Little Disaster's Book Review

I almost gave up on this book. Child abuse was the prevailing topic early on and the impending doom felt as the pages turned is not something I can stomach nor want for use of my spare time. I trudged half way through, shaking my head and gritting my teeth as the undercurrent of abuse strengthened. Character Jess portrayed as the beautiful woman with the glossy life and yet also the person of interest. Physical abuse; baby girl hospitalized with a skull fracture. Emotional abuse; young son hysterical, "You were so stressy. I just wanted to make things better. I just wanted to make you happy." Isolation of playgroup friends assuming guilt. Police and child protection agency investigating. As the reader, I felt the weight crushing. 

Then, there was a shift. The book flashbacked to a playgroup BBQ hosted by character Liz. "Everything is set, and yet my stomach twists."  As an outsider, it's easy to judge. When you have honest internal dialogue as expressed by Liz, perspective starts to embrace empathy. She goes on, "Why do I constantly have to fix things? As if I- and here's the irony- have all the answers? Why can't I accept myself, and my limitations, more readily?" While this is coming from Liz, it could be asked of Jess, as well. The pages turned faster as abuse waned, perfectionism was questioned and ultimately, the core group of friends that had questioned the guilt of one member resolved to come back together as the truth was squeaked out. Little Disasters plays out the human nature of outward social pressure to perform coupled with an internal struggle to please. When in the end, the real beauty in life is felt in the ability to ask for help or recognize help is needed in others. 

I'm glad I kept reading. Like the women in this book that kept moving forward through their lives despite the crumbling around them, the highs are what gets you through the lows. "Or maybe, there is (something to laugh about). The sun streams down, our children race around, and for a moment I feel nothing but pin-sharp happiness. This is it, I realize. This. Is. It."  

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Natalie F.