3 Stars
Molly, a
troubled teen, meets a 91-year-old wealthy widow, Vivian Daly. Though seemingly very different, it turns out
that Molly and Vivian (as a young girl) lead almost parallel lives: semi-orphaned, they are shuttled from one
foster home to another; both belong to marginalized groups; both lose almost
everything important in their lives except for a totem piece of jewelry; both
are “broken inside”; a book about an orphan is a favourite for each girl.
I enjoyed
the historical aspect of the book. I had
not known about the orphan trains which brought orphaned, homeless and
destitute children, mostly immigrants, to American Midwest families. This child migration scheme reminded me of
the British Home Children who were sent to Canada and other settler countries
Unfortunately,
there are other aspects of the book which I enjoyed less. The plotting is formulaic. Niamh’s experiences with the foster families are
predictable as are events like her reunion with a fellow orphan. The ending is very rushed; so much happens so
easily and quickly. It’s just too neat
and feels contrived. Readers who want a
happy, feel-good ending will find just that.
There are
weaknesses in characterization. Vivian,
a nonagenarian, picks up computer skills so easily! An orphan, who wants a family more than
anything and who never throws anything away, gives up a child for
adoption? There are several
stereotypes, the most obvious being Molly’s most recent foster mother,
Dina. She is the epitome of the evil
stepmother with no redeeming qualities.
The
epiphanies that Vivian and Molly experience are identical? They would even use the same words to
describe how their personalities were formed by their experiences? For instance, Vivian says, “I know too much;
I have seen people at their worst, at their most desperate and selfish, and
this knowledge makes me wary. So I am
learning to pretend, to smile and nod, to display empathy I do not feel. I am learning to pass, to look like everyone
else, even though I feel broken inside.”
Molly says, “More often than not, you see the worst of people. You learn that most adults lie. That most people only look out for
themselves. . . . You know too much, and
this knowledge makes you wary. You grow
fearful and mistrustful. The expression of
emotion does not come naturally, so you learn to fake it. To pretend.
To display an empathy you don’t actually feel. And so it is that you learn how to pass, if
you’re lucky, to look like everyone else, even though you’re broken inside.”
This book
has received rave reviews from some people and negative reviews from
others. I am tending to agree with the
latter more than the former. The book is
an easy read with simple symbolism and a simple message, characteristics often
found in young adult fiction. That is
the group to which I would recommend this novel. Anyone looking for literary fiction with more
depth should look elsewhere.
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