"It's just that I've learned that somebody's appearance doesn't always match what's going on inside him. You can't look at a guy's face and see his demons." (pg 346-347, The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain, c.2012)
That quote is from the end of the book I just finished this morning.
This was a fantastic book that has left me reeling. What characters! I immediately fell in love with all 3 main characters, not to mention the little girl, Bella. I want to know how they are doing now.....they seemed to come alive....to be real as my eyes watched the words make the story unfold.
STORY SUMMARY
Travis Brown made a choice 4 years ago to raise his own newborn daughter, after the baby's mother, Robin, gave her up for adoption. He was 19 years old at the time and living with his mother.
Robin, just in her teens, needed a heart transplant and never knew Travis had the baby, whom he named Bella. She was told by her father (also a single dad due to her mom dying earlier in her life) that Travis had gotten married. She moves away to another town to begin a new life.
Travis has never regretted his decision to raise a baby while other boys his age were out meeting girls and partying. Bella is the light of his life. She is the reason for every thing he does. And so far she is safe, fed, clean and cared for.
And then tragedy strikes. His mom dies rescuing Bella from a fire that destroys their home. He has also lost his construction job and the security that he has built up for Bella has begun to break down.
And then a miracle happens. He learns of a job in Raleigh and has the chance to turn his life around....it promises to pay big money. The only problem? He has to commit a criminal act.
With nowhere else to turn, Travis must make another choice for Bella's sake.
And it might mean losing her.
MY THOUGHTS
This book, by the same author as The Midwife's Confession, was just riveting.
Each chapter is a different voice. The reader hears Travis, Robin, or Erin narrate. Erin is a character who has recently lost her preschool daughter to a drowning accident. She plays an integral part in the saga of Travis and the "job" he decides to take.
I hesitate to tell you much about the plot as I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.
There are some deep issues that come out in this story. Issues like depression, grief, good vs. bad parenting, desperation and how it drives people to do things they otherwise might never do.
The driving theme is " what makes a good father"?
It teaches us that people grieve in different ways and that there is no right or wrong way.
It teaches about how we never really know what a person is facing by just looking at them.
It is an excellent book that left me reading late into the night.
In my opinion, the book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.
Read it......it will leave an impression on you and a huge "HURRAH" for Travis.....a good father.
2 comments:
I've already gone and put it onto my library list. It sounds really good.
I read it far into the night, Susanne!! it is just EXCELLENT!!! I'm on a roll with finding some good books!!
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