This novel focuses on the aftereffects of a suicide in a family on the people left behind. In that, it is highly successful in an insightful and reflective way.

The story is told from the voice of Maddy, the mother after her death, and then, the other people in the family, trying to adapt to her suicide. As the plot progresses, the reader understands that the mother had no real reason to kill herself. In fact, about halfway through the novel, I suspected it to be an accident, and the author’s purposefully omitting the circumstances of the mother’s death became a bit annoying but other than this, I was very much impressed with the characterization in general.

What was so impressive was the reaction of the daughter, Eve, and the husband, Brady, as they questioned their own earlier actions with guilt and grieved in their own ways, infusing the story with their loss and misery. Eve especially felt close to me as if I knew her. This alone shows the author’s understanding of human behavior.

The insightful examination of this family’s relationships and their efforts to adjust makes this book a must-read for those who like to read about families, marriage, and children.

gaining insight into what suicide does to families.

the characterization and specifically Eve's voice.

is Abby Fabiacchi and this is her debut novel.

It is insightful into the human spirit and has a positive-enough ending.

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Created Sep 24, 2017 at 5:18pm • Submit your own review...