When The Bough Breaks, Review by Michael Breen
When the Bough Breaks takes two little children from the care of their mother, to their maternal grandparents, to their paternal grandparents and then to a blended stepfamily. That is a lot.
But it is further contaminated by the grandparent asking a child to promise not to love her new stepmother. That seems to block the possible nurturing warmth from a new maternal person.
Barry, Margaret’s father, must have been shattered by the death of his wife while he was a new enlistee in the army posted to Western Australia. Adding to his pain was the charge that he was just trying to get out of an army for which he had volunteered. One doubts if Barry ever really grieved for his wife or instead used denial, workaholism and whisky. Perhaps too he was terrified of losing a second wife’s affection and so gave priority to his new family over Margaret and her sister. Work is such a respectable defence against living a fully human life. Philosopher Joseph Pieper, in “Leisure the Basis of Culture” talks of work; negotium in Latin as the negation of otium meaning rest which is our default state.
“Strong women” or tough women surrounded Barry. He physically sparred with his daughters. Margaret laments his underdeveloped feminine side. Whence though would he have had the models to be more feminine? Margaret’s ambivalence toward her semi absent father, who was scant protection against his second wife, is evident. But he was the only parent she had to love and she did.
Her mother Bunty dying young achieves canonization along with priest Uncle Robert.
But it is further contaminated by the grandparent asking a child to promise not to love her new stepmother. That seems to block the possible nurturing warmth from a new maternal person.
Barry, Margaret’s father, must have been shattered by the death of his wife while he was a new enlistee in the army posted to Western Australia. Adding to his pain was the charge that he was just trying to get out of an army for which he had volunteered. One doubts if Barry ever really grieved for his wife or instead used denial, workaholism and whisky. Perhaps too he was terrified of losing a second wife’s affection and so gave priority to his new family over Margaret and her sister. Work is such a respectable defence against living a fully human life. Philosopher Joseph Pieper, in “Leisure the Basis of Culture” talks of work; negotium in Latin as the negation of otium meaning rest which is our default state.
“Strong women” or tough women surrounded Barry. He physically sparred with his daughters. Margaret laments his underdeveloped feminine side. Whence though would he have had the models to be more feminine? Margaret’s ambivalence toward her semi absent father, who was scant protection against his second wife, is evident. But he was the only parent she had to love and she did.
Her mother Bunty dying young achieves canonization along with priest Uncle Robert.
Reader Comments
I left a little message on your facebook page about your book ’When the Bough Breaks’ – which I have been reading and finding really moving. Somewhat confronting but also really sensitive.
Tein McDonald
Immediately after reading Tree Change I started your “When the Bough Breaks” but put it down after the first chapter – who can read with tears in their eyes? It may sound very strange to you, but just after reading this, I feel I know your heart. I too lost my mother when I was two.
Margaret Vernon
Margaret, I am just letting you know that I am reading When the Bough Breaks and I’m so glad you wrote it. I am finding it both engaging, moving and fascinating
Kathrine Kyriacou
Margaret’s work is impressive. It is the grinding, lonely, unsure work of writing. Her children and their grandchildren can be grateful they have so much to go on.
Michael Breen
Loved the book. Congratulations.
Anon
Tein McDonald
Immediately after reading Tree Change I started your “When the Bough Breaks” but put it down after the first chapter – who can read with tears in their eyes? It may sound very strange to you, but just after reading this, I feel I know your heart. I too lost my mother when I was two.
Margaret Vernon
Margaret, I am just letting you know that I am reading When the Bough Breaks and I’m so glad you wrote it. I am finding it both engaging, moving and fascinating
Kathrine Kyriacou
Margaret’s work is impressive. It is the grinding, lonely, unsure work of writing. Her children and their grandchildren can be grateful they have so much to go on.
Michael Breen
Loved the book. Congratulations.
Anon