I don't typically read historical fiction, but this one sounded intriguing. As I began to read the novel, I quickly realized that this novel was rooted in the Christian faith as well. I don't typically read religious books either, as that is just not my forte. These two aspects did have a bearing on my rating. I know that probably isn't "fair", but it did cause me to have to push through some parts of the novel.
*This ARC was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.*
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Authors: Maureen Doyle McQuerry
Publisher: Blink
Format/Source: Netgalley ARC
From GoodReads: Fourteen-year-old Molly worries about school, friends, and her parents’ failed marriage, but mostly about her mother’s growing depression. Molly knows her mother is nursing a carefully-kept secret. A writer with an obsession for other people’s life stories, Elaine Donnelly is the poster child of repressed emotions.
Molly spends her California summer alternately watching out for her little brother Angus and tip-toeing around her mother’s raw feelings. Molly needs her mother more than ever, but Elaine shuts herself off from real human connections and buries herself in the lives and deaths of the strangers she writes about. When Uncle Stephen is pressed into the limelight because of his miracle cure of a young man, Elaine can no longer hide behind other people’s stories. And as Molly digs into her mother’s past, she finds a secret hidden in her mother’s dresser that may be the key to unlocking a family mystery dating to 1918 New York—a secret that could destroy or save their future.
HERE'S WHAT I THINK...
" The carnage began with the roses.
She hacked at their ruffled blooms
until they dropped into monstrous drifts
of red on the parched yellow lawn"
As far as the story, and writing, go, I have very little to complain about. Several times I found myself losing track of time and space as I was absorbed into the story. More than once I was forced to stop and really think about the events that happened, each one taking a toll on me emotionally as if I was Molly or Elaine, living through it. This is the sign of a brilliant writer. On top of the beautiful prose, each chapter was a significant cliffhanger that kept me turning pages to find out what happened.
"Only two things kept my mother grounded to us:
my uncle Stephen and stories ."
The novel is told in a dual timeline and POV style. Molly's chapters are first person, while Elaine's are third. I really thought I would be distracted from the dual POV - especially with it changing between first person and third person, but I found that it worked well within the story. I have read novels previously that this style led to a jumbled mess of confusion. Between Before & After did not. It was fluid, beautiful, dark, and charming all at once.
Elaine's chapters were, for me, more captivating than Molly's chapters. Maybe it's my preference in setting and style or that Elaine's story was where the mystery lies -either way, it caused me to consume Elaine's chapters more vapidly each time. Molly's chapters just seemed dry at times for me.
The "miracle" also didn't really appeal to me - I've read that story line far too often - so that seemed to detract from Molly's search for answers about her mom for a bit of the story. Others who enjoy that type of story line would probably thoroughly enjoy that particular story line. Despite his story line though, I found that Uncle Stephen was one of my favorite characters in the book.
On the way out, Elaine pointed to the statue of Saint Stephen.
A long robe fell to his ankles and in one palm he held a pile of rocks. He looked too young to be a saint.
My favorite part of the entire work was the characters. The characters were believable and, honestly, extremely accurate. Molly, Elaine and Stephen were so real that I felt like I was sitting next to them at times. The flaws of normal human beings - instead of a heroine that is constantly perfect - really anchored the story and kept them well rounded. Elaine's descent into her depression was an accurate and painful thing to watch. Elaine's chapters really gave her a depth that we otherwise wouldn't have had. I really feel like this rounded her character and made her relatable. The secondary characters were just as palpable as the MCs were. I truly felt like I knew them, their ideals, and their thoughts - when explored through Elaine's chapters. The depth of these characters is again, a testament to the author's abilities.
"That's who Mama named you after."
No sense in telling Stephen
his namesake had been stoned to death.
The novel covered some pretty intense topics, things that I didn't expect popped up several times - sending the story in different directions.
I was enthralled by the perseverance of the characters, and the process that McQuerry used to allow the conflicts to come to a close organically. Many times resolutions feel forced and not completely rounded. This was not the case for the ending of this story. There were of course small plot holes and things that didn't line up quite right, but overall - I found the ending to be a fitting ending for the story and the characters.
Stephen considered the statue.
"Lainey, I'd rather he wasn't wearing a dress."
TL;DR
This book is a must read for someone who enjoys books about family drama, struggles of faith and historical fiction. While it was not something I would typically read, the story and characters kept me engaged. The author handled very heavy and sensitive subjects in a manner that was beautifully written and heartbreakingly honest. I would like to leave a trigger warning of Abortion, Depression and Violence (child abuse). While they are handled well, they are still present in the novel.
About the Author: Maureen McQuerry is an award winning poet, novelist and teacher. Her YA novel, The Peculiars (Abrams/Amulet 2012) is an ALA Best Book for Young Adult Readers 2013, Bank Street and Horne Book recommended book, and a winner of the Westchester Award. Her most recent book is Beyond the Door (Abrams/Amulet), a Booklist top Ten Fantasy/SciFi for Youth. It is the first in a MG duo that combines, Celtic myth, shapeshifters and a secret code in a coming of age story. The adventure continues in The Telling Stone. Beyond the Door is a current finalist for the WA State Book awards.
*This ARC was provided to me in exchange for my honest review.*
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