This was brilliant! The book takes place in Sweden and is about Stella, the daughter of Adam (a pastor) and Ulrika (a criminal defense attorney). Stella is accused of murder, so the book poses the question "How far would you go to protect the ones you love?" The occupation of each of the parent's just adds an extra layer of complication to that question. Yikes.
First, much like other books recently, the chapters go back and forth between then and now. But what I LOVED was that the book was from 3 points of view, separated into parts. Often, I see books with chapters that alternate between characters. So to read multiple chapters consecutively about ONE character was refreshing. I really felt I got to know the characters better this way.
Although the main focus of the book was around this trial and the events leading up to it, the author also gave us a glimpse into a not-often-discussed family dynamic (in my opinion). Stella was a daddy's girl growing up; Ulrika wasn't a natural nurturer, so mothering came harder for her. I myself love being a mom, but I don't get LIFE from it. And in a section in the book, it said:
"Sometimes I wondered if there was something wrong with me, whether I was somehow constructed differently from other new mothers, because I couldn't...get all my strength from the fact that I was now the mother of a child." AMEN! I totally connected with this.
I'm not typically into courtroom thrillers, but this book was so much more than that. It was about love, loyalty, friendship, and family. I highly recommend checking this book out
First, much like other books recently, the chapters go back and forth between then and now. But what I LOVED was that the book was from 3 points of view, separated into parts. Often, I see books with chapters that alternate between characters. So to read multiple chapters consecutively about ONE character was refreshing. I really felt I got to know the characters better this way.
Although the main focus of the book was around this trial and the events leading up to it, the author also gave us a glimpse into a not-often-discussed family dynamic (in my opinion). Stella was a daddy's girl growing up; Ulrika wasn't a natural nurturer, so mothering came harder for her. I myself love being a mom, but I don't get LIFE from it. And in a section in the book, it said:
"Sometimes I wondered if there was something wrong with me, whether I was somehow constructed differently from other new mothers, because I couldn't...get all my strength from the fact that I was now the mother of a child." AMEN! I totally connected with this.
I'm not typically into courtroom thrillers, but this book was so much more than that. It was about love, loyalty, friendship, and family. I highly recommend checking this book out