Review: Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2014
Marci is a hard-working girl from the poor side of Seattle. Due to a childhood injury, she must wear a brace on her leg to help her walk. Despite her handicap, she manages to work two to three jobs while taking care of her no-good, abusive, alcoholic father. Yet Marci doesn't spend any of the money on herself. As a matter of fact, the only respite she gets from her tedious life is a boy she fell in love with years ago. While he doesn't love her, he does consider her his best friend. Will Marci ever find happiness? And what does she do with all of her money?This is the first novella I've ever read. Since the book is so short, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thankfully, March and the Single Heart is a wonderful book. Zetterwall brilliantly brings all of the characters to life with dreams, secrets, and a wide range of emotions. I rarely find myself getting emotional over a book but I found myself tearing up at every new weight added to Marci's shoulders. She is such a good girl yet nothing ever goes right for her. But that is how it works in real life. Too bad the Coin of Luck doesn't really exist!I don't want to give away too much but I do have to say that my favorite part of the book was when Marci finally stood up to her father. After years of being beaten, usually for nothing more than talking to a boy, she realizes that she can be strong. Her leg is weak. That doesn't mean she is. While I wish that confrontation ended differently, I think it would have been out of character for Marci.This is definitely a book that needs to be read. Don't wait any longer - read it now!