Once again Amy Hatvany delivers a powerful, emotional novel. When I finish a book and continue thinking about it for days, I cannot help but be impressed. When I finish a book and my viewpoint on the subject matter is altered even slightly, that is profound. Ms. Hatvany’s writing tends to have this affect on me. She handles the subject of mental illness with an elegance that is characteristic of her writing. The story is told in two points of view. We not only see how Eden is affected by her father’s illness but how David, himself, struggles with it. The care and respect she uses to create these characters shines through. Even when David is at his worst, he is tolerable. Even when I didn’t agree with Eden, I still could see where her feelings were rooted and it made them a little more understandable.
This is an extraordinary book and I would highly recommend reading it. I just don’t know that I have the words to give it the justice it deserves. It is beautiful and heartbreaking. I am glad that Ms. Hatvany chooses to share her gift with us in her books. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
