Assessment:
Idea: Henderson's story is inherently fascinating, as it journeys through the various stages of wanting to find her mother, finding her mother, and the emotional trip that discovery caused. Unfortunately, the four-book format of the story makes it feel disjointed and disconnected from the strong emotions discussed at the end of the journal section. This lack of cohesion distracts the reader from fully investing in this emotional, dramatic and powerful story.
Prose/Style: The prose has grammatical issues and an overall choppy cadence that makes the reading of it difficult. While the subject matter is infinitely interesting and the conflicted emotions of the author are palpable, those two elements of the story are dulled by prose that could use a professional copyeditor’s review.
Originality: Henderson's extraordinary tale is, at turns, heartbreaking, illuminating, powerful, and relatable. However, both the disjointed plot structure and prose cadence keep the reader from truly immersing themself in the emotions of the overall story.
Character Development/Execution: The author's personality--her conflicted emotions about her mother and her frustrating experience trying to find her--are heart-rending, relatable, and ultimately inspiring. She paints an as-complex-as-possible portrait of the elusive (both personality-wise and mental health-wise) mother in question. The supporting characters could benefit from a stronger showcase, particularly the father's part of the narrative.
Date Submitted: October 09, 2020
Candid, detailed, thought-provoking, inspiring...
The author’s emotional honesty and the balancing of positive and negative emotions is what makes this series work.
Grace LaJoy Henderson’s Finding Mother Series is a revelation. It is a gift to discover an author who can write so honestly—and with such vulnerability—about the joy and pain of reuniting with a parent after a 49-year separation. Henderson never glosses over the frightening or disappointing parts of her story. But her compassionate, unwavering voice, as she uncovers the long arc of her mother’s life, is itself a triumph.
