What would you do?
When Deborah reluctantly helps her beloved husband, Neil, end his life and conceals the truth, she is charged with his murder. As the trial unfolds and her daughter Sophie testifies against her, Deborah, still reeling from grief, fights to defend her actions. Twelve jurors hold her fate in their hands - and if found guilty she will serve a life sentence. But is the assisted suicide of a person you love murder?
..... From the outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE: It's my birthday tomorrow.
MEMORABLE MOMENT: Right for Neil, but for the rest of us?
Just like THE MEMORY KEEPERS DAUGHTER, I expected this to be a very emotional read given the subject matter. Sadly, I also found this missing a certain something, something that prevented me from fully connecting with the characters and their situation, something that, if I'm being totally honest, left me not caring one way or another what the outcome of the trial was.
A relatively quick read of only 261 pages, I think one of the problems with the whole novel for me was that not enough time was spent looking more closely at all of the implications of Deborah's actions and of just what kind of emotional impact this would have on the rest of the family - 'fragile' son, Adam, and daughter, Sophie.
The biggest turn-off for me, however, was the, at times, too long winded and very crude descriptions of Deborah and Neil's lovemaking. Quite why the author felt that such language had to be used I do not know. After all we were supposed to believe that here we had a totally loving, devoted couple who adored each other and yet the language used to portray their sex life suggested something different, something very crude and, was it just me?, verging on the violent.
That said, this was, by its very nature, a thought provoking story that left me wondering just what I would do in Deborah's shoes. Just what verdict I would reach as a member of the jury.
Purchased from NewBooks magazine free of charge apart from packaging and postage.
12 comments:
This sounds like it would be something I would like, except for the fact that you did not care for it. Well they can't all be great! I just read a disappointing one as well. sigh
I thought the premise sounded good. I am sorry that you didn't enjoy it so much. The book does sound a lot like Jodi Picoult's Mercy.
I can't read explicit lovemaking scenes. My imagination is too vivid and it's such a turnoff for me. (In more ways than one, ha ha.) Although it sounds like it could otherwise be a good story.
Well, there must be people who want those scenes, but the funny thing is that you never meet anyone who will admit they do. But thanks for the warning :D
I wonder why some authors think that being crude or vulgar is being "sexy"? To each his (or her) own, though. I don't like graphic sex in books, and hardly ever feel it's necessary.
Great, honest review, Tracy.
So, what was the verdict?!
It's an important topic so it's sad that they didn't delve more into that instead of the sex scenes. I think they have their place but this isn't a book you would expect to find them in and it does seem rather unecassary. Maybe it was to show what the loss to her would be later?? Who knows.
I can certainly do without scenes like that in a book and it does seem odd to be included in a story with such weighty subject matter.
I would think a book would have to focus on everyone affected by the act (assisted suicide) to really do it justice.
The premise sounds interesting, too bad it wasnt that great. The sex scenes would be a turn off for me as well. I dislike when authors insert uneeded scenes or language. It can ruin the read.
I do wonder if they charged her with murder.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Good Morning PW,
I clicked the calender first and then read your review of the book.Good work.
hmm..this does not sound like a book for me.
Wow, that WOULD be a tough decision for all parties involved. To help or not. To convict or not. GLad I'm not in their shoes. Too bad about the character connection though....sounds like it had a lot of potential.
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