February 1, 2022
Ecco
NetGalley
Fiction, women’s lit, arc, digital, Boston
352 pages
ISBN:9780061763304
4/19/22-4/24/22
Trigger warning: This is not an easy read and deals with issues of abortion, poverty, opinions on government, religion, and other heavy topics.
In 2015 on Ash Wednesday, a major Nor'easter was predicted for the Boston area of Massachusetts which isn't an unusual occurrence but the angry protestors outside of the Mercy Street Women's Clinic rises to a fearful level. Being from Boston I could visually imagine the scene which she depicts pretty accurately in the Chinatown and Charlestown districts of Boston. The neighborhoods have historically not been densely populated with diverse cultures. Beliefs and judgements tend to be strongly ingrained from birth so tensions run high on a religious day in particular at an abortion clinic.
Claudia Birch has worked as a counselor for many years mostly ignoring the determined anti-abortion protesters each morning and the frequent anonymous death threats that littered the clinic. Aside from the stress of her job she also has the responsibility of checking on her childhood "house" in Maine. She grew up with her mother, Deb, in a trailer where her mother took in many foster kids for the money provided for their care. She went to Boston where she obtained a degree in social work most likely as a result of growing up in poverty. She hasn't elevated her status as she often finds herself visiting Tim Flynn for weed to alleviate her anxiety. There are a few memorable characters in this novel representative of the stereotypical extremes on social issues.
Anthony Blanchard is a traditional Catholic who suffering a brain injury on site at his construction job. He lives in his mother's basement surviving with the help of marijuana and maintaining a schedule of daily Mass and visits to the clinic. He spends time online focusing on abortion although his brain injury makes it difficult for him to make any sound explanations for the protests against abortion. He finds solace being in the company of other people so feels drawn to be accepted by others.
Victor Prine is the catalyst of violence in the story with his misogynist, racist opinions shaped from being raised in poverty by a prostitute mother. He listens to Doug Straight who has a radio show spewing his doomsday, racist theories. Victor also holds a strong position online sharing his angry white supremist views which evolves into full-blown anti-government ideology where he begins stockpiling weapons. He is clearly the most unstable of characters depicted which eventually leads to a confrontation at Mercy Clinic which has everyone considering their lives and what matters most in life.
Thank you to Ecco and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book. This review is my unbiased and voluntary opinion.
https://www.librarything.com/work/26876208&savedbook=1
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/282462671
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/58006995
https://www.edelweiss.plus/?sku=0061763306&g=4400,
https://www.netgalley.com/member/book/231513/review
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