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bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
Started off strong, and I had a lot of sympathy for the main character, but I thought it delved too much into sentimentality later in the book, and the writing is a little clunky in places. More completely review to come.
Full review:
I've read several of Gudenkauf's previous books and tend to like her writing style. However, this one didn't have the same effect for me. It started off strong and dealt with a topic I found very thought-provoking, putting me in the shoes of the main character, Ellen, but I thought later sections delved a bit too much into sentimentality. Some spoilers to follow.
The book starts with a simple premise that really made me think. On a harried day, a series of misunderstandings leads to Ellen inadvertently leaving her baby locked in a car on a hot day, resulting in serious medical consequences for her daughter and serious legal consequences for Ellen. I thought the author handled this issue with great sensitivity, and the parallel nature of the accident--it occurs while Ellen, a social worker, is intervening in a client's domestic issue that threatens the children's safety--was an interesting setup. I think that anyone who's a working parent knows what a blur the morning rush can be, as you're hurrying about getting yourself ready for work and your kids ready for school or daycare. Stay-at-home parents, too, can identify with the general craziness that comes from being a parent of multiple children, trying to keep everything organized and coordinated while often feeling as if you're barely keeping your head above water.
Ellen's excruciating guilt and the self-doubt she experiences are very convincing. She knows she didn't do anything wrong, but like most parents when something goes wrong with their child, she can't quite absolve herself of the conviction that she really is at fault. The accident also gives her a new perspective on some of her clients and what they've suffered as a result of their situations, and the times when she's had to have children removed from their custody.
What I most liked about this book is that I think it provides a pretty nuanced, though somewhat superficial view of a complex issue. Obviously abuse and neglect are unacceptable, but looking at things from a strictly black-and-white perspective allows us to ignore the pervasive and pernicious problems caused by things like substance abuse, poverty, relationship violence, etc. Ellen is good at what she does, but she comes to see that her perspective has sometimes been far too narrow. Yes, she wants to protect her juvenile clients, but she's sometimes done so at the expense of ignoring their parents' humanity.
The more problematic elements, I think, lie with Jenny. I liked her as a character, and I thought Gudenkauf did a good job of portraying a kid from a troubled background, but I found the plot surrounding her too contrived. I can't say much specific about it without giving away some major elements of the book, but I think I would have liked it better had Jenny's story not coincided with Ellen's as it did. In a way I thought this diminished the importance of Jenny's tale because it made it seem like no more than another aspect of Ellen's struggles to strike a balance between her family life and a job that understandably threatens to consume her.
The value of a book like this is in the new perspective a reader can gain. It does lack nuance when it comes to racial and religious elements, but it does give the reader a taste of what a social worker does. This is a job that I think is severely undervalued in society, and social workers make scandalously little money for what they do. Having to carry the psychological weight of their work is a burden, and what they do is so important to the fabric of society that it deserves more attention and more respect. Conversely, the book also puts readers in the shoes of people on the margins, though not to the same extent as it puts them in Ellen's shoes. Still, it provides some insight into what it's like for people for whom survival is a daily struggle, something that can be very easy to forget it you live in a solidly middle-class or upper-class neighborhood. Ellen goes through a process of recognizing that she brings her views into her work, views that aren't grounded in the same reality as that of the people she serves.
Finally, I found the resolution of the book a bit too pat. Things are tied up with a very neat bow, which does make for a satisfying ending, but far too often people in Jenny's or Ellen's position don't get the just, happy ending they deserve. It's a decent book about a very sensitive topic, but it doesn't do the topic quite enough justice.
Full review:
I've read several of Gudenkauf's previous books and tend to like her writing style. However, this one didn't have the same effect for me. It started off strong and dealt with a topic I found very thought-provoking, putting me in the shoes of the main character, Ellen, but I thought later sections delved a bit too much into sentimentality. Some spoilers to follow.
The book starts with a simple premise that really made me think. On a harried day, a series of misunderstandings leads to Ellen inadvertently leaving her baby locked in a car on a hot day, resulting in serious medical consequences for her daughter and serious legal consequences for Ellen. I thought the author handled this issue with great sensitivity, and the parallel nature of the accident--it occurs while Ellen, a social worker, is intervening in a client's domestic issue that threatens the children's safety--was an interesting setup. I think that anyone who's a working parent knows what a blur the morning rush can be, as you're hurrying about getting yourself ready for work and your kids ready for school or daycare. Stay-at-home parents, too, can identify with the general craziness that comes from being a parent of multiple children, trying to keep everything organized and coordinated while often feeling as if you're barely keeping your head above water.
Ellen's excruciating guilt and the self-doubt she experiences are very convincing. She knows she didn't do anything wrong, but like most parents when something goes wrong with their child, she can't quite absolve herself of the conviction that she really is at fault. The accident also gives her a new perspective on some of her clients and what they've suffered as a result of their situations, and the times when she's had to have children removed from their custody.
What I most liked about this book is that I think it provides a pretty nuanced, though somewhat superficial view of a complex issue. Obviously abuse and neglect are unacceptable, but looking at things from a strictly black-and-white perspective allows us to ignore the pervasive and pernicious problems caused by things like substance abuse, poverty, relationship violence, etc. Ellen is good at what she does, but she comes to see that her perspective has sometimes been far too narrow. Yes, she wants to protect her juvenile clients, but she's sometimes done so at the expense of ignoring their parents' humanity.
The more problematic elements, I think, lie with Jenny. I liked her as a character, and I thought Gudenkauf did a good job of portraying a kid from a troubled background, but I found the plot surrounding her too contrived. I can't say much specific about it without giving away some major elements of the book, but I think I would have liked it better had Jenny's story not coincided with Ellen's as it did. In a way I thought this diminished the importance of Jenny's tale because it made it seem like no more than another aspect of Ellen's struggles to strike a balance between her family life and a job that understandably threatens to consume her.
The value of a book like this is in the new perspective a reader can gain. It does lack nuance when it comes to racial and religious elements, but it does give the reader a taste of what a social worker does. This is a job that I think is severely undervalued in society, and social workers make scandalously little money for what they do. Having to carry the psychological weight of their work is a burden, and what they do is so important to the fabric of society that it deserves more attention and more respect. Conversely, the book also puts readers in the shoes of people on the margins, though not to the same extent as it puts them in Ellen's shoes. Still, it provides some insight into what it's like for people for whom survival is a daily struggle, something that can be very easy to forget it you live in a solidly middle-class or upper-class neighborhood. Ellen goes through a process of recognizing that she brings her views into her work, views that aren't grounded in the same reality as that of the people she serves.
Finally, I found the resolution of the book a bit too pat. Things are tied up with a very neat bow, which does make for a satisfying ending, but far too often people in Jenny's or Ellen's position don't get the just, happy ending they deserve. It's a decent book about a very sensitive topic, but it doesn't do the topic quite enough justice.
drusmilford's review against another edition
5.0
Books on tape. Very intense subject but so worth it!!!!!!!!! Think I probably enjoyed it better listening to it rather than actually reading it.
cbgreen's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved this one! Story had me hooked from beginning to end! A must read!!
julienog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
In this book, Heather Gudenkaug tells a desperate tale about how misfortune can cause people to be torn away from the people they love and what they must do to get them back. The main characters, Jenny and Ellen both are put in sudden situations where they are taken away from the people they love the most. In their situations, their stories intertwine on their quests for hope. While their stories start with unfortunate events, they still try to make the most of their situations and get their lives back.
The characters in the story are very well written. Each character has their own struggles that effects their actions and decision making. The plot is driven by the mistakes and actions by these characters. While there are many twists and turns in the story that arae caused by the characters, all of these events occur in a way where the reader can understand how they came to be and what drives the characters to do what they do.
The characters in the story are very well written. Each character has their own struggles that effects their actions and decision making. The plot is driven by the mistakes and actions by these characters. While there are many twists and turns in the story that arae caused by the characters, all of these events occur in a way where the reader can understand how they came to be and what drives the characters to do what they do.
holmstead's review against another edition
4.0
Heather definitely knows how to develop great characters and pull at those damn heart strings. This was so sad, but so powerful. It makes you think very hard about how things can happen, how to appreciate the people in your life....because in an instant it can be gone. Ellen was so smart, strong, and driven. But she wasn't invincible. She was human.
This story delves into the life of social worker Ellen Moore, who has a family and a career and is going about her life helping other children and parents get their lives back on track. We also meet Jenny, a 10-year old girl who just wants to have a normal life, despite her alcoholic but in no way detrimental father. She's been in foster homes and she's just waiting for the day her dad can get his life straight and they can enjoy a happy, lazy life on a houseboat. And have dinner every night, and shoes, and clothes: everything a child deserves. Then Ellen and Jenny's worlds intertwine and.....fall apart. This story was heartbreaking and extremely emotional. But it gave me goose bumps and chills, tears, made me cringe and cry out. Hell, I regret nothing.
This story delves into the life of social worker Ellen Moore, who has a family and a career and is going about her life helping other children and parents get their lives back on track. We also meet Jenny, a 10-year old girl who just wants to have a normal life, despite her alcoholic but in no way detrimental father. She's been in foster homes and she's just waiting for the day her dad can get his life straight and they can enjoy a happy, lazy life on a houseboat. And have dinner every night, and shoes, and clothes: everything a child deserves. Then Ellen and Jenny's worlds intertwine and.....fall apart. This story was heartbreaking and extremely emotional. But it gave me goose bumps and chills, tears, made me cringe and cry out. Hell, I regret nothing.
lvidler's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put it down and cried my eyes out the whole time .
I thought it was a thoughtful and very well written book.
I thought it was a thoughtful and very well written book.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
Sad, yet hopeful. I want to hug Jenny and Ellen.
Listening length nine hr
Listening length nine hr
lindseyslittlelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this one down. Any mom can relate to this book. It made me hug my kids a little tighter.
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book with a fairly simple plot - but it's the book's simplicities that make it so powerful and relateable to most human beings. Ellen is a social worker who puts the needs of her clients first. She has a family, whom she loves and adores, but the needs of the neglected children often take "front seat." Jenny is a neglected girl with a troubled past. As you have pieced together, their paths collide when tragedy strikes them both. It's a tale about love, tragedy, and moving forward - defintely worth reading.