Minding

by Chris Paling

Now that Billy lives with his new foster family, he and his mother, Jane, only get to see each other four times a year. As their time together approaches, Jane receives a sudden and violent reminder of her troubled past and ends up missing their appointment.

259 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2007

About the author

Born in 1956 in Derby, Chris Paling studied social sciences at the University of Sussex. He started working as a studio manager for BBC radio in 1981. In the early 90s he had a Thirty Minute Theatre play called Way Station produced on BBC Radio 4. He wrote more radio plays and later began writing novels.

Chris Paling is married with two children, Sarah and Thomas, and lives in Brighton.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply affecting and beautifully written examination of mental illness and the effects it has not only on the sufferer, but on their loved ones, that neatly avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality and easy answers. One of the best novels I've read this year. Why this was overlooked by the Booker judges is a mystery.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book I could say I enjoyed, as such, as it's terribly sad through most of it, although I did sense a feeling of hope in the ending! I did love the simple style though, which made it very easy to like Jane and Billy, and really hope that it turned out well for the 2 of them in the end!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the effects of mental illness on a young mother and her son. Sad and scary, especially at the beginning, but became more hopeful later. I liked Jane (from a safe distance) and I would have liked to see more of Billy.