Kylie Ladd
Autor(a) de After the Fall
About the Author
Obras por Kylie Ladd
Etiquetado
Conhecimento Comum
- Sexo
- female
Membros
Críticas
Listas
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Associated Authors
Estatísticas
- Obras
- 8
- Membros
- 201
- Popularidade
- #109,507
- Avaliação
- 3.5
- Críticas
- 41
- ISBN
- 60
Over lunch on the third anniversary of Daniel O’Shea’s shocking and untimely death, Clare announces to her sisters that she plans to seek out the recipients of their brother’s donated organs. For Clare, for whom loss has become all too common, it’s a way to affirm Daniel’s life, and perhaps her own. Eldest sister Allison thinks Clare’s mission is morbid and is impatient with the whole idea, as she is with most things. Bridie is indifferent until, ‘in between’ film projects, she see’s its potential as an award winning documentary. Emma, the youngest of the siblings, is happy to offer Clare her support, but only Joel, Daniel’s former lover, is truly enthusiastic about the project.
A novel driven by character and theme rather than plot, I’ll Leave You Like This unfolds from the alternating perspectives of each of the four sisters.
I enjoyed getting to know the sisters, who are well rounded and relatable characters. Ladd has created distinct personalities for each woman, who have quite disparate temperaments and lifestyles. Each is affected differently by their grief not only related Daniel’s death, but also the loss of their parents in quick succession some years before. The sisters also struggle with their own issues, among them infertility, self harm, stress, and loss of confidence, and feel unable to turn to each other for support. Their dynamic feels authentic, and is rendered with insight into the sometimes complicated bonds of siblings.
As a registered donor myself, I personally strongly feel that organ donation is a wonderful legacy. Clare’s mission allows Ladd to explore some interesting questions not only about what it means to the recipients, but also to the relatives of the donor. I certainly empathise with Clare’s desire to connect with the people who carry a part of her brother, but I also understand why recipients may be uncomfortable with any contact.
Written with warmth, wit and compassion, I’ll Leave You With This is an emotive family drama.… (mais)