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Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Why Us! Where Is Hope! by J. M. Manning is an emotionally charged novel that explores the devastating aftermath of a tragic childhood accident through the perspectives of a grieving family. It chronicles the harrowing journey of Jean and Sam and their daughter, Martha, and others as they struggle with loss, guilt, mental illness, and evil forces threatening their unity. The story vividly depicts the moments surrounding Steven’s accident, his critical condition, and the family’s subsequent mourning. Steven's death is not only devastating. It crushes the couple, and now they fear the same could happen to their daughter, Martha. They have premonitions that something tragic might happen again. Can they prevent it?
J. M. Manning has created a gripping narrative as I observed the characters, especially Sam and Jean, navigating their affairs, hurt, and struggling against their will. It was as though it was happening in real life. I enjoyed the flawed and engaging characters and the author’s ability to make them vivid. The narrative voice captivates, delivering observations and descriptions that reflect the characters' dilemmas. The exploration of themes of loss and grief is superb, and I appreciated how the author portrays the characters' pain, desperation, and the frustrations accompanying the tragic event. I felt how Martha is consumed by guilt and feelings of unworthiness, believing she caused her brother’s death and is unworthy of her mother’s love. The writing style is unique, and the fragments of sentences effectively capture turbulent emotions and the characters' psyches. Why Us! is one of the most outstanding books I have read on grief.
