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MORE ON MONDAY: In Search of Adam by Caroline Smailes
Caroline Smailes' debut novel In Search of Adam is the first novel to be released by The Friday Project, who were set up to discover books via blogs.
It's the story of Jude who, aged six, finds her mother dead from an overdose and a note that reads, "Jude. I have gone in search of Adam. I love you baby." Written in the first person, we learn how Jude struggles without her mother, wonders about Adam and suffers physical, sexual and emotional abuse from both family and strangers. The abuse leads Jude into obsession, compulsions, self-harm and bulimia.
In Search of Adam made me cry, it made me furious. It made me wonder how anyone can bring themselves to write such a painful book. (I couldn't read it in the evenings because I knew I wouldn't have been able to sleep.) And then reading the notes at the end I discovered that there was so much more to the book that I hadn't even understood and it made me admire the author even more.
I ached for Jude. I wanted to take care of her. Or at least I wanted someone, anyone to take care of her. I almost cheered when she got a teacher who understood and treated Jude with kindness and respect, and I wanted the teacher to take on Jude's parents, but then Jude moved through school and had no-one again.
Another reviewer has said that In Search of Adam will do for child abuse what Mark Haddon did for autism. I agree. I also think it's an incredibly important book. I see great things. They're all deserved.
Rating: 5/5
Like this? Try We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
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Posted by Keris Stainton on June 18, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, More On Monday, New Releases, Rating: 5/5 | Permalink
Comments
It seems like this book had the same effect on you that White Oleander did on me. All I wanted was to adopt Astrid. I even applied to be a foster parent after reading that book. Ultimately, I couldn't do it because you have to have a 2 bedroom place to foster, and, living in over-priced Los Angeles, I couldn't afford to move out of my rent controlled apartment.
Posted by: Lucie Simone | Jun 18, 2007 5:13:50 PM
Oh wow, Lucie, that's amazing. I haven't read White Oleander, but it's been on my list for years (since seeing the author on Oprah). Not sure I'll read it just yet then, if that's the case.
Posted by: Keris | Jun 18, 2007 7:26:34 PM
