1950s but not much talk was given as to how there is more available help for those who may find themselves in difficult situations so abortion would not be the “answer.”
PS: Here is another review similar to mine (pro-life): click here
Pro-life resources: National Right to Life, Center for Pregnancy Choices, American Life League
