American ex-pat Twyla is ready to be the perfect mother. She never dreamed her first child would be anything other than perfect himself, but when he's born blind she is forced to re-evaluate her view of the world.
| Blind by Cath Weeks | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Zoe Morris
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| Summary: A whatever it takes kind of story, this's a delectable debut novel that will get everyone talking | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 336 | Date: January 2017 |
| Publisher: Piatkus | |
| ISBN: 978-0349410630 | |
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This is an intricate story centred around a mother's love and desire to do whatever it takes for her child. For Twyla that means fighting those who tell her Charlie's blindness is sad but permanent, a genetic fact, God's will. When a tantalising way to save her son's future is dangled in front of her, she must decide what risks are worth taking, the lengths it is worth going to, and the degree to which her singlemindedness trumps the needs and wants of the whole family.
Many books these days have formal changes in narrator with each chapter, usually headed with their name so you are 100% sure. This book is different. We do change perspectives but on occasion you're left guessing who is now in the frame. I really enjoyed this element because it really highlighted how many people were involved in the story and how many could, for example, be in love with Twyla. Is it her husband? Her father? Or someone else?
The book changes direction half way through, with the focus shifting away from Twyla's turmoil over her upcoming decision. I didn't see this coming and it jolted me somewhat, much as it did Twyla. A mystery develops and needs to be solved and although everything does come out in the wash, I wasn't too sure about the feasibility of some elements. Money talks, but can it really talk that much, and that loudly?
I really enjoyed this book that was easy to read, and quite friendly, but at the same time neither simplistic nor ordinary. While the story is about blindness, it reaches much further than that, and it was interesting to read the author's inspiration for the story and her personal experience as a parent.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending us a copy to review. I've been reading a lot of thrillers recently so this made a refreshing change, while still maintaining an air of mystery. For further family dramas, we would recommend One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf and the phenomenal Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult.
You could get a free audio download of Blind by Cath Weeks with a 30-day Audible free trial at Amazon.co.uk.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Blind by Cath Weeks at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Blind by Cath Weeks at Amazon.com.
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