Book Review – Between A Mother And Her Child

Then Jake, their eldest son, dies. Maggie sacrificed her career as an Australian Olympic swimmer for Bill when she became pregnant. She moved to London with him and settled into her new role. She never regretted it. But now, after their beautiful son’s death, what does it all mean?

Two years later, their daughter, Aly continues to achieve. Stan is a special needs child, and Maggie and Bill deal with that too. But the loss exposes cracks in their relationships. Tiny fissures that weren’t noticeable before. But the new emotions push through relentlessly, and change whatever is left of those bonds as well.

Maggie asks Bill to leave. He copes by talking, and doing. She wants to be left alone. Olivia, Maggie’s sister, arrives from Australia for Christmas, and a slow healing process takes shape.  Elizabeth Noble has tackled a difficult subject. She dissects the layers of grief through a parent’s worst nightmare – the death of a child. There is a truth in her writing and you will feel heartbroken, and then hopeful, after reading this novel.

Amanda Patterson
4/5