A bit confusing at first. The premise of the book is a missive of some sort to her husband - almost a letter but no "Dear Fox" to start it. It is written after she has spent a winter night observing her former husband and his new family through a window as she sits outside in a car. It isn't very clear at first exactly who she is writing to, perhaps the of the little family enjoying an idyllic evening by the Christmas Tree? For this scene, picture a Hallmark greeting card.
The story that is revealed in the missive is about the parents, Blythe and Fox, and includes a little of their youth when they met and the birth of their daughter, who is central to the story. Blythe is an aspiring writer of short stories so this feels like an appropriate way for her to communicate but the stalking of the family is uncomfortable. Blythe is an observer of people, and often follows people to learn about them.
The next confusing part of the story is the interspersed story of Blythe's mother who abused her at times. We learn early on that Blythe's mother abandoned her and her father when Blythe was quite young. This story intersperses with the current story on an irregular basis and is identified by dates in the chapter heading. The author obviously wants to show how abuse can run through families by also periodically telling the story of Blythe's grandmother who also abused her only child, Blythe's mother. The story of these two women support Blythe's concern that she has no mother role model. Blythe has no faith in her ability to be a good mother but really has a desire to be the stereotypic good mother who gets satisfaction from lovingly raising her child.
Blythe and Fox name their daughter Violet. As Violet grows, and we follow her into her teenage years, Blythe feels that there is something mean-spirited in Violet but no one else sees this, certainly not the child's father, Fox, who dotes on his beautiful child and on being a father. Fox's mother, who visits on occasion and stays with Violet also does not see what Blythe does. Blythe is certain that Violet hates her from a very young age. Is it because Blythe is just not a good mother?
The book has plenty of tension. As you read through the very short chapters and begin to understand who Blythe is writing to when she says "you" and sort out whether the interludes are about her mother or her grandmother, the story goes quickly. I found the last sentence left me wanting to know more.
The story that is revealed in the missive is about the parents, Blythe and Fox, and includes a little of their youth when they met and the birth of their daughter, who is central to the story. Blythe is an aspiring writer of short stories so this feels like an appropriate way for her to communicate but the stalking of the family is uncomfortable. Blythe is an observer of people, and often follows people to learn about them.
The next confusing part of the story is the interspersed story of Blythe's mother who abused her at times. We learn early on that Blythe's mother abandoned her and her father when Blythe was quite young. This story intersperses with the current story on an irregular basis and is identified by dates in the chapter heading. The author obviously wants to show how abuse can run through families by also periodically telling the story of Blythe's grandmother who also abused her only child, Blythe's mother. The story of these two women support Blythe's concern that she has no mother role model. Blythe has no faith in her ability to be a good mother but really has a desire to be the stereotypic good mother who gets satisfaction from lovingly raising her child.
Blythe and Fox name their daughter Violet. As Violet grows, and we follow her into her teenage years, Blythe feels that there is something mean-spirited in Violet but no one else sees this, certainly not the child's father, Fox, who dotes on his beautiful child and on being a father. Fox's mother, who visits on occasion and stays with Violet also does not see what Blythe does. Blythe is certain that Violet hates her from a very young age. Is it because Blythe is just not a good mother?
The book has plenty of tension. As you read through the very short chapters and begin to understand who Blythe is writing to when she says "you" and sort out whether the interludes are about her mother or her grandmother, the story goes quickly. I found the last sentence left me wanting to know more.