Lately, it seems like all the books I've been reading have been about babies and families. Or maybe I'm just more likely to notice those aspects of books because I have a baby of my own. Regardless, there is no denying that this book is centered around babies, families, and being a mother. One mother--after three failed pregnancies--would do anything to have a child of her own. Another mother--after the disappearance of her daughter and husband--would do anything to have them back, or at least have some answers to their fate. One man find himself wedged between the lives of the two women, and his own life becomes a wreck as he finds himself stuck between a strong sense of morality and the desire to be loyal.
At the end of novel, one of the characters admits that it wasn't until she had a child of her own that she could fully understand the decisions both women made. And although I never read this book childless, I honestly feel like I can say the same. While at times I morally disagreed with the decisions both women were making, I tried to imagine being in their shoes--and found myself wondering if I would have had the courage to do the right thing. Would I have had the courage to ask my husband to lie for me so that my prayers could be answered? Would I have been able to give up the life and child I had dreamed of to bring the child--my own flesh and blood--happiness?
While this book may be a tough read for anyone who has dealt with infertility/pregnancy loss and/or the death/disappearance of a young child, it is a beautifully written novel that truly captures one of the fundamental debates of humanity: doing what is right for someone else versus doing what is right for yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment