Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but irresponsible father since her mother left them, sleeping on friends' couches and moving in and out of cheap motels. When Jenny suddenly finds herself on her own, she is forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. The last thing she wants is a social worker, but when Ellen's and Jenny's lives collide, little do they know just how much they can help one another.
A powerful and emotionally charged tale about motherhood and justice, Little Mercies is a searing portrait of the tenuous grasp we have on the things we love the most, and of the ties that unexpectedly bring us together.
Review
As soon as I got 10% in, I realized that they hate me and like to watch me suffer. Which I did.
I cried. I wallowed in despair as my cats laid by me, purring and basking in my tears, as cats are known to do.
This book caused several interesting conversations for me over car seat safety. I live in Houston, it gets freaking hot here. There are all too many cases of negligence with both children and pets. Seeing the story being told from the point of view of someone who had left their child in a hot car and suffered the negative consequences as a result... it was eye opening.
Not to say I don't think it is a horrible thing, but I acknowledge their are varying factors in situations like this.
I had an issue with the point of view switch. I don't mind them, but when one is first and the other is third - it was hard to get into the beginning of each change, and it hurt my head a wee bit.
Other than that, I really did enjoy this story. I look forward to discussing it at book club on Saturday. Thank you, Satan, for writing this book and giving me alternative views to consider. I really do love when books make me think. Even if they do so whilst making me wallow and turn into a pile of snot.