Friday, June 20, 2008

Mother Talk book review: More Than it Hurts You




















Wow.

Just...wow.

I didn't know what to expect with this book. I knew it was a story about an alleged case of Munchausen by proxy (which has always fascinated me, oddly), but I didn't know it would be so much more...a story about class and race and the lines that divide people. I found myself totally engrossed in this book and unable to put it down. I finished in two days, an impressive feat, even for someone who devours books like they are oxygen.

The story centers around Josh and Dori, a husband and wife and parents of an 8 month old child Zach, and Dr. Darlene Stokes, the single, black physician who admits the baby to the ICU. When CPS takes the baby, everything comes to a head. People accuse the doctor of being a racist and trying to break up the family, who is Jewish. The media gets involved. It all gets so messy and complicated and muddled and all the characters are changed, forever.

The reader is left wanting more...not in an unsatisfied way, but because we are so compelled by the characters and the story that the author, Darin Strauss, has crafted. Everything gets blurry, but in a shockingly human way. The book reminds us that none of us are exactly as we seem, and none of us are exactly the way we portray ourselves to the outside world.

In a word? Brilliant. Darin Strauss is the kind of author I aspire to be.

(Also, on a totally frivolous note? The man ain't bad to look at. I'm just sayin')

You can buy More Than it Hurts You. And be sure to check out what other moms are saying at MotherTalk.

12 comments:

Twisted Cinderella said...

It sounds like an incredible read!

Frannie said...

sounds great!

Heather {Desperately Seeking Sanity} said...

Wasn't it awesome?????

Creamy Silver said...

Terrific review! I'm not much of a reader (except a million online blogs) but I think I'll check it out. ThankS!

Angie said...

Sounds awesome.

And just think of what we'll be saying about YOU on the back jacket of YOUR book, eh?

"She ain't too hard on the eyes. . if you know what I mean in a totally heterosexual-woman-admiring-another-heterosexual-woman-kind-of-way!"

. . .or something like that!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Now that, sounds like a must buy.

Anonymous said...

Holy moley... that was one compelling book review!! Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Chick,

I think I'll pick this one up.

Tricia said...

Bookstore is on today's to-do list. Jill has a gift certificate that is burning a hole in her pocket, and I already went through four books this week. I think I might have to get that one!

DarinStrauss said...

Hey
This is the author of "More Than it Hurts you." I really appreciate the support!
Thanks for reading. I'm really glad you liked it.
-ds

Unknown said...

Sounds like a really interesting read. Thanks for the recommendation...

SJINCO said...

Munchausen by proxy has always fascinated me as well. I'd love to read this book!