Thursday, March 19, 2015

Rokitansky By Alice Darwin

I was lucky to meet Alice at a writing workshop we were attending.  It is always nice to hear authors talk about their books.  She told me how she self-published Rokitansky and what it was about.  It sounded intriguing so I downloaded a copy onto my kindle.  Rokitansky Syndrome is a condition I knew nothing about until I read this book. 

The story opens with fifteen year-old Moira who is told that she’s got a medical condition, which the medical profession don’t know much about, but which means she will never be able to have a baby.  After their initial shock and grief her parents are embarrassed and Moira is expected to get on with her life and not mention her medical condition to anyone.  The next chapter is about Tori and Harry, a couple who are embarking on the journey of finding a surrogate mother.   Their journey will be long and emotionally challenging.  Then we see Mrs Brown.  A woman nearing the end of her life, but eager to look after the elderly residents of Godalming Lodge and to tackle the pile of paperwork that seems to always be with her.  It is clear that all isn’t as it appears to be with Mrs Brown.  The book continues with each chapter written in this order until its conclusion where all the strands are neatly pulled together.  I was a bit puzzled about how the three stories were linked, but then came the twist, which I wasn’t expecting.   Alice uses some beautiful and original language in her descriptions.  It is an emotional read, but hopeful too.

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