Wishbones

LoveReading Says

In a Nutshell: Big secrets, big issues, the biggest love

This splendidly life-affirming, read-in-one-sitting novel sees a huge-hearted teenager battling to fix her mum’s life-threatening eating disorder.

Feather’s mum has always been chubby. “That's just the way she is. What’s more important for you to know is that she’s the best mum in the world”, she explains. But Mum hasn’t left their specially adapted cottage for thirteen years and then, one New Year's Eve, Feather finds her in a diabetic coma. In an instant, “just the way she is” has just got much more serious and, reeling with guilt, Feather resolves to do anything to nurture her mum back to health. When Feather’s dad insists that this isn't something she can fix, Feather wants answers. Her mum used to be active, a trained lawyer with a “clever reading and writing brain”, so what’s changed? The trigger behind her mum’s illness is a painful truth to bear, but still Feather refuses to give up; her love far outweighs any anger and pain.

Seamlessly interweaving a myriad of pertinent subjects (eating disorders, depression, immigration, Alzheimer’s, sexuality) into Feather’s personal story, the novel is populated by a vibrant, believable cast of characters. Feather herself remains a beam of optimism through many dark moments, and I also adored her “cool and geeky” best friend Jake, and Mrs Zas from the fancy dress shop, who’s nothing short of the human equivalent of a rainbow after a grim downpour. Compelling, gritty and suffused with promise, this is a true triumph of contemporary YA. ~ Joanne Owen

Joanne Owen

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