Jack Getze

This book by Jack Getze had one of the most amazing and unique storytelling viewpoints I have read yet. The look and feelings of the world from the eyes of an infant. And, not just any infant, but an unwanted daughter from a 17-year old unmarried girl. Correct, a bastard child. But oh what an amazing story Getze presents for the reader to enjoy as the baby struggles with its feelings about its mother, grandmother, and others around it. The author shows the heartbreak of potentially putting a child up for adoption or losing it through the child protective services when unreliable information is provided to them about the baby Noelle's family. Throughout, the story talks about all the various ways the feelings of the heart can change from extreme happiness to extreme heartbreak. One underlying theme prevails though, you never know where or when love will show up and in what form, but never give up on it. The characters seemed very realistic in their presentation. The young being self-involved, devious and immature; the adults split between loving and not loving the baby.… (mais)

After I read a few pages of MAKING HEARTS, I was reminded of Ian McEwan‘s NUTSHELL. Both stories are narrated by an unborn child who is aware of what is going on around her/him and her/his mother. But MAKING HEARTS‘ baby is soon born and continues narrating the story from the perspective of a newborn. As in NUTSHELL, MAKING HEARTS' baby, Noelle, makes judgments and knows more than is possible. But Noelle does insist that babies are more aware than adults realize. And I suppose that is possible.

After Noelle is born, she is so intent on making her mother’s family love her that she smiles at them even before she is a day old. Although her 17-year-old unwed mother is not so easily won over, HER mother, Mama, is.

Then a custody battle ensues. And we see all from the perspective of a helpless baby who turns out to be not so helpless.

I received a copy of MAKING HEARTS from the author.… (mais)

Making Hearts is a story told from the point of view of a baby. It is a unique story, allowing us to hear the thoughts of a child born to a teenage mother, and the baby’s emotions about those in her family, or close to her family. The baby has an astute sense of who lives her and who doesn’t.
The story also talks about the love of families and how that lives can change, and hopefully grow.
I really liked getting the perspective of the baby, the mother, the grandmother, and the grandfather as the story unfolded. I think we often wonder what a child is thinking or how they perceive the people around them, so it was delightful to read a story from the child’s point of view.
I was also interested to see how family court operates, and the things they consider when determining what is best for a child. The case worker wasn’t the most sympathetic person in the world. Also neither I nor the baby was a fan of Demyan, Emily’s supposed friend!… (mais)