***
ISBN 006222543X
I immediately downloaded this book into my Kindle because the Goodreads recommendations said something like “If you liked Gone Girl, you’re going to love this book.” I disagree.
New York attorney and busy single mother, Kate Baron always thought that she and her teenage daughter Amelia had the perfect relationship despite Kate’s busy life. However, one morning Kate is called to Amelia’s private school. Her daughter has jumped from the roof of the building and is dead.
Kate goes into a tailspin of regret and guilt for the secrets she kept from Amelia. She is convinced her daughter didn’t jump and is determined to find out what really happened.
The book is told from Kate’s present point of view with flashbacks to Amelia’s voice before her death. Through her investigation into her daughter’s apparent suicide, Kate realizes that she didn’t know her daughter at all.
The book explores mother-daughter relationships, parenting choices, as well as the American teenage high school experience. Amelia faces peer pressure, the desire to fit in, and sexual confusion, all explained pretty well by McCreight.
While a quick and interesting read, maybe I read this book too close to reading Middlesex, and thought that Eugenides did the young female angst and sexual confusion a lot better.
Go back to Reviews