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The Enumerations
Meet Noah, who
- can’t open a door unless he pushes on the handle 5 times,
- must count to 5 under his breath, and sometimes louder than that, and
- keeps 5 pebbles in his pocket to run through his fingers.
And that’s just the start of the 5s. Not to mention the ever-encroaching Dark that allows him no rest.
A violent incident at 17-year-old Noah Groome’s school sets into motion a chain of events that will test him and his family deeply.
There’s Kate, Noah’s mother, who has been bearing the brunt of his condition; Dominic, Noah’s successful father, who is withdrawing more and more each day; and Noah’s sister Maddie, his ally and protector, deeply affected by her brother’s struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
When Noah is sent to a treatment centre, he is not the only one challenged to face his anxieties: his family must also confront the secrets lurking beneath their seemingly perfect veneer.
But redemption lies in surprising places, as Noah’s unlikely friendship with “Notorious Juliet Ryan”, a fellow resident whose behaviour precedes her, will attest.
In The Enumerations, Máire Fisher scrupulously explores the effects of mental conditions on the family. She shows the great power of those who hold us as we learn to harness the strength within us.
- can’t open a door unless he pushes on the handle 5 times,
- must count to 5 under his breath, and sometimes louder than that, and
- keeps 5 pebbles in his pocket to run through his fingers.
And that’s just the start of the 5s. Not to mention the ever-encroaching Dark that allows him no rest.
A violent incident at 17-year-old Noah Groome’s school sets into motion a chain of events that will test him and his family deeply.
There’s Kate, Noah’s mother, who has been bearing the brunt of his condition; Dominic, Noah’s successful father, who is withdrawing more and more each day; and Noah’s sister Maddie, his ally and protector, deeply affected by her brother’s struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
When Noah is sent to a treatment centre, he is not the only one challenged to face his anxieties: his family must also confront the secrets lurking beneath their seemingly perfect veneer.
But redemption lies in surprising places, as Noah’s unlikely friendship with “Notorious Juliet Ryan”, a fellow resident whose behaviour precedes her, will attest.
In The Enumerations, Máire Fisher scrupulously explores the effects of mental conditions on the family. She shows the great power of those who hold us as we learn to harness the strength within us.
361 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
15 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 12, 2018
All families have secrets
The number five plays a significant role in young Noah Groome’s life. He needs to push a door handle five times, keep five pebbles in his pocket and count to five under his breath in stressful situations. And then there’s the ever-present Dark, which feeds on his fears and reminds him to hold onto them. Many of us will recognise this unwelcome voice.
When Noah reacts to the school bully, the consequences change his life forever. Noah’s sensitive mother, Kate, his successful father, Dominic, and Maddie, his beloved little sister, are all embroiled in his life and his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Each member of the family has their own way of coping and the dynamics shift as the story progresses.
At Greenhills, Noah is befriended by Juliet Ryan, a young woman facing very different challenges. Their unlikely and non-judgmental friendship benefits both of them in ways we can learn from. The beauty of their relationship made me reach for my box of tissues more often than I’d like to admit. All families have secrets, and Noah’s is no exception. Unravelling these mysteries is crucial for Noah’s healing. Unbeknown to the family, it holds the key to all their unresolved hurts.
Máire Fisher explores the effects of OCD on a family, with sensitivity and great skill. Her research is impeccable. It shines through to make this story entirely credible and compelling. Family members and close friends hold the space for others to heal, even when they are unaware of the gifts they possess. Fisher’s characters are deeply imagined. They spring off the page to remind us of the power of precious relationships in our lives, particularly within our families.
As the festive season approaches, The Enumerations could be one of the gifts under your tree. And as the holidays drift by, I hope it is passed around to all the members of your close circle. A copy or two will definitely be in my pile. I think the story will resonate with everyone who reads it!
Bravo Máire Fisher!
Gail
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
The number five plays a significant role in young Noah Groome’s life. He needs to push a door handle five times, keep five pebbles in his pocket and count to five under his breath in stressful situations. And then there’s the ever-present Dark, which feeds on his fears and reminds him to hold onto them. Many of us will recognise this unwelcome voice.
When Noah reacts to the school bully, the consequences change his life forever. Noah’s sensitive mother, Kate, his successful father, Dominic, and Maddie, his beloved little sister, are all embroiled in his life and his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Each member of the family has their own way of coping and the dynamics shift as the story progresses.
At Greenhills, Noah is befriended by Juliet Ryan, a young woman facing very different challenges. Their unlikely and non-judgmental friendship benefits both of them in ways we can learn from. The beauty of their relationship made me reach for my box of tissues more often than I’d like to admit. All families have secrets, and Noah’s is no exception. Unravelling these mysteries is crucial for Noah’s healing. Unbeknown to the family, it holds the key to all their unresolved hurts.
Máire Fisher explores the effects of OCD on a family, with sensitivity and great skill. Her research is impeccable. It shines through to make this story entirely credible and compelling. Family members and close friends hold the space for others to heal, even when they are unaware of the gifts they possess. Fisher’s characters are deeply imagined. They spring off the page to remind us of the power of precious relationships in our lives, particularly within our families.
As the festive season approaches, The Enumerations could be one of the gifts under your tree. And as the holidays drift by, I hope it is passed around to all the members of your close circle. A copy or two will definitely be in my pile. I think the story will resonate with everyone who reads it!
Bravo Máire Fisher!
Gail
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
October 15, 2018
I was captured by the cover of this book, and was so excited to see it was a local author, loved the whole story end to end and I appreciated the intensity of the effects a home invasion has on a family and people and the longing for safety especially in South Africa, I fell in love with Noah, he is a sweet strong and compassionate boy. Highly recommend this book
September 3, 2018
#ReadSA
Absorbing, fast-moving, tender and a terrific tale; that’s a micro-review of Capetonian author Máire Fisher’s new book, The Enumerations.
It’s about 17-year-old Noah Groome who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which manifests itself in obsessive counting (hence the title), organising, timing and tapping out five when things become uber-stressful. It’s also about his family, who not only grapple to live with Noah’s illness, but also have their own secrets, doubts, difficulties and guilt to deal with.
After an incident at school, Noah is admitted to Greenhills (he believes it should be two words, Green and Hills, because they are each made up of five letters), which “supports young people with a range of issues using appropriate techniques in a safe and caring environment”. Placed in the care of Ellen Turner and Bulelane Mabatle (Mr Bill), thus begins Noah’s treatment and the slow start of new friendships, the most notable one with alleged nymphomaniac, Juliet Ryan.
In 238 short, punchy chapters, Fisher deftly conveys the inner machinations of Noah’s head and his battle to recover. But, while this means describing his fears and some of his painstaking processes in detail – "Noah places a plate on his tray and slides 2 circles of ham off a platter, uses the salad servers to take 2 leaves of lettuce, 5 baby tomatoes. Next he helps himself to some coleslaw and a wedge of cheese. Finally, a ¼ slice of watermelon" – the plot moves swiftly. We get to know his mother Kate, whose guilt and worry about her son weigh heavily on her mind. Noah’s younger sister, the deeply protective Maddie, is determined not to add to her parents’ concerns and, while she misses her brother, is also, at times, grateful not to have him around to watch out for at school. (Maddie reminded me of Bird from Fisher’s previous novel, Birdseye.) Then there’s Noah’s distant (or is he deceiving) father, Dominic…what’s he up to when Kate and Maddie visit Noah?
Woven into Noah and his family’s story is that of young Gabriel Felix, whose difficult life deteriorates further when he’s separated from his mother and sister. But who is Gabriel and why do we care about him?
Fisher achieves several things in The Enumerations. Her telling of OCD is sensitive and hugely informative. It evokes understanding and empathy. Her characters are fascinating and real. Just when I thought Dominic was a selfish dolt, I was reminded of the multiplicity of man (and woman). Gabriel’s story adds a tantalising element of mystery. And, while the subject matter is serious, it’s not a heavy, mawkish read and, particularly as Noah edges towards recovery, there are flashes of humour. Mostly though, The Enumerations is an enthralling, unusual story that had my attention and my concern for its characters from beginning to end. Good luck Noah! And well done, Juliet and Maddie.
Absorbing, fast-moving, tender and a terrific tale; that’s a micro-review of Capetonian author Máire Fisher’s new book, The Enumerations.
It’s about 17-year-old Noah Groome who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which manifests itself in obsessive counting (hence the title), organising, timing and tapping out five when things become uber-stressful. It’s also about his family, who not only grapple to live with Noah’s illness, but also have their own secrets, doubts, difficulties and guilt to deal with.
After an incident at school, Noah is admitted to Greenhills (he believes it should be two words, Green and Hills, because they are each made up of five letters), which “supports young people with a range of issues using appropriate techniques in a safe and caring environment”. Placed in the care of Ellen Turner and Bulelane Mabatle (Mr Bill), thus begins Noah’s treatment and the slow start of new friendships, the most notable one with alleged nymphomaniac, Juliet Ryan.
In 238 short, punchy chapters, Fisher deftly conveys the inner machinations of Noah’s head and his battle to recover. But, while this means describing his fears and some of his painstaking processes in detail – "Noah places a plate on his tray and slides 2 circles of ham off a platter, uses the salad servers to take 2 leaves of lettuce, 5 baby tomatoes. Next he helps himself to some coleslaw and a wedge of cheese. Finally, a ¼ slice of watermelon" – the plot moves swiftly. We get to know his mother Kate, whose guilt and worry about her son weigh heavily on her mind. Noah’s younger sister, the deeply protective Maddie, is determined not to add to her parents’ concerns and, while she misses her brother, is also, at times, grateful not to have him around to watch out for at school. (Maddie reminded me of Bird from Fisher’s previous novel, Birdseye.) Then there’s Noah’s distant (or is he deceiving) father, Dominic…what’s he up to when Kate and Maddie visit Noah?
Woven into Noah and his family’s story is that of young Gabriel Felix, whose difficult life deteriorates further when he’s separated from his mother and sister. But who is Gabriel and why do we care about him?
Fisher achieves several things in The Enumerations. Her telling of OCD is sensitive and hugely informative. It evokes understanding and empathy. Her characters are fascinating and real. Just when I thought Dominic was a selfish dolt, I was reminded of the multiplicity of man (and woman). Gabriel’s story adds a tantalising element of mystery. And, while the subject matter is serious, it’s not a heavy, mawkish read and, particularly as Noah edges towards recovery, there are flashes of humour. Mostly though, The Enumerations is an enthralling, unusual story that had my attention and my concern for its characters from beginning to end. Good luck Noah! And well done, Juliet and Maddie.
February 16, 2019
It took me nearly three times longer than usual for a book this length to read Máire Fisher's, The Enumerations. This wasn't due to the quality of the writing or lack of interest but because I needed to put the book down frequently to reflect on what I had just read.
Marie's book is a sensitive and compassionate exploration of an adolescent boy, Noah Groome, who has a crippling case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Noah's OCD is manifested by his certainty that the only thing keeping himself and his family safe are the 5s. He also needs absolute order including a minute-by-minute schedule of his day including details such as allocating to the second low long to brush his teeth. Doing things in 5s and finding patterns of 5s is Noah's shield against the Dark. The Dark becomes another character in the story. The author shows how unimaginably tough this level of OCD is on the person and on the people around them. As I read, two threads kept running through my head: what if it were me; and what if it was someone in my family, how would I respond to them, would I be patient and understanding, or would I be impatient and push them away.
Noah has an encounter with the school bully that turns violent. The parents of the bully see their son as the victim and demand that something be done about the "danger" posed by Noah. Noah is the real victim but is incapable of defending himself. To get Noah out of this hostile environment, he is sent to a residential treatment centre, Greenhills.
Noah's treatment plan at Greenhills is interesting and a combination of group, personal counseling, setting goals, journaling. Juliet, a member of Noah's group therapy session takes a particular interest in Noah, taking him under her tutelage and coaching how to appear to do what is asked of him. Nonetheless, we do see little changes in Noah's behavior. Juliet is the opposite of Noah, talking continuously while Noah says and reveals little.
We meet other adolescents at the treatment which contribute to our understanding of the the issues that these young people are facing. Juliet is the only one we get to know well but I wanted to know more about other members of Noah's group therapy session who have interesting back stories.
Writing a book like The Enumerations must require a delicate balance. The author isn't just making up a story but is building that story on something very real. The need to write a compelling story has to be balanced against the need for accuracy in the subject matter and respect for people suffering from the condition and their families. The story rings true and Máire is able to show us the working of a treatment centre for troubled adolescents within a story of people you come to like and perhaps related to.
I got an interesting insight into an author's creative process when I corresponded with her and she responded:
"I didn’t deliberately set out to write about OCD, but once the subject presented itself, and once I ventured inside Noah’s head to see what it might be like to be him (or get as close to knowing as I could), I knew the onus was on me to research him as deeply as I could. That in itself was a mountain to climb, needing several stops along the way."
One thing the author does not do is treat Noah's condition as something humorous like we saw in the TV show, Monk. Máire, as much as is possible, helped me see the world through Noah's eyes.
The story switches between Noah trying to adapt to his treatment program and his parents and sister trying to cope. The mother is falling apart; the father remote, disengaged, and incapable of even looking his son in the eye; and the little sister who fiercely defends Noah and is actually the strongest member of the family. There is also a plot-line threading through the narratives of Noah and his family that I can't go into without spoiling but it actually pulls everything together in the end.
I had to think about how Máire ends The Enumerations and several ways to approach the ending went through my mind. First, and this is due to my immediate reaction, is that the author was going for an intense emotional reaction from the reader. While the ending does evoke an emotional response there is more to it than that. She doesn't wrap the story up into a neat package which would be dishonest to what we've seen. We do see the potential for hope and change but we still know that the characters have a long way to go and serious mental and emotional barriers to get past. There isn't going to be a group hug that sets everything right. I also thought that there is a strong young adult story type of ending. I don't want to say why because it would be a spoiler. Using the term young adult isn't meant to be pejorative, by the way, it's just that I saw some YA elements there. The author confirmed that she "reverted to a fairly classic young adult ending." Actually there is another YA flavored scene that I really enjoyed.
This is one of my favorite reads so far this year and likely will remain high on my list. The Enumerations has fascinating and compelling story with characters you come to care about and episodes that may leave you righteously angry. I don't think it possible not to empathize with the people in the story. It is set in South Africa but other than a few small references you probably won't notice. Highly recommended.
Marie's book is a sensitive and compassionate exploration of an adolescent boy, Noah Groome, who has a crippling case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Noah's OCD is manifested by his certainty that the only thing keeping himself and his family safe are the 5s. He also needs absolute order including a minute-by-minute schedule of his day including details such as allocating to the second low long to brush his teeth. Doing things in 5s and finding patterns of 5s is Noah's shield against the Dark. The Dark becomes another character in the story. The author shows how unimaginably tough this level of OCD is on the person and on the people around them. As I read, two threads kept running through my head: what if it were me; and what if it was someone in my family, how would I respond to them, would I be patient and understanding, or would I be impatient and push them away.
Noah has an encounter with the school bully that turns violent. The parents of the bully see their son as the victim and demand that something be done about the "danger" posed by Noah. Noah is the real victim but is incapable of defending himself. To get Noah out of this hostile environment, he is sent to a residential treatment centre, Greenhills.
Noah's treatment plan at Greenhills is interesting and a combination of group, personal counseling, setting goals, journaling. Juliet, a member of Noah's group therapy session takes a particular interest in Noah, taking him under her tutelage and coaching how to appear to do what is asked of him. Nonetheless, we do see little changes in Noah's behavior. Juliet is the opposite of Noah, talking continuously while Noah says and reveals little.
We meet other adolescents at the treatment which contribute to our understanding of the the issues that these young people are facing. Juliet is the only one we get to know well but I wanted to know more about other members of Noah's group therapy session who have interesting back stories.
Writing a book like The Enumerations must require a delicate balance. The author isn't just making up a story but is building that story on something very real. The need to write a compelling story has to be balanced against the need for accuracy in the subject matter and respect for people suffering from the condition and their families. The story rings true and Máire is able to show us the working of a treatment centre for troubled adolescents within a story of people you come to like and perhaps related to.
I got an interesting insight into an author's creative process when I corresponded with her and she responded:
"I didn’t deliberately set out to write about OCD, but once the subject presented itself, and once I ventured inside Noah’s head to see what it might be like to be him (or get as close to knowing as I could), I knew the onus was on me to research him as deeply as I could. That in itself was a mountain to climb, needing several stops along the way."
One thing the author does not do is treat Noah's condition as something humorous like we saw in the TV show, Monk. Máire, as much as is possible, helped me see the world through Noah's eyes.
The story switches between Noah trying to adapt to his treatment program and his parents and sister trying to cope. The mother is falling apart; the father remote, disengaged, and incapable of even looking his son in the eye; and the little sister who fiercely defends Noah and is actually the strongest member of the family. There is also a plot-line threading through the narratives of Noah and his family that I can't go into without spoiling but it actually pulls everything together in the end.
I had to think about how Máire ends The Enumerations and several ways to approach the ending went through my mind. First, and this is due to my immediate reaction, is that the author was going for an intense emotional reaction from the reader. While the ending does evoke an emotional response there is more to it than that. She doesn't wrap the story up into a neat package which would be dishonest to what we've seen. We do see the potential for hope and change but we still know that the characters have a long way to go and serious mental and emotional barriers to get past. There isn't going to be a group hug that sets everything right. I also thought that there is a strong young adult story type of ending. I don't want to say why because it would be a spoiler. Using the term young adult isn't meant to be pejorative, by the way, it's just that I saw some YA elements there. The author confirmed that she "reverted to a fairly classic young adult ending." Actually there is another YA flavored scene that I really enjoyed.
This is one of my favorite reads so far this year and likely will remain high on my list. The Enumerations has fascinating and compelling story with characters you come to care about and episodes that may leave you righteously angry. I don't think it possible not to empathize with the people in the story. It is set in South Africa but other than a few small references you probably won't notice. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2019
Its only appropriate to give five stars to this book where the number features so prominently. I cannot think of enough good things to say about this wonderful novel but I'm scared of spoilers. I will say it reads like a well paced thriller with heart.
February 23, 2019
Máire Fisher's book, "the Enumerations", is not only an excellently and detailed description of the suffering of those with OCD, it is also a very good read in general. Mental health issues are stigmatized, often taboo. This book brings insight, awareness and understanding of battles many face.
The portrayal of the OCD affliction, how it controls, and ultimately needs to be controlled, is exactly as I came to know it, as the father of Hannah (whose experience influenced Noah's character, and has unwittingly, ultimately been precisely depicted by Máire). We, Colleen and I and other family members and friends, spent hours sitting with her, trying to council her, sometimes physically holding her hand to stop slamming the tap, open-closed-open-closed (which caused a water-hammer noise through the whole house, making it inescapable for anyone, at all hours of the day), or pushing her through a door frame, or steering her past a drain cover, rationalizing with her on the absurdity of the monster in her head (which, luckily, with her willingness to clutch at straws, helped her fight it back, tell it how silly it was), that it was not her responsibility to have to keep us, or the world, safe by appeasing the monster, and ultimately accepting that she needed to go into the residential clinic. There, we were lucky that, with the support of her group, her therapy managed to teach her the tools to recognize and confront (after traumatic immersion sessions) the monster and put it back in its box (it is always there, we all have them, just most of us manage to control it without having to experience it so intensely).
We are just so deeply grateful that Hannah came through it so that she can lead a full normal life. Her monsters are still there, sometimes trying to make an escape, but she has learnt how to beat them! Noah's story will give courage and insight to others battling similar issues.
I sincerely recommend reading this book to anyone, not only those that have contact or knowledge with OCD, but also as an interesting, sometimes humorous (Juliet is great!), emotional story. To those without exposure to OCD, some passages may seem long, repetitive, labouring, but that is part of OCD, it just is.
This would make a great film !
The portrayal of the OCD affliction, how it controls, and ultimately needs to be controlled, is exactly as I came to know it, as the father of Hannah (whose experience influenced Noah's character, and has unwittingly, ultimately been precisely depicted by Máire). We, Colleen and I and other family members and friends, spent hours sitting with her, trying to council her, sometimes physically holding her hand to stop slamming the tap, open-closed-open-closed (which caused a water-hammer noise through the whole house, making it inescapable for anyone, at all hours of the day), or pushing her through a door frame, or steering her past a drain cover, rationalizing with her on the absurdity of the monster in her head (which, luckily, with her willingness to clutch at straws, helped her fight it back, tell it how silly it was), that it was not her responsibility to have to keep us, or the world, safe by appeasing the monster, and ultimately accepting that she needed to go into the residential clinic. There, we were lucky that, with the support of her group, her therapy managed to teach her the tools to recognize and confront (after traumatic immersion sessions) the monster and put it back in its box (it is always there, we all have them, just most of us manage to control it without having to experience it so intensely).
We are just so deeply grateful that Hannah came through it so that she can lead a full normal life. Her monsters are still there, sometimes trying to make an escape, but she has learnt how to beat them! Noah's story will give courage and insight to others battling similar issues.
I sincerely recommend reading this book to anyone, not only those that have contact or knowledge with OCD, but also as an interesting, sometimes humorous (Juliet is great!), emotional story. To those without exposure to OCD, some passages may seem long, repetitive, labouring, but that is part of OCD, it just is.
This would make a great film !
August 17, 2018
In The Enumerations Maire Fisher tells the story of Noah who has OCD. Noah started counting 5s when he was 5 years old - we only learn the reason later in the book. When he is a teenager his OCD has become debiltating, and disruptive to his family. There is an incident at school and Noah goes to a treatment centre. There is a small part of Noah in all of us, we drink out of favourite mugs, we travel the same route to work, we have the same coffee order, we do things in a certain way, we like things done in a certain way - it is all about control and making sense of the world; Noah's OCD is just an extreme version of this. Although Noah's condition is overwhelming Fisher successfully rides a very delicate balance between showing us Noah's internal world and telling the story of his family and the other residents in the treatment centre. There are family secrets, friends and very kind people (as well as nasty ones), and progress in treatment. I came away from the story with a sense of contentment, Fisher is a wonderful writer and storyteller, but like all good stories there is no final closure - Noah still has the rest of his life to live doesn't he!
May 26, 2019
An insightful and sensitive novel set largely in a Cape Town based mental health facility for teenagers. Marie Fisher has created a compelling tale of a young man’s search for identity and control in a life impacted by bullying, crime and the pressures of life generally. Yet this is not a depressing read as the characters are positive and sympathetic. It is an uplifting and valuable read in a time where family and children’s mental health issues are part of most of our lives.
September 26, 2018
This is a book of intriguing characters, shaped by history and the individual wiring of thought, that tells a story of a family in all its complexities. Maire Fisher's writing is at once easy and so incredibly descriptive, with turns of phrase that I wanted to highlight and return to. I loved it!
April 15, 2019
The book covers three subjects, in great depth: the first is Noah, a 17-year-old boy who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The second explains how each of Noah's family members and friends is affected - and copes - with his disorder. The third subject details a meticulously-researched, detailed, day-to-day explanation of life as an OCD sufferer, about which I knew little.
Maire Fisher is skilful at bringing her characters to life. Her writing is careful, her word-choices considered. Overall, I found the story interesting and enjoyable.
Maire Fisher is skilful at bringing her characters to life. Her writing is careful, her word-choices considered. Overall, I found the story interesting and enjoyable.
April 11, 2019
Noah is 17 jaar oud. Hy kan nie ‘n deur oopmaak sonder om eers die handvatsel 5 keer af te druk nie; hy tel deurentyd tot 5, soms hardop, hou 5 klippies in sy sak..... En dis net die begin van sy rituele; sou hy dit nie nakom nie, is die immer-dreigende duisternis daar om hom totaal te verswelg. Want dis hoe ‘n obsessief kompulsiewe stoornis werk.
Kate, sy ma, wou hom nog altyd net beskerm. Dominc, sy pa, het geen idee hoe om sy seun te hanteer nie en Maddie, sy jonger suster, probeer die volmaakte kind wees in ‘n desperate poging om die gesin heel te hou.
Dan vind ‘n voorval plaas wat Kate geen keuse laat anders as om Noah na ‘n behandelingsentrum te stuur nie. En dit affekteer almal - nie net vir Noah nie.
Die skryfster slaag daarin om Noah se desperaatheid en angstigheid suksesvol aan die leser oor te dra en die effek van Noah se siekte op sy gesin word treffend uitgebeeld.
Die titel is baie gepas (ek moes Google inspan !): to enumerate is to establish the number of, to calculate, to compute, to count.....
Mens wil Noah soms skud, soms net vashou en soms namens hom huil. Dis ‘n uitstekende boek om insig in hierdie toestand te verkry en een wat ek nie maklik sal vergeet nie.
Kate, sy ma, wou hom nog altyd net beskerm. Dominc, sy pa, het geen idee hoe om sy seun te hanteer nie en Maddie, sy jonger suster, probeer die volmaakte kind wees in ‘n desperate poging om die gesin heel te hou.
Dan vind ‘n voorval plaas wat Kate geen keuse laat anders as om Noah na ‘n behandelingsentrum te stuur nie. En dit affekteer almal - nie net vir Noah nie.
Die skryfster slaag daarin om Noah se desperaatheid en angstigheid suksesvol aan die leser oor te dra en die effek van Noah se siekte op sy gesin word treffend uitgebeeld.
Die titel is baie gepas (ek moes Google inspan !): to enumerate is to establish the number of, to calculate, to compute, to count.....
Mens wil Noah soms skud, soms net vashou en soms namens hom huil. Dis ‘n uitstekende boek om insig in hierdie toestand te verkry en een wat ek nie maklik sal vergeet nie.
September 7, 2019
Noah Groome has OCD. Bullied at school, one day he lashes out and breaks the wrist of the boy who was taunting him. The school insists that his parents send him to a treatment centre where he can try to master his condition.
Told from multiple viewpoints, Enumerations is a fabulous story, with edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, revelations about past and present, and lovely characters who will restore your faith in literary humanity.
Told from multiple viewpoints, Enumerations is a fabulous story, with edge-of-your-seat twists and turns, revelations about past and present, and lovely characters who will restore your faith in literary humanity.
February 19, 2019
Enjoyed reading this book and found it exciting, while learning so much more about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Fear is the determining factor/ common denominator for people with OCD. (I won't be dishing out OCD label flippantly after reading this book.)
This book is not to be skimmed as little snippets, important to the story, are randomly dropped. For instance, during the son's course of treatment, something startling is revealed about his father.
Recommend book.
Fear is the determining factor/ common denominator for people with OCD. (I won't be dishing out OCD label flippantly after reading this book.)
This book is not to be skimmed as little snippets, important to the story, are randomly dropped. For instance, during the son's course of treatment, something startling is revealed about his father.
Recommend book.
April 9, 2019
Interesting subject interwoven with fathers life - page turner.
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April 30, 2019Review on behalf of the Sunday Times: https://bit.ly/2FQPWYa
~I hear voices, so many voices, but not one of them is right.~
~Circles don't work in difficult situations. You need sides.~
~Kate hears the words from across the room, and her buttocks clench. It's hard enough coming to these evenings, doing the obligatory-smile-and-ask-polite-questions to people who seldom bother to ask you anything in return.~
~A man's home is his castle, but what happens when the defences are breached, when invaders swim the moat and let down the drawbridge?~
~He'll never dream blue again.~
~Do you think Fear will leave too? It will still be out there. In the shadows, where your nightmares wander.~
~Cameras are magic...They keep secrets. They make things different to how they really are.~
~I hear voices, so many voices, but not one of them is right.~
~Circles don't work in difficult situations. You need sides.~
~Kate hears the words from across the room, and her buttocks clench. It's hard enough coming to these evenings, doing the obligatory-smile-and-ask-polite-questions to people who seldom bother to ask you anything in return.~
~A man's home is his castle, but what happens when the defences are breached, when invaders swim the moat and let down the drawbridge?~
~He'll never dream blue again.~
~Do you think Fear will leave too? It will still be out there. In the shadows, where your nightmares wander.~
~Cameras are magic...They keep secrets. They make things different to how they really are.~
December 8, 2019
A story about how a family tries to cope with a child suffering from OCD and how finding a therapist you can connect with is so important.
November 9, 2018
An immensely satisfying read, deftly told. In Noah, Fisher has created a main character who is easy to care about: a gentle and brave young man learning to live with his diagnosis of OCD. This is also the story of a family under duress, the often less than pretty reality that lies behind the facade of middle class suburbia and the danger of keeping secrets. I particularly liked the way Fisher writes about the group of young people who surround Noah, without condescension but with lots of compassion. The writing throughout is original, swift-moving and glints with gentle humour.
November 24, 2018
I really loved this book. Brilliant cast of characters who were so very real to me. I honestly kept forgetting it was based in South Africa until something local was mentioned. My heart ached for little Gabriel and then Noah too. And his mom. In fact, almost each one of their issues or dilemmas resonated with something in my life. Definitely going to look out for her first book, Birdseye, now.
January 16, 2019
Story about a 17-year-old boy with OCD, a father who preferred to forget his past and the effects of mental conditions on the family. I found the book gripping and really enjoyed reading it.
January 27, 2019
Very simplistic writing
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