ISBN-13: 9780062320476
Publisher: William Morrow
Publication Date: 3 March 2015
Format: Paperback, 352 pgs
Source: Publisher
"How well do you really know your family?"
This caption on the cover is what drawn me to this book from the start. A story of suspense and loss, The Daughter isn't an easy read to begin with, especially for the parents. How would you react should your child is missing? And how would you feel should you think your child is keeping secrets from you?
Jenny Malcolm is a family doctor and has three teenage children. Her husband is a successful neurosurgeon and to anyone it seems her life is ideal and complete. Unfortunately, that perfect image is shattered after the missing of their fifteen-year-old youngest child, Naomi. Naomi had told Jenny that she would be going out for a late meal with her friends after their school play but she never returns home.
Told from Jenny's POV, readers follow her frightening journey of missing and searching for Naomi through flashbacks and a year after that fateful night. Her flashbacks tell us more about her profession as a doctor; her relationship with her family members, and how she felt Naomi's change before of her disappearance. Apparently she didn't understand much about Naomi; and she would wave it off as being adolescence whenever Naomi keeps an emotional distance from her.
Naomi's good friend, Nikita, claims Naomi was seen with an older guy at their school play but she isn't sure of his identity as she only caught a glimpse of him at the back stage once. There are some scribblings on Naomi's diary but Jenny couldn't decipher them, as she had used alphabetical codes as an identification of the persons she was referring to. Perhaps Naomi has a secret boyfriend? Or is it a vengeful plan by an ex-patient's family? After all, Jenny had failed to diagnose their daughter's illness in a timely manner due to her misconceptions. Or there is something more than meets the eye? Endless possibilities and doubts make her question about herself being a mother.
Reading The Daughter has allowed me to ponder about many topics; such as the role of a busy working mother, letting go of the children (how to balance and how much is too much?), and of course the biggest issue - How well do you know your family? Do you really know what they want? Jenny's thoughts and her emotional self have inevitably made me think about things. I think these issues have taken much of my attention here in this story, though the mystery itself is intriguing, too. As for the ending... I suppose it has to depend on the reader how he or she interprets it.
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You're reviewing all the books I want to read!
I was just commenting on Kay's post how I don't really like to read about child abduction--and really missing children for that matter regardless of the cause--because it's one of my fears. And yet, I can't seem to stay away from the topic these days. It's like I'm drawn to some books that do deal with the subject. What's wrong with me? LOL I have a copy of this book and am looking forward to reading it.
I read this one last year before I came back to blogging. It was quite compelling and raised a lot of questions. I hesitate to say I enjoyed it, but I did. Somehow I seem to be able to distance myself from the missing child scenario, maybe because my child is grown. In any case, I totally understand the things you said in your review. I always knew I didn't know everything about my teen, but I sure tried to know. To her everlasting horror. LOL
Great review! Child abductions are particularly disturbing, but this does sound like something I'd like.
Wendy - I know what you mean, Wendy. I've the same sentiments too. Looking forward to your thoughts on this.
Kay - 'Enjoyed' seems not to be the right word given the topic, isn't it? But yet we are drawn to the story. It's so hard being a parent; and most of all it's also hard to know when to draw the lines, LOL.
Irene - Thanks, Irene! Any thriller books that deal with children always make it so hard to read yet there are something about them that make us hard to turn our attentions away. I suppose we are also hoping that we can find some answers and that justice are being given even though they are fictional.
I'm reading a couple of books now that fall in the "not exactly enjoying" category. Compelling, but not enjoyable books are often disturbing. I find myself taking a lot of breaks when reading this kind of novel.
Jenclair - Can't wait to hear what you're reading, Jenclair! :)
I too am drawn to this cover!
Sheila - The cover is eye-catching, isn't it?
Melody I would have picked this one up because of the cover too. That's really pretty. Really enjoyed your review and will have to add this one to my list! :)
Iliana - Yes, that cover is absolutely awesome, isn't it? Looks very atmospheric too.