Wirral Libraries Bookbuzz discussion

This is a story of loss, grief, guilt, and nature. Every mother’s nightmare, to leave your child for a short time and find that they have been taken, and all of the repercussions and lives affected by a momentary distraction.

Told as two stories, Ellis, whose child is abducted, giving up her remaining family and life to find redemption in nature, and Raven, brought up in the woods by a reclusive mother with mental health issues. Both of them finding solace in the world around them, Raven’s life strangely mimicking Ellis’ early life with an alcoholic mother.

I did find the meeting of Raven with her family, many years later unconvincing and the finale, that was supposed to be heartwarming, I found very contrived and disappointing given the promise of the earlier chapters.

I also got annoyed with the families casual reaction to Viola/Raven’s return, especially Ellis, who seemed to view her as an annoyance in her new found life. I was also a bit, “Really?” about the big happy family conclusion. Other little things didn’t sit right either. How many wives wouldn’t pass some blame on to a husband whose affair led to her distraction?

Apart from this, it was a pleasant read, some lovely descriptive passages and interesting characters. The theme of nurture versus nature was well handled. I would have liked for some of the back stories of other characters, particularly Reece and Jonah to have not played such a big part of the story, showcasing more of Ellis and Raven’s tale. At the same time I would have liked to hear more of Max’s story. She was a very interesting character on the periphery of the action.

I think the themes of nature, spirituality and religion redeemed this book. I had hoped to be immersed in a fairy tale, but that was just my wrong assumption given the blurb, but overall a nice easy going, interesting read.