Review: A cautionary tale of drug addiction and dysfunctional family life.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 12, 2014
Cheryl West is surprised when she lands a job at a drug rehab and support centre in London. She is from a dysfunctional family on whom her son, Michael, walked out some years ago.This story investigates the lives of drug addicts and very cleverly describes the highs and lows of addiction in a disjointed style similar to Trainspotting. It also provides an insight into Cheryl’s dysfunctional style of motherhood. Unfortunately there is a lot of what I thought over sentimental new mother gushiness which I found rather nauseating and I am sure most male readers would agree. In fact the book once again asserted that I have made the right decision in choosing not to have children.Once you get past that though, this is a good story about relationships, both normal and dysfunctional, as well as how rational thinking and sense of identity can be distorted by drug addiction so perhaps it serves as a cautionary tale too.The trials and tribulations of Cheryl’s life are cleverly intersected by stories of her mostly adult children and you want to keep reading to find out if her path and Michael’s will cross.All in all a good story but not one I would want to read more than once.