Breaking and Holding by Judy Fogarty
From the very first chapter I was hooked, the perspective is unique and elevates the story from one I’ve heard before to mysterious. I cannot stress enough the difference the perspective made. It makes the story gripping as you watch things unfold from the inside and outside. But in the end it also illustrates that you can never predict the ending we are given in life, that even when you believe you are outside of it all, you are still too involved.
But let me move onwards. Reading this book was like watching a car crash in slow motion: you know the ending, sort of, and now you just watch helplessly as people bring about their own demise. The novel explores many characters and personalities that get tangled up together like flies in a spider’s web moving towards various dangers. You want to yell at them or knock some sense into them, and the inability to do so is both maddening and addicting. In some ways it was like watching a reality television show that is so bad it’s good (but not that this book is bad, let me explain). The characters make decisions that are unwise, rash, and dangerous. But what really frustrates you is how human they are. How easy it would be for you to make the same choice, blinded by loyalty, trust, or the desire to not face the present. They are so human it almost makes your heart ache when they make decisions that are bad for themselves. This book explores our own personal battles to find our inner strength to love ourselves. It’s full of confused characters longing for validation and affection who just try to make the best choices they can.
I loved the ending because it wrapped up what I loved from the very beginning, the perspective of one of the strongest narrative voices. The ending just truly showed the importance of each of our own journeys towards self-acceptance and love. The way things don’t work, no matter how hard you try and delude yourself, and the strength to break free of the insecurity and fear of the unknown that is holding you back.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
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Just added this to my reading list! Another great review from you! 🙂
Thank you! It’s definitely an interesting novel about the dynamics between people, the things we do (or don’t do) for love, and the journey we all have to go on to fight for ourselves.