Review: "Every Last One" by Anna Quindlen

From Goodreads:  Mary Beth Latham is first and foremost a mother, whose three teenaged children come first, before her career as a landscape gardener, or even her life as the wife of a doctor. Caring for her family and preserving their everyday life is paramount. And so, when one of her sons, Max, becomes depressed, Mary Beth becomes focused on him, and is blindsided by a shocking act of violence. What happens afterwards is a testament to the power of a woman’s love and determination, and to the invisible line of hope and healing that connects one human being with another. Ultimately, in the hands of Anna Quindlen’s mesmerizing prose, Every Last One is a novel about facing every last one of the the things we fear most, about finding ways to navigate a road we never intended to travel, to live a life we never dreamed we’d have to live but must be brave enough to try.
My Thoughts:  After reading the synopsis of this book, I was very interested in reading it.  I think I was most intrigued by the idea of this 'shocking act of violence' and wanted to know what happened.  Well, it was most definitely shocking!  After getting into the story, I had an idea as to what the act of violence might be but I honestly had no clue the author would take it as far as she did.  I was so surprised by how quickly and horribly the story shifts after the event takes place.  (Sorry for being vague, I am really trying not to give anything away!).

Mary Beth was an interesting character.  She tried so hard to be a regular soccer mom with the perfect life and family but it was obvious that this wasn't the case.  I am not saying the fmaily was completely dysfunctional but it seemed that she tried to portray an image of something that didn't really exist.  I definitely liked her more after things happened; she seemed more human and less 'Stepford Wife'.  I think the author did a great job of showing a regular person might deal with their grief after such a tragic incident. 

I must say that I haven't read a book that deals with this subject matter before. I think the author did a good job of making a very accessible story without taking away from the events and emotions she was trying to portray.  Overall, this was a though-provoking read that I am glad I finally got to. 3 1/2 stars.