Book Club: Mother, Mother Inspires Sad Reflection on Society

This post was inspired by the book Mother,  Mother by Koren Zailckas. 

I recently read the psychological thriller, Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas--and sadly realized that simply watching the nightly news reminds me that Zailckas fictional book is only the tip of the iceberg in the sad reality for so many children.  Children should be the safest in the hearts and homes of loving parents--but, find themselves abused or even killed by the hands entrusted with their care.  I wish Mother, Mother was science fiction--never happening in the world where we live--but, it isn’t.

Just yesterday, I read a news report about a couple who literally planned the sexual abuse of their childrenbefore the babies were born.  It's horrific.  It's so awful--that it has to be a fictionalized, movie plot.  But, it isn't.

There are frequent stories of parents severely abusing or murdering their own children for a host of ridiculous reasons.  Babies cry.  Young parents cannot go out so often once the baby is born.  Tweens and teens backtalk--and argue about homework.  

These used to be topics of conversation between mom-friends--today they are claimed as justification for murder!

It seems so long ago now--but, once upon a time--when children disappeared, the parents weren’t the first or only suspects.  Names like Susan Smith and Andrea Yates stand out in our memories because their cases were so rare.  Today, we hear of so many horrible acts that the names are lost in the shuffle--and, sadly, so are the children.

I am saddened by the lack of conscience in so many people, the missing morality, and the failure to realize that real life impacts real people.  We aren’t living in a video game or in a scripted t.v. show--human lives have real significance.  I am saddened by a world that has become so self absorbed in instant gratification and reality t.v. inspired, “look at me” narcissism that so many children are being left to raise themselves--and struggle for survival. 

I wish that Mother, Mother was a book of impossible fiction--and it absolutely terrifies me that it isn’t. 

Learn more about Mother, Mother:  A Novel by Koren Zailckas

A controlling mother, a missing daughter, and a family who is desperate for love. This post was inspired by the the psychological thriller Mother, Mother by Zoren Zailckas. Join From Left to Write on September 19 as we discuss & Mother, Mother.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.

Buy Mother, Mother: A Novel on Amazon