by Jessica Barksdale Inclan
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: May 2001
ISBN: 0-451-20282-1
218 pages
Source: My Personal Library
Synopsis (from the back cover):
A moving novel of choices made and chances lost, Her Daughter’s Eyes is a story for anyone who has ever known what it is like to feel alone in the safest place of all – home.
In a quiet house on a sycamore-lined suburban street, Kate Phillips – seventeen and unmarried – is having a baby. But there will be no shame or scandal or disappointment – as long as no one ever finds out. . .
Kate and her younger sister, Tyler, have done everything to prepare for the baby’s arrival. They’ve collected clothing and Dr. Spock books from the nearby Goodwill. They’ve used cardboard to build a makeshift crib, tucked safely away in the bedroom closet. Even with all their secrecy, it’s hard to believe no one has noticed the change, the swollen belly hidden by baggy clothes or the growing number of school absences. But ever since their mother passed away, and their father started spending so much time with his new girlfriend, no one’s paid much attention at all.
Part of Kate wants someone, anyone, to stumble in and discover her secret. And part of her hope that somehow, when the newborn baby is finally in her arms, everything will be okay. . .
My Thoughts:
Seventeen-year-old Kate and fifteen-year-old Tyler are sisters who have basically been abandoned by their father after their mother’s tragic death from breast cancer. Coping with unimaginable grief, their father buries himself in a new relationship and begins a brand new life, living with his girlfriend and her two young children. He stops by to check on his daughters every so often, but they are basically left to their own devices. This makes their current circumstances all the more sad . . . and startling.
Kate is pregnant and only Tyler knows. She will not reveal who the father is for fear of what might happen. Her father is oblivious. The school is clueless. The neighbors have no idea. Kate goes to great lengths to keep the pregnancy a secret from everyone. Kate and Tyler get books on pregnancy and how to care for a baby. The make a crib out of a cardboard box. Tyler – the 15-year-old – is expected to deliver the child.
How these two children (and yes they are children!) manage to do this is utterly shocking. You would think that the father would be portrayed as a monster; yet, he’s not. I actually felt empathy for him.
Let me try to explain.
The death of the wife/mother triggers such an intense grief within the structure of this family that each member fails to deal with their emotions in an emotionally productive way. The father, who says that Kate bears a striking resemblance to his wife, can hardly bear to be around her, so flees to the comfort of a new family, trying to bury the memories and feelings of guilt and grief as best he can. Kate, looking for love in all the wrong places, flees into the arms of someone who makes her feel loved and she ends up pregnant. Tyler is just trying to keep her family together and will do anything that Kate asks. She wants her father to see what is going on so she doesn’t have to betray Kate’s confidence and tell him. But he never sees. In fact, no one ever sees.
This novel is rich in characterization and emotional depth. I was drawn into each character’s psyche as they grappled with their feelings and I felt sadness and grief for each one of them. This is a fast-moving book that will keep you turning the pages to see how everything plays out in the end. There are no “bad guys” here, which is difficult because I wanted to dislike a couple of them! Especially the father of the baby! In that way, it was kind of a hard book to read. I didn’t want to feel empathetic toward some of the characters. But the author provided such depth to each of them that is was hard not to get wrapped up in their individual lives and how each of their back-stories contributed to the current, horrifying situation.
I highly recommend this novel. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
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Challenges
- I read this book as part of the Just for Fun Reading Challenge
(January 2012 selection)
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A good review. I think this is a touching story. But then, even though I haven’t read it to really come to terms or understand the father’s attitude or psyche, I do know that it would be difficult for me to accept his behaviour. From an African perspective, I think that is a selfish attitude. If Kate were out of school, I could maybe accept his behavouir, but thsiis child is still in school, also trying to bear her mother’s loss. Abandoning your kids for another woman’s kids? Well…
The fact the the community fails to see that Kate is pregnant says a lot, either they are uncaring and isolated in their outlook and keeps to themselves or the girls did a great job hiding the pregnancy.
Kate and Tyler are very brave and strong and I admire them a lot.
You have really a very wide thoughts Jessica, I’m always impressed in every creation that you share to us.
I think that is a selfish attitude. If Kate were out of school, I could maybe accept his behavouir, but thsiis child is still in school, also trying to bear her mother’s loss.
This novel is rich in characterization and emotional depth
this is a very informative information.thanks for this book.