Pages

Friday, June 3, 2016

Blog Tour: The Mother by Yvette Edwards

Author: Yvette Edwards
Publisher: Amistad
Date of Publication: May 2016

Marcia’s husband, Lloydie, expresses his tender love for his wife each morning by preparing a cup of tea and setting it by her bedside. This routine was part of the wonderful, secure life they had built, complete with a brilliant and handsome sixteen-year-old son, Ryan.

Then the unimaginable happens, and in a single moment Marcia is stripped clean of everything she had presumed was hers for keeps. Ryan, not the kind of boy to find himself on the wrong end of a knife, is brutally murdered. Consumed by grief and rage, she is forced to carry the weight of the family’s pain. She has to assume the role of supporter for her inconsolable husband, who has distanced himself and created a secret life. She must also bridle her dark feelings and endure something no mother should ever have to experience: she must go to court alone for the trial of her son’s killer, Tyson, another teenage boy. As the trial takes apart her son’s life and reassembles it in front of strangers, Marcia, always certain of Ryan’s virtues, finds her beliefs and assumptions challenged as she learns more about her son’s death and of Tyson’s life.

The Mother was kind of a difficult book to get through emotionally.  Marcia's son has been murdered and the book opens as she prepares for the trial of his killer. Her marriage seems to be on the fritz and she can barely function on some days.  The story follows her through the trial and gives you insight into her thoughts about everything going on around her.

This is a very emotional book.  As a mother, I found it so heart wrenching.  I can't imagine and hope I never to know what it would be like to lose a child in this way.  The emotions that not only Marcia but her husband and sister displayed came across as very real to me.  I liked that we get to see her inner thoughts about the killer, his mother, and the girlfriend.  I could honestly see myself thinking the same thoughts.  One of the scene that stuck with me the most was a commentary about the thoughtlessness of the media.  When Marcia's sister tells the media off about not labeling the two boy's photos in the paper, I was cheering her on!

The only thing that I didn't really like about the book was the ending.  I felt like her decision didn't feel right to me after all she had been through with the trial.  It just didn't ring true.  I also felt a bit cheated after going through it with her and having it be kind of open ended with no epilogue.

This is a quick read, but one that will stick with you for a long time.  I do recommend giving this one a try.  I look forward to reading more from this author.



About Yvvette Edwards


Yvvette Edwards, the author of the highly praised A Cupboard Full of Coats, has lived in London all her life. She resides in the East End and is married with three daughters and a stepson. The Mother is her second novel.

Purchase Links


Tour Stops
Tuesday, May 10th: 5 Minutes For Books
Thursday, May 12th: A Bookish Way of Life
Thursday, May 19th: Tina Says…
Monday, May 23rd: Ms. Nose in a Book
Friday, May 27th: SJ2B House Of Books
Monday, May 30th: Back Porchervations
Tuesday, May 31st: Kritters Ramblings
Thursday, June 2nd: Booksie’s Blog
Friday, June 3rd: From the TBR Pile
Saturday, June 11th: A Dream Within a Dream
Tuesday, June 14th: Bookish Realm Reviews
Wednesday, June 15th: G. Jacks Writes


1 comment:

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

I know this will stick with me for a long time - having a teen boy of my own, the story hits very close to home.

Thanks for being a part of the tour.