Stolen Child by Laura Elliot
| Stolen Child by Laura Elliot | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Louise Laurie
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| Summary: This is a complex family saga - times two. A baby disappears from a maternity ward: two families are in turmoil for years and two mothers lead painful and secretive lives for very different reasons. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 512 | Date: July 2010 |
| Publisher: Avon | |
| ISBN: 978-1847561466 | |
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The title of the book leaves us in no doubt as to what it's all about. It does exactly what it says on the tin. But those two, small words are wrapped up in plenty of emotions for the characters involved. In some ways, it's worse than a death. With death, there's closure but with a baby being stolen there's living hell. And, as you would expect, some characters cope with all of this better than others.
The reader weaves in and out of two couples' lives; the Gardners and the Dowlings. Susanne Dowling has suffered several miscarriages over the years and she is desperate to have a healthy birth this time. But the signs are not good ... She starts out on a long journey of lies and deceit. A web she cannot escape from, even if at times she'd like to do just that.
Meanwhile, in another part of the country, a glamorous celebrity is strutting around showing off her 'bump.' She seems to have it all. Money, fame, prestige, a doting husband and now soon to be a new mum. But her bubble is about to burst - big time. It's interesting to note the social differences and expectations between the two women here. Susanne is a Londoner, used to its anonymity and bustling streets who now finds herself with her husband in a small, rural village. She can't stand all the gossip and tittle-tattle. That's a pity because she's going to be the subject of wagging tongues for some time - and it's all of her own making. When her longed-for daughter Joy is born she becomes, overnight, a highly-strung and ultra-protective mother. Why? She explains this away to family and friends by saying that she's both mother and father to Joy. (Her husband David works away from home on a regular basis). And for the rest of the novel we see Susanne looking over her shoulder 24/7. What a way to lead your life.
In the meantime the glamorous Carla has her own heartache to deal with. Her plight makes ideal tabloid headlines and we see how the press hound her at every turn and how the cameras capture her at her weakest moments. She resorts to desperate measures in order to survive, to simply get through each day.
When I was reading this book, I was struck now and again with the similarity of real-life stolen children. We're all sadly aware of these tragic stories where a young child is 'taken'. One minute he/she is sleeping or playing in the garden and next minute they are gone. Elliot has the bare bones here and makes up her own story.
They say that there is no such thing as a perfect crime. But Susanne Dowling thinks she's clever, thinks she's covered all bases. But, she does leave something behind ... and worlds fall apart. For me, at times, the various coincidences were a little too pat, not quite seamless. I'm thinking mainly of the link between the two couples. It does, of course, as intended move the narrative forward, but it's not 100% credible. At times, Elliot over-eggs the pudding, uses rather sugary-sweet language. But it's a minor point really and doesn't spoil the story. All-in-all, a good story, well told.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If this book appeals then you might also like Blood Precious by Sara Banerji or Hush Little Baby by Joanna Barnard.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Stolen Child by Laura Elliot 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 Stolen Child by Laura Elliot at Amazon.com.
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