June 8, 2021
LibraryThing ER
Henry Holt and Company
Arc, fiction, print
416 pages
NetGalley/Macmillan Audio
5/20/21-5/24/21
I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher and Library Thing. I received a complimentary audio version from Macmillan Audio. My review is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.
Nora Mitchell was the mother of triplets who were aptly named: Mab, Monday, and Mirabel which held significance to the triplets. They used numbers representing their birth order which were 1, 2, 3 so often they would refer to each other by numbers. They are 17 years old and live with their mother, each with her own challenges. But in Bourne, it seems that many children were born with impairments many years ago when Belsum Chemical held a manufacturing plant there. People became outraged and filed legal actions against Belsum as it hardly seemed coincidental that this small town suddenly had an increased need for special education and rehab services. Nora worked as a therapist in the town which became overwhelming with so many people needing help and not being able to work.
The story surrounds the controversial nature of companies situated so close to towns to use the town's resources at the cost to the community. Nora devotes all her free time to either baking or working diligently on the lawsuit against Belsum since her husband died. The town was blindsided by the chemical company when the town's water supply became tainted. Some people like Nora could not move past such an aggrievance of justice. Nora organized a class action lawsuit again Belsum which was a daunting if not futile effort to repair the past.
Things in town change when the Templetons move into town as the grandfather had been the one in charge during the chemical disaster. Interestingly, they have a son named River which is rather symbolic of what the family ruined over the years. People would no longer drink tap water and it appeared that even the Templetons were leery themselves although hid that from the town. They were planning to re-open a company there again which would provide employment. Although skeptical, many people listened to the speech regarding all the changes and business practices. Well, this news infuriated Nora who goes to all lengths to prevent this from happening.
Can a disaster ever be forgotten and forgiveness offered? When does holding on to anger from the past keep you tied there unable to live in the present? This is a touching story about families and struggles with medical and mental health, consequences of careless greedy people. Although this is a work of fiction, it does address the town of Bourne, Massachusetts which has a long history of water contamination issues.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4014435987
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3525546203
https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=1250236770&g=4400
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPj2N-vr9yt/?utm_medium=copy_link
No comments:
Post a Comment