Echoes Of Family by Barbara Claypole White โ 397 pages
ARC courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley
Book Blurb:
Marianne Stokes fled England at seventeen, spiraling into the manic depression that would become her shadow. She left behind secrets, memories, and tragedy: one teen dead, and her first love, Gabriel, badly injured. Three decades later sheโs finally found peace in the North Carolina recording studio she runs with her husband, Darius, and her almost-daughter, Jadeโฆuntil another fatality propels her back across the ocean to confront the long-buried past. In her picturesque childhood village, the first person she meets is the last person she wants to see again: Gabriel. Now the village vicar, he takes her in without question, and ripples ofwhat ifย reverberate through both their hearts. As Marianneโs mind unravels, Jade and Darius track her down. Tempers clash when everyone tries to help, but only by finding the courage to face her illness can Marianne heal herself and her offbeat family.
My Review: 4 stars
Echoes of Family takes on mania and brings it to the general populous in an engaging way. This is the first Barbara Claypole White book Iโve read and it certainly wonโt be the last. Sheโs an excellent storyteller.
Iโm familiar with manic-depressive bi-polar in a small way as someone I was very close to was mismanaging her meds. I wasnโt aware of her illness until that time and sadly witnessed the roller coaster first hand. The beginning of this book was confusing, fast, and I wasnโt sure where it was goingโฆa perfect start to a book about the highs and lows of bi-polar disorder.
I really liked Marianne and felt her struggle was real for someone who had survived tragedy and was tormented with guilt and betrayal. She was an amazing woman at heart who wanted to save the world, one young girl at a time through love and music. Her relationship with Jade (her pseudo daughter) and long lost friend/love Gabriel were wonderfully fleshed out. I didnโt care for her husband. This reader knew he was a good guy but I couldnโt grasp his adoration for her as realistic. Really, calling your significant other a goddess goes too far over the top for me!
I loved the small English townโs scenery and close-knit community. It seemed such a quiet and healing place amongst all the drama. Of course the tumult arrives there with Marianneโs return and her taking on a new young girl to care for.
Most importantly though, this book shares the guts of mental illness: how it feels to be the affected and how it affects those you love. It raises awareness. It sheds a light of understanding on a subject many are unfamiliar with. Kudos!
Quotes I liked:
You’re never truly lost if someone cares enough to come find you. Lost is waiting to be found.”
-โโฆas if love could magically, explicably cure mental illness.โ
-โMost people work hard to not say what they mean.โ
-โShort fiction is an excellent balm for the stressed.โ
Thank you for reading and taking the time to review. ๐
Thanks for writing it!!! Looking forward to reading more of your work!
No stars?
holy smokes Di! Thanks for noticing! 4 big stars!
Looking forward to this book. I really enjoyed the first one!
Enjoy! Great storytelling!
Di–hope you enjoy!