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A 'haunting, sometimes harrowing' novel that examines the difficult decision a mother must make on behalf of her autistic child. Therese Wolley is a mother who has made a promise. She works as a secretary, shops for groceries on Saturdays, and takes care of her two girls. She doesn't dwell on the fact that her girls are fatherless, mostly because her own father abandoned her before she was born and she has done just fine without him. Even though her older daughter regularly wakes with nightmares and her younger one whispers letters under her breath, she doesn't shift from her resolve that everything will be fine. She promises... and they believe. Until the morning an obituary in the newspaper changes everything. Therese immediately knows what she has to do. She cannot delay what she has planned, and she cannot find the words to explain her heartbreaking decision to her daughters. She considers her responsibilities, her girls, and her promise. Then she does the only thing that any real mother would do. She goes on the run with one daughter... and abandons the other. Left is told from the perspectives of Franny, the autistic sister who is left behind; Matilda, the troubled older sister who vows to go back and save her; and Therese, a mother on the run
A mother's desperate promise unravels when an obituary forces her to make an unthinkable choice between her daughters. Therese Wolley, a single mother striving for normalcy despite her daughters' struggles, is bound by a promise to protect them. However, the sudden appearance of an obituary shatters her resolve, compelling her to flee with one child and abandon the other. The narrative unfolds through the distinct perspectives of Franny, the autistic sister left behind; Matilda, the older sister determined to rescue her; and Therese, the mother on the run, each grappling with the consequences of this heartbreaking decision.
The novel is described as 'haunting' and 'sometimes harrowing,' focusing on the profound and difficult decisions a mother faces regarding her autistic child. The narrative structure, which shifts between the perspectives of the abandoned sister, the determined older sister, and the fleeing mother, allows for a deep exploration of the emotional fallout from Therese's choice. This multi-faceted approach likely immerses the reader in the complex psychological states of each character. The book's premise suggests a powerful examination of maternal love, sacrifice, and the devastating consequences of a single, desperate act.
Page Count:
238
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
ISBN-10:
1626360375
ISBN-13:
9781626360372
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