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Very Bad Parents: An Absurd Slice of Psychological Fiction Offering a Glimpse into the Twisted Lives of an All-American Family
In 1964, sixteen-year-old Joan Andersen survives the crudest form of a botched abortion. What follows is a series of painful complications, leaving her traumatized and emotionally scarred. Plagued with guilt and longing for redemption, Joan convinces herself that the baby she lost is still with her, an obsession bordering on delusion.
Jack Smithfield is devastated when his girlfriend confesses to having a back-alley abortion behind his back. Tormented by the loss of a baby he never knew existed, Jack is hell-bent on vengeance. After tracking down the man who performed the procedure, he exacts his revenge and considers the matter to be settled. Jack remains loyal to Joan, and the couple are married two years after the incident. Eager to start a family, the Smithfields are blessed with a healthy baby boy.
After welcoming Jonathon Smithfield into the world, Joan suffers from postpartum depression. Her quest to find purpose in the confines of her mundane life often comes at the expense of her child. Jack vows to be the father his son needs, but struggles to suppress a darkness that has haunted him since childhood. When his dark side begins to emerge, the once loving and devoted dad is replaced with a monster whose unveiling changes his family forever. As Jonathon’s world begins to unravel, he finds solace in the form of his grandfather, an unlikely hero determined to liberate a family of its demons.
In Very Bad Parents, the reader will become immersed in the lives of a seemingly picturesque family whose complex dynamic is explored through multiple points of view over a twelve-year period.
Jack Smithfield is devastated when his girlfriend confesses to having a back-alley abortion behind his back. Tormented by the loss of a baby he never knew existed, Jack is hell-bent on vengeance. After tracking down the man who performed the procedure, he exacts his revenge and considers the matter to be settled. Jack remains loyal to Joan, and the couple are married two years after the incident. Eager to start a family, the Smithfields are blessed with a healthy baby boy.
After welcoming Jonathon Smithfield into the world, Joan suffers from postpartum depression. Her quest to find purpose in the confines of her mundane life often comes at the expense of her child. Jack vows to be the father his son needs, but struggles to suppress a darkness that has haunted him since childhood. When his dark side begins to emerge, the once loving and devoted dad is replaced with a monster whose unveiling changes his family forever. As Jonathon’s world begins to unravel, he finds solace in the form of his grandfather, an unlikely hero determined to liberate a family of its demons.
In Very Bad Parents, the reader will become immersed in the lives of a seemingly picturesque family whose complex dynamic is explored through multiple points of view over a twelve-year period.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 3, 2025
In the book „Very Bad Parents: An Absurd Slice of Psychological Fiction Offering a Glimpse into the Twisted Lives of an All-American Family”, Amy Meitz orchestrates an intense spectacle of psychology, morality, and familial abyss, dismantling with precision the illusion of the “perfect American family.” The author explores generations of trauma, secrets, and unconscious repetitions that turn love into control, faith into fanaticism, and fragility into rage. With a style that oscillates between raw realism and absurd grotesque, Meitz manages to portray a world in which every tender gesture conceals an unspoken wound.
This book is not merely a story about “bad parents,” but rather a radiograph of emotional inheritance — the way guilt, shame, and fear are passed down like a domestic curse. Her characters, from teenagers trapped in dead ends to parents who confuse love with punishment, become distorted mirrors of an America obsessed with appearances and salvation. In this world, the church, the family, and the community are not sanctuaries, but fragile backdrops where absurdity becomes normality.
„Very Bad Parents” is a disturbing yet necessary literary experience — a descent into the subconscious of an American family that, beneath the mask of morality and faith, hides pain, guilt, and helplessness. Amy Meitz writes with an almost cinematic lucidity, alternating between compassion and sarcasm, between tragedy and grotesque, until the reader begins to wonder where madness ends and normality begins. It is the kind of book that offers no answers, but leaves you with questions that linger long after the final page — a brutal yet fascinating mirror of the human condition.
This book is not merely a story about “bad parents,” but rather a radiograph of emotional inheritance — the way guilt, shame, and fear are passed down like a domestic curse. Her characters, from teenagers trapped in dead ends to parents who confuse love with punishment, become distorted mirrors of an America obsessed with appearances and salvation. In this world, the church, the family, and the community are not sanctuaries, but fragile backdrops where absurdity becomes normality.
„Very Bad Parents” is a disturbing yet necessary literary experience — a descent into the subconscious of an American family that, beneath the mask of morality and faith, hides pain, guilt, and helplessness. Amy Meitz writes with an almost cinematic lucidity, alternating between compassion and sarcasm, between tragedy and grotesque, until the reader begins to wonder where madness ends and normality begins. It is the kind of book that offers no answers, but leaves you with questions that linger long after the final page — a brutal yet fascinating mirror of the human condition.
April 18, 2026
Reading this was a confusing/uneven experience for me. The first half felt sluggish and overly reliant on dialogue that was often clunky and insufficient to convey character dynamics. It left interactions feeling more confusing than intentionally ambiguous. The final fifty pages, however, were a gut-wrenching (and not just because I have IBS) portrayal of abuse and familial dysfunction that ultimately redeemed the whole book to 3.5 stars
January 3, 2026
Not just a story about 'bad parents' or parenting. After reading 'Crushing little Things' I was excited to find this work in my reading list. Meitz uses a mix of unapologetic humor and haunting imagery that explores trauma and human behavior in a strait forward and reflecting way that shows the the realities of relationships scared by emotional and physical trauma.
Jack Smithfield is the guy that the good girl should absolutely stay away from. After a secret back-street abortion goes sideways, both Joan and Jack have to deal with the ramifications of her actions, causing Jack to go into an angry rage no one could have seen coming. After this, the two still decide to marry and create their own family all the same, and proving that familial dysfunction can be the downfall of us all.
The author focuses on a lot of difficult and little discussed topics, including postpartum depression, toxic masculinity and the risks of finding a partner when you are too young. Joan is thrown into a marriage that she herself says she wants, only to find that the rose-colored glasses where just a little too pink.
While the work is haunting and will absolutely linger in the souls of those who have been through similar, Meitz makes a disturbingly real look at the flawed, and often messy world of relationships that few authors would even go near. This isn't a tale of love and loss, it is a tale of dealing with loss when love is all you are searching for. The relationship between Joan and Jack is much like any from the era, and looks at the reality of the rush at love that many teens did and still do fall into.
I absolutely recommend this work for older teens who may be dealing with complex issues, as well as those who put so much stock into finding a permanent partner at such a young age. I this work had found itself to me much sooner, it would have saved me a lot of heartbreak.
I would have liked to see a trigger warning at the beginning of this work, but the shock factor from the story is well worth diving in.
Warnings I wish I had seen beforehand, but lack of warning may have been necessary : Abortion, Trauma, Medical Trauma, Postpartum Depression
Jack Smithfield is the guy that the good girl should absolutely stay away from. After a secret back-street abortion goes sideways, both Joan and Jack have to deal with the ramifications of her actions, causing Jack to go into an angry rage no one could have seen coming. After this, the two still decide to marry and create their own family all the same, and proving that familial dysfunction can be the downfall of us all.
The author focuses on a lot of difficult and little discussed topics, including postpartum depression, toxic masculinity and the risks of finding a partner when you are too young. Joan is thrown into a marriage that she herself says she wants, only to find that the rose-colored glasses where just a little too pink.
While the work is haunting and will absolutely linger in the souls of those who have been through similar, Meitz makes a disturbingly real look at the flawed, and often messy world of relationships that few authors would even go near. This isn't a tale of love and loss, it is a tale of dealing with loss when love is all you are searching for. The relationship between Joan and Jack is much like any from the era, and looks at the reality of the rush at love that many teens did and still do fall into.
I absolutely recommend this work for older teens who may be dealing with complex issues, as well as those who put so much stock into finding a permanent partner at such a young age. I this work had found itself to me much sooner, it would have saved me a lot of heartbreak.
I would have liked to see a trigger warning at the beginning of this work, but the shock factor from the story is well worth diving in.
Warnings I wish I had seen beforehand, but lack of warning may have been necessary : Abortion, Trauma, Medical Trauma, Postpartum Depression
May 30, 2026
Very Bad Parents: An Absurd Slice of Psychological Fiction Offering a Glimpse into the Twisted Lives of an All-American Family by Amy Meitz is a dark and emotionally complex psychological novel that explores trauma, obsession, family dysfunction, and the lasting consequences of unresolved pain.
One of the novel’s most striking strengths is its willingness to examine the long-term psychological effects of trauma. Joan Andersen’s devastating experience as a teenager shapes much of the narrative’s emotional foundation, creating a character whose grief, guilt, and longing influence both her personal identity and family relationships for years to come.
The story also excels in its exploration of generational dysfunction. What initially appears to be a conventional family gradually reveals deeper emotional fractures, illustrating how unresolved wounds can shape behavior, parenting, and family dynamics across generations.
Another particularly compelling aspect is the complexity of the characters. Rather than presenting simple heroes and villains, the novel appears to examine individuals struggling with their own emotional burdens, weaknesses, and destructive impulses. This layered approach adds psychological depth and moral ambiguity to the narrative.
The use of multiple perspectives further enriches the story. By allowing readers to experience events through different viewpoints over an extended period, the novel provides a broader understanding of how personal choices and hidden struggles affect every member of the family.
Perhaps most significantly, the novel explores the contrast between outward appearances and internal reality. Beneath the surface of a seemingly ideal American family lies a world of pain, obsession, and emotional turmoil, creating a compelling portrait of how private suffering can shape public lives.
For readers who enjoy psychological fiction, literary family dramas, emotionally complex characters, and stories that explore the darker corners of human behavior, Very Bad Parents offers a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.
One of the novel’s most striking strengths is its willingness to examine the long-term psychological effects of trauma. Joan Andersen’s devastating experience as a teenager shapes much of the narrative’s emotional foundation, creating a character whose grief, guilt, and longing influence both her personal identity and family relationships for years to come.
The story also excels in its exploration of generational dysfunction. What initially appears to be a conventional family gradually reveals deeper emotional fractures, illustrating how unresolved wounds can shape behavior, parenting, and family dynamics across generations.
Another particularly compelling aspect is the complexity of the characters. Rather than presenting simple heroes and villains, the novel appears to examine individuals struggling with their own emotional burdens, weaknesses, and destructive impulses. This layered approach adds psychological depth and moral ambiguity to the narrative.
The use of multiple perspectives further enriches the story. By allowing readers to experience events through different viewpoints over an extended period, the novel provides a broader understanding of how personal choices and hidden struggles affect every member of the family.
Perhaps most significantly, the novel explores the contrast between outward appearances and internal reality. Beneath the surface of a seemingly ideal American family lies a world of pain, obsession, and emotional turmoil, creating a compelling portrait of how private suffering can shape public lives.
For readers who enjoy psychological fiction, literary family dramas, emotionally complex characters, and stories that explore the darker corners of human behavior, Very Bad Parents offers a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience.
November 8, 2025
PERFUL, UNFLINCHING, AND DEEPLY HUMAN
The title "Very Bad Parents" first caught my attention. I expected a dark comedy or biting satire, but what I found instead was something far more courageous and affecting. This novel takes an unflinching look at the hidden struggles that so many families and couples endure behind closed doors: trauma, addiction, unplanned pregnancy, guilt, and the impossible task of trying to love well when one is broken.
From the very first scene, the author draws us into Joan Andersen’s world with writing so vivid and honest, it’s sometimes hard to breathe while you're reading. The story moves from the 1960s into the 1970s, capturing the quiet desperation of suburban life with remarkable precision. The setting feels familiar to anyone over the age of 50 years, which makes the unfolding pain and resilience even more powerful. The cover art captures that perfectly: something suburban and understated, yet so ordinary it resonantes more than any cover image I have seen in a long time.
What struck me most is how real these characters feel. Joan, Jack, and their son Jonathon are flawed, complex, and heartbreakingly human. Their relationships are messy and raw, yet never caricatured. Even in its darkest moments, the novel finds space for compassion, survival, recovery, and the possibility of change.
"Very Bad Parents" is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. The prose is elegant and fearless, the emotional truth is undeniable. It’s a work of fiction that feels painfully, beautifully real, and stays with you long after you've finished reading it. Highly recommended, but not for highly sensitive or traumatized people.
The title "Very Bad Parents" first caught my attention. I expected a dark comedy or biting satire, but what I found instead was something far more courageous and affecting. This novel takes an unflinching look at the hidden struggles that so many families and couples endure behind closed doors: trauma, addiction, unplanned pregnancy, guilt, and the impossible task of trying to love well when one is broken.
From the very first scene, the author draws us into Joan Andersen’s world with writing so vivid and honest, it’s sometimes hard to breathe while you're reading. The story moves from the 1960s into the 1970s, capturing the quiet desperation of suburban life with remarkable precision. The setting feels familiar to anyone over the age of 50 years, which makes the unfolding pain and resilience even more powerful. The cover art captures that perfectly: something suburban and understated, yet so ordinary it resonantes more than any cover image I have seen in a long time.
What struck me most is how real these characters feel. Joan, Jack, and their son Jonathon are flawed, complex, and heartbreakingly human. Their relationships are messy and raw, yet never caricatured. Even in its darkest moments, the novel finds space for compassion, survival, recovery, and the possibility of change.
"Very Bad Parents" is not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. The prose is elegant and fearless, the emotional truth is undeniable. It’s a work of fiction that feels painfully, beautifully real, and stays with you long after you've finished reading it. Highly recommended, but not for highly sensitive or traumatized people.
April 1, 2026
Very Bad Parents is one of the most emotionally difficult books I’ve read, and yet I could not put it down. It is incredibly well written, deeply immersive, and at times absolutely heartbreaking.
What struck me most was how vividly the story portrays the impact of broken parenting on a child. Some of the scenes involving abuse were very hard to read, not because they were exaggerated, but because they felt so real. There were multiple moments where my heart just broke for the child, and I had to pause and process what I had just read.
The characters are complex and layered, especially Jack and Joanie. You see enough of their humanity to understand them, but also enough of their flaws to feel the weight of their choices. That tension is what makes the story so compelling. It never feels simplistic or one-dimensional.
I also appreciated how the story unfolds over time, showing how small decisions and unresolved issues slowly build into something much larger. It gives the book a sense of realism that makes the emotional impact even stronger.
Despite how heavy much of the story is, I was grateful for the way it ends. Without giving anything away, there is enough there to offer a sense of hope, which felt earned after everything that came before it.
This is not an easy read, but it is a powerful one. It confronts difficult realities while still reminding the reader that things do not have to stay broken forever. Five stars for a deeply moving and unforgettable story.
What struck me most was how vividly the story portrays the impact of broken parenting on a child. Some of the scenes involving abuse were very hard to read, not because they were exaggerated, but because they felt so real. There were multiple moments where my heart just broke for the child, and I had to pause and process what I had just read.
The characters are complex and layered, especially Jack and Joanie. You see enough of their humanity to understand them, but also enough of their flaws to feel the weight of their choices. That tension is what makes the story so compelling. It never feels simplistic or one-dimensional.
I also appreciated how the story unfolds over time, showing how small decisions and unresolved issues slowly build into something much larger. It gives the book a sense of realism that makes the emotional impact even stronger.
Despite how heavy much of the story is, I was grateful for the way it ends. Without giving anything away, there is enough there to offer a sense of hope, which felt earned after everything that came before it.
This is not an easy read, but it is a powerful one. It confronts difficult realities while still reminding the reader that things do not have to stay broken forever. Five stars for a deeply moving and unforgettable story.
November 9, 2025
I read “Crushing Little Things” by Amy Meitz earlier this year, and it quickly became one of my top gut-wrenching reads of 2025! So, when I found out there was a prequel for that book, I tripped running to Kindle as fast as I could – and I must say, my only disappointment was not reading this book earlier!
The extreme depth that were brought for the characters in the first book were multiplied in “Very Bad Parents,” taking readers on a journey through how an abusive household was formed in the small, rural town of East Elm while bring an intense look at nature v. nurture, the lasting psychological effects of an illegal abortion, small town religious views, and so much more.
Amy Meitz has once again shown such grace and care while writing about such delicate topics and pulling readers in from the very first page as we follow Jack and Joan. Reading this knowing the journey that Jonathan takes later in his life brought an eeriness, but a deeper connection with his character than I could have imagined possible thanks to Meitz and her stunning writing style. I cannot recommend this book more!! Hands down, 5/5
The extreme depth that were brought for the characters in the first book were multiplied in “Very Bad Parents,” taking readers on a journey through how an abusive household was formed in the small, rural town of East Elm while bring an intense look at nature v. nurture, the lasting psychological effects of an illegal abortion, small town religious views, and so much more.
Amy Meitz has once again shown such grace and care while writing about such delicate topics and pulling readers in from the very first page as we follow Jack and Joan. Reading this knowing the journey that Jonathan takes later in his life brought an eeriness, but a deeper connection with his character than I could have imagined possible thanks to Meitz and her stunning writing style. I cannot recommend this book more!! Hands down, 5/5
November 27, 2025
Hard but should be required reading!
I have never quite read a book like this! It broke my heart! Thank God for grandparents who step up and do the right thing. I pray for the little ones who think everything is there fault. Thank you Amy Meets for an amazing book and I pray you didn't have to live through any of this.
I have never quite read a book like this! It broke my heart! Thank God for grandparents who step up and do the right thing. I pray for the little ones who think everything is there fault. Thank you Amy Meets for an amazing book and I pray you didn't have to live through any of this.
February 15, 2026
A disturbing, but compelling story. I was hoping to read a longer ending actually. That Jonathan would get everything a child needed. But life isn’t always so neat and tidy. The story was torture for me, as I took care of children of hard working families for 10 yrs from my home. I adore children. This one was hard to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2026
Messed up
Wow... it's sad to realize that people actually live this way. The amount of abuse portrayed to such a young child by anyone, let alone a parent, is disturbing. I almost couldn't read those parts. Mental illness, poor parenting, addiction.... dangerous combination.
Wow... it's sad to realize that people actually live this way. The amount of abuse portrayed to such a young child by anyone, let alone a parent, is disturbing. I almost couldn't read those parts. Mental illness, poor parenting, addiction.... dangerous combination.
April 1, 2026
This was a tough one - definitely a psychological trigger for bad parenting and how hard it is to break a cycle. Drug abuse and just abuse in general are just excuses. Took me forever but I was gonna finish it no matter what and kept hoping it would get better!!
Did Not Finish
April 4, 2026I do believe we have different interpretations of the phrase, "absurd." I had hoped for the more "silly" definition, but unfortunately, this falls under the classification of "ridiculous" and not in the fun way.
I can take a lot in my horror books, but this felt a little too real.
I can take a lot in my horror books, but this felt a little too real.
April 12, 2026
I really liked this book! Yikes! 😱 A scary family! Great writing and characters!
April 14, 2026
Not sure what to say about this book.... I guess it shows how easily things can fall apart when the parents are more concerned about themselves than their kids.
April 27, 2026
Interesting
An interesting look into the nurture vs nature argument. Definitely a worthy read and a good first introduction to this author.
An interesting look into the nurture vs nature argument. Definitely a worthy read and a good first introduction to this author.
May 7, 2026
This was an easy read to move through — the writing is clear, sharp, and intentionally uncomplicated. You never find yourself having to reread or puzzle anything out. But what surprised me was how much it stuck with me afterward. The story opens up a window into the kind of family dynamics that most people don’t talk about out loud — the stories, patterns, and emotional echoes that get passed down without anyone acknowledging them. There were moments that felt familiar, even relatable. Alongside that, it also captures the messiness of young love, the strange and sometimes impulsive decisions we make throughout our lives when we’re figuring ourselves out, and the wild times with friends and family that end up shaping whole chapters of our lives. As someone quirky myself, what I appreciated most is how the book manages to show the complexity of people as individuals going through their lives. And then again later in the book, it explores both the complexity of a family that looks “normal” from the outside — the tension between image/truth, humor/damage, love/dysfunction, dreams/reality. It’s the kind of book that makes you reflect without forcing you to. I genuinely enjoyed it, and it lingered with me after I finished — because it says something real about the emotional inheritances we don’t always recognize we’re carrying.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews