This disjointed tale starts off gangbusters but then disintegrates -- perhaps purposely, as a reflection of the disintegration of the main character.
Helen Knightly, after a lifetime consumed by an increasingly demanding and erratic mother, puts an end to the relationship by killing her. At first, it seems Sebold might be setting up for a murder-or-mercy-killing tale, but Helen's increasingly erratic actions after the fact, make it clear that's not where this story is going.
The problem, perhaps, is that this story really doesn't go anywhere except back and forth through Helen's past. By the final page, she seems to have made a decision, but if the preceding pages give any indication, she may change her mind again and again until someone else makes her decision for her.
Helen Knightly, after a lifetime consumed by an increasingly demanding and erratic mother, puts an end to the relationship by killing her. At first, it seems Sebold might be setting up for a murder-or-mercy-killing tale, but Helen's increasingly erratic actions after the fact, make it clear that's not where this story is going.
The problem, perhaps, is that this story really doesn't go anywhere except back and forth through Helen's past. By the final page, she seems to have made a decision, but if the preceding pages give any indication, she may change her mind again and again until someone else makes her decision for her.
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