Novels Alive Blog Gives In the Middle 5-Stars!
As the middle child, Carrie Young has always had a complicated relationship with her mother. Now that she is married with children and a career, she faces unexpected challenges when her mother becomes ill. Author Carin Fahr Shulusky delivers a poignant story with In the Middle.
The storyline reflects a depth of emotions, including fear, guilt, sadness, and resentment. Carrie uses the additional time spent with her mother to learn more about the past. Not only does this serve as a welcome diversion, but it also allows Carrie to get to know her mother as a woman.
Having cared for my mother following a cancer diagnosis, I could relate to the struggle depicted in the story. The debate among the siblings about whether to seek a nursing home is a sobering question that many adult children have to face. Watching Carrie’s relationship with her siblings evolve amid their mother’s health challenges is breathtakingly realistic.
The author excels in delivering characters packed with depth. Carrie’s struggle to balance work, family, and caretaking responsibilities is a common one. Her faith, which has sustained her for so long, makes her question where God is during this time. Carrie’s conversations with those around her provide much food for thought. When Carrie’s own health falters, she has to reevaluate her outlook on life and how she cares for her mother.
In the Middle provides a thought-provoking look at family relationships, responsibilities, and making painful decisions. From start to finish, I found myself within the pages. I highly recommend this story to help others faced with aging parents and competing priorities.
Read the full review here.
Carin Shulusky 